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VOL.  XIV 


JANUARY  16,  1930 


NO.  1 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 
■ cOc 


Greetings  from  Mr . Davison  

Air  Corps  Tactical  School  Defeats  Fog 

Air  Corps  to  Photograph  Prehistoric  Canals  in  Arizona.  . . . 
Intermediate  Landing  Field  Established  at  Midland,  Texas  . . 

New  Airplanes  for  the  Use  of  the  National  Guard 

Let’s  Get  Acquainted  

Wooden  Trophy  Changes  Hands  Frequently  

Altitude  Record  at  Rockwell  Field,  Calif 

Resume  of  Military  Aviation  for  1929  ......  

Unconscious  Airman  Falls  12,Q00  feet  Through  Space  

Army  atid  Navy  Planes  Join-  in  Armistice  Day  Celebration  -Sr.*.  . 
Retirement  of  Lieut.  Aldworth.  . . . 

Bombardment  Squadron  Takes  Nee4$&  Rest  . . . . .v  . . . ... 

Posthumous  Promotion  of  .LiepLt..  Motley.  

Randolph  Field  . . . .-  . a;'.  . • 

Army  Airman  Wins  Philippine  Golf  Championship. • 

Ten  Years  Ago  in  the  News  Letter  

Rockwell  Airman  Lands  in  Sorrento  Canyon  

New  Altitude  Record  for  Pursuit  Plane 

Air  Corps  Reserve  Officer  Shows  Skill  as  Architect  . ^...  . . 
Advanced  Agent  for  Pursuit  Group  Flight  Completes  Mission-.  . 
Pursuiters  patrol  Over  Detroit  During  Funeral  of  Soldiers*.  . 

War  Department  Orders  Affecting  Air  Corps  Officers  

Blanket  Lost  in  Battle  of  Soissons  Just  Returned  to  Owner.  . 
Notes  from  Air  Corps  Fields 


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W-5969, A.C. 

vix  .hov 


VOL.  XIV AIR  CORPS  NEWS. NO.JL 

Information  Division  Munitions  Building 

Air  Coras  January  IS,  1930 Washington . D . C ■ 

The  chief  purpose  of  this  publication  is  to  distribute  information  on 
aeronautics  to  the  flying  personnel  in  the  Regular  Army,  Reserve  Corps,  Rational 
Guard,  and  others  connected  with  aviation. 

0O0 

GREETINGS  EROM  MR.  DAVISON 

I wish  to  take  this  opportunity  to  extend  to  the  officers,  non-commissioned 
* officers,  the  enlisted  men  of  the  Army  Air  Corps  and  their  families  my  most 
-heartfelt  wishes  for  a New  Year  full  of  happiness  and  contentment. 

Important  legislation,'  dealing  with  materiel  as  well  as  personnel,  has 
been  studied  and  discussed  by  Congress  for  some  time,  and  I share  with  all  of 
you  the  sincere  hope  that  those  deliberations  will  bear  fruit  this  year. 

F.  TRUEEE  DAVISON, 

Assistant  Secretary  of  War. 

- — 0O0 

AIR  CORPS  TACTICAL  SCHOOL  DEFEATS  FOG 

They  say  that  the  darkest  hour  usually  comes  before  dawn,  but  according 
to  the  following  story  just  submitted  by  the  News  Letter  Correspondent  from 
Langley  Field,  Va.,  the  above  situation  was  entirely  reversed,  the  dark  hour 
coming  just  before  sunset. 

Our  Correspondent  goes  on  to  say  that  the  Air  Corps  Tactical  School  during 
the  afternoon  of  December  17th  met  the  old  enemy  of  airmen,  fog,  and  though  the 
battle  which  followed  was  not  decisive,  the  honors,  if  any,  lay  with  the  School 
pilots,  who  suffered  no  casualties  of  any  kind  to  personnel,  the  only  losses 
being  one  airplane  completely  wrecked  and  another  damaged  so  that  it  will 
require  complete  overhaul. 

It  all  happened  late  in  the  afternoon  of  a day  which  had. been  given  over 
to  an  all-day  practical  problem  under  the  supervision  of  1st  Lieut.  Clayton  L. 
Bissell,  A.C.,  Pursuit  Instructor  in  the  Tactical  School.  The  entire  command, 
consisting  of  eighteen  Pursuit  ships  and  eight  two-seaters,  had  been  sent  on 
the  last  mission  of  the  day  and  was  to  land  on  the  Langley  Field  airdrome  at 
4:45  P.M.  This  plan  must  have  been  known  to  the  enemy,  for  at  about  4:00  P.M. 
a fog  rolled  in  from  the  east  and  in  a few  minutes  the  post  was  obscured. 

4 Thus,  a new  situation  was  suddenly  injected  into  this  particular  problem  and, 

• in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  Pursuit  ships  would  have  about  exhausted  their 
gasoline  supply,  quick  action  was  necessary. 

At  about  4:45  the  first  airplanes  were  heard  flying  toward  the  field.  All 
landing  lights,  obstacle  lights  and  the  beacon  had  been  turned  on  to  guide  the 
pilots,  and  arrangements  were  made  to  burn  magnesium  flares  on  the  flying 
field  in  the  hope  that  the  pilots  would  be  able  to  see  them.  Signal  lights 
were  fired  from  the  ground  and  from  the  water  tank.  Vertical  visibility  ap- 
peared to  be  better  than  lateral  visibility,  but  the  pilots  would  require 
visibility  in  all  directions  to  land  successfully. 

Soon  there  were  many  airplanes  flying  over  the  field  and  evidently  some 
of  the  pilots  were  attempting  to  land.  Two  three-ship  formations  could  be 
dimly  seen  flying  over  the  field  at  about  500  feet.  The  fact  that  they  were 
keeping  a fairly  close  formation  indicated  that  they  were  not  in  the  fog  at 
that  altitude.  Then  it  was  evident  that  a Pursuit  ship  was  attempting  to  land. 
It  could  be  heard  as  it  glided  in,  the  pilot  evidently  feeling  for  the  field. 

The  next  sound  indicated  that  it  was  on  the  ground  and  taxying  to  the  line. 

The  pilot  was  2nd  Lieut.  E.M.  Day,A.C.  He  stated  that  after  flying  around  in 
what  he  thought  was  the  vicinity  of  the  field  he  suddenly  saw  the  beacon  only 
a short  distance  away.  That  gave  him  his  location  and  down  to  the  landing  he 
came,  gradually  feeling  his  way. 

Then  came  a telephone  eall  that  a ship  had  crashed  on  "Tom  Jones"  farm 
near  New  Bridge  Creek  on  the  Back  River  Road.  Meager  information  - but  a Med- 
ical Officer,  an  Engineering  Officer  and  crew  were  dispatched  to  locate  it. 

It  turned  out  to  be  Capt . H.W.Flickinger  who  had  struck  a tree  in  landing  the 
U.S.M.G,  F6-C3  which  he  was  flying,  completely  washing  out  the  ship,  but  coming 

- 1 - V-5969,A.C. 


out'  of  it  himself  uninjured. 

In  the  meantime,  three  other  single-seaters  had  landed  on  the  airdrome 
and  had  taxyed  tc  the  hangars.  Rumors  were  being  spread  to  the  effect  that  two 
pilots  had  j unroe d and  that  a ship  had  crashed  near  the  airship  hangar.  None  of 
these  rumors  had  any  foundation. 

A little  after  five  a telephone  call  came  reporting  several  ships  down 
near  Hilton  Village,  without  injury  to  pilots  or  ships  except  Major  B.K. Yount, 
A.C.,  who  had  been  injured  when  his  P-1  was  wrecked  in  landing.  However,  it 
wasn’t  long  before  Major  Yount  called  by  phone  to  deny  that  he  had  even  so 
much  as  a scratch.  This  report  lessened  the  tension  to  a great  degree,  but 
there  were  still  twelve  airplanes  to  be  accounted  for.  Several  minutes  passed 
without  news.  The  ' single-seaters  must  be  on  the  ground  as  their  gas  supply  r, 

mast  be  exhausted.  The  two-seaters 

had  sufficient  fuel  to  go  to  Richmond,  or  further  if  necessary.  Pinally  a 
phone  call  came.  Name  after  name  was  given  over  the  phone  and  the  list  was 
checked  against  that  on  the  School  Operations  blackboard.  Every  ship  and  every 
pilot  was  accounted  for.  Personnel  O.K.  - two  ships  wrecked.  A yell  of  joy 
went  up  from  the  crowd  assembled  in  the  office.  Who  cared  about  two  ships  when 
the  pilots  were  all  right?  The  Commandant  and  the  Assistant  Commandant  slapped 
each  other  on  the  back,  both  talking  at  once  in  a relief  from  the  tension  and 
expressing  joy  that  all  was  well  after  a hectic,  harrowing  hour. 

As  for  the  ships  which  were  several  miles  from  the  field  and  must  be 
brought  back  — ask  the  Engineering  Officer. 

cOo ■■ 

AIR  CORPS  TO  PHOTOGRAPH  .PREHISTORIC  CANALS  IN  ARIZONA 

Upon  the  request  pf  Smithsonian  Institute  officials  the  Assistant  Secretary 
of  War  for  Aeronautics',  Honorable  E.  T-rubee  Davison,  has  authorized  the  Army 
Air  Corps  to  make  aerial  photographs  of  prehistoric  irrigation  canals  near 
Phoenix,  Arizona.  Prom  an  archeological  standpoint,  these  ancient  canals  are 
extremely  interesting  and  .of  great  value  as  a subject  of, study.  They  are  fast 
becoming  obliterated  by  local  farmers  and  present-day  irrigation  projects. 

The  canals  are  situated  along  the  -Gila  and  Salt  Rivers.  , 

An  officer  pilot,  -enlisted  photographer  and  airplane  are  being  ordered  from 
Crissy  Field,  Gan  Francisco,  California,  for  the  purpose. 

■ - — 0O0--- 

INTERMEDI ATE, LANDING  FIELD  ESTABLISHED  .AT  MIDLAND,  TEXAS 

The  Secretary  of  War  has  authorized  the  establishment  of  an  intermediate 
landing  field  at  Midland,  Texas.  The  personnel. for  this  field  will  consist  of 
four  enlisted  men  of  the  Air  Corps  and  two  from  the  Signal  Corps. 

The  Chief  Signal  Officer,  Major -General  George  S.  Gibbs,  will  furnish  the 
necessary  meteorological  personnel  and  equipment  for  the  establishment  of  the 
necessary  meteorological  service  at  the  field.  The  citizens  of  Midland  have 
agreed  to  dismantle  a surplus  hangar  at . Biggs  Field,  Fort  Bliss,  Texas,  and  re- 
erect it  at  Midland.  They  have  also  . agreed  tc  construct  buildings  to  house 
the  personnel  of  the  field. 

The  personnel  for  the  manning  of  the  field  will  be  sent  tc  Midland  when 
the  necessary  buildings  for  it  haye  been  provided. 

Tvr-oOC  — 

NEW  AIRPLANES-  FOR  THE  USE.  OF  THE  NATIONAL  GUARD 

One.  new. airplane,  Observation  type,  has  been. assigned  to  the  118th  Observa- 
tion Squadron,  Connecticut  National,  Guard,  stationed  at  Hartford,  Connecticut, 
one  to  the  104th  Observation  Squadron,  Maryland  National  Guard,  stationed  at 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  one  to  the  11th  Observation  Squadron,  Texas  National 
Guard,  stationed  at  Houston,  Texas. 

These  planes  will  be  ferried  from  the  factory  to  their  home  stations  by 
Regular  Army’  personnel  on  duty:  with;  the.  National  Guard  of  the  state  concerned. 

When  delivery  of  the  planes  has  been . completed  each  of  these  squadrons 
will  have  five  available  planqs  of  this  type  ready  for  use. 


Y-5969,A.C 


! LET’S  GET  ACQUAINTED 

• Under' the  above  title,  Major  S .T . Stewart,  U.S.Army,  contributed  an: inter- 
esting article  in  the  December  issue  of  the  Coast  Artillery  Journal,  which  we 
take  the  liberty  of  quoting  below,  as  fellows: 

"Shortly  after  the  war  the  Coast  Artillery  Journal  published  a story  about 
an  officer  who  believed  prior  tc  1917,  that  the  Coast  Artillery  had  stagnated, 
that  it  was  "tied  to  the  concrete"  and  had  no  future.  He  therefore  transferred 
to  the  Cavalry  -and  later,  when  the  war  came  had  tc  become  a Eield  Artilleryman 
to  see  action.  The  point  is  that  at  the  time  the  story  was  published  we  were 
realizing  we  had  cur  hands  full  with  tractor  and  railroad  artillery,  anti-air- 
craft guns  and  equipment,  and  a few  ether  things  which  had  developed  during  the 
war  and  carried  with  them  many  unsolved  problems  sufficient  to  interest  any  man 
and  challenge  the  best  of  us. 

"I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  many  people  in  and  out  of  the  Army  - but 
particularly  those  out  - even  now  think  the  Coast  Artillery  is  on  its  last  legs. 
This  is  evidenced  by  the  "El ash"  which  went  over  the  country  announcing  that 
the  Coast  Artillery  was  to  be  discontinued  as  a result  of  the  President's 
"Retrenchment  Study" . 

"Again  we  see  in  LIBERTY  MAGAZINE  a partisan  of  the  "Sky  Army"  stating 
that  the  coast  defenders  might  just  as  well  begin  to  look  for  other  jobs. 

"Lord  save  us!  If  these  people  only  knew  what  we  know  they  would  know  we 

have  plenty  of  jobs  right  now  and  that  the  Air  Corps,  far  from  wanting  us 

thrown  out,  realize  we  are  their  best  friends;  that  we  are  not  rival  branches 
but  complementary-auxiliary  arms  both  respecting  and  needing  the  other,  both 
seeing  greater  possibilities  in  the  future.  The  tactics  - or  why  and  wherefore 
of  this  is  another  story  (known  (?)  to  graduates  of  Leavenworth  at  any  rate) 
and  too  long  for  this  one,  but  if  the  general  public  were  better  acquainted 
with  us,  they  would  not  be  so  apt  to  write  such  things  - or  believe  them, either. 

"The  Air  Corps  has  grown  in  the  last  decade  and  its  possibilities  are  tre- 

mendous - so  much  so  that  any  man's  guess  for  the  future  is  as  good  as  another's 
But  so  have  WE  grown.  The  reason  air  forces  are  so  much  talked  about  is  that 
aviation  is  being  carried  forward  in  civil  life  as  well  as  military.  It  is 
new  and  it  appeals  tc  the  public. 

"The  work  of  the  Coast  Artillery  is  almost  purely  a military  science  and 
its  promotion  is  the  result  of  hard,  intensive  study  by  the  Corps  on  remote 
pests,  by  Ordnance  and  Signal  Corps  in  proving  ground  or  in  laboratory,  or  by 
staff  studies  or  otherwise  - in  ways  not  known  to  the  civilian,  without  blar- 
ing of  trumpets  or  flashing  across  the  sky. 

"The  people  simply  do  not  realize  what  is  going  on.  One  personal  example 
was  when  a lady  in  Honolulu  informed  me  that  Diamond  Head  contained  the  great- 
est guns  in  the  world;  that  twelve-inch  mortars  were  there  shooting  ten  miles  - 
"and  wasn't  it  wonderful".  The  day  before  I had  seen  a sixteen-inch  gun  seven- 
ty-five feet  long  shoot  a projectile,  weighing  almost  as  much  as  the  mortar 
over  forty  thousand  yards,  and  it  wasn't  in  Diamond  Head,  either.  I had  seen 
Captain  Braly's  battery  of  anti-aircraft  guns,  old  model,  cut  the  towline  of 
an  anti-aircraft  target  at  night  at  the  ceiling.  And  she  didn't  know  THAT. 

"Many  people  fctill  think  of  us  as  immobile  troops,  living  a life  of  ease 
in  pleasant  houses  on  the  water  front,  ready  to  point  obsolete  guns  at  obsolete 
battleships  when  they  get  too  close  to  shore. 

"What  does  the  general  public  know  of  subaqueous  range  finding,  of  rail- 
way artillery,  of  remote  and  electrically  controlled  anti-aircraft  equipment, 
of  automatic  belt-fed  anti-aircraft  machine  guns  - four  in  one,  or  the  use  of 
these  weapons  to  make  a safe  rendezvous  for  the  Navy  or  to  cover  a division, 
corps  or  army  area?  What  does  it  know  of  beach  defense  against  an  overseas 
expedition?  If  not,  why  not?  It  is  easy  tc  say  "Let's  get  acquainted",  but 
another  story  to  carry  this  out  in  these  days  of  "No  leave  in  the  summer  time". 

"Much  of  our  stuff  IS  scientific  and  dry.  Anti-aircraft  target  practice 
can  not  be  carried  out  over  New  York  City'  and  aviators  are  not  voluntarily  ex- 
pendable, but  there  is  much  that  can  be  made  of  interest,  much  that  can  be 
done  if  there  is  the  will  and  IE  A THING  HAS  TO  HE  DONE,  IT  CAN  BE  DONE. 

"There  is  the  old  story  of  the  two  frogs  who  fell  into  the  pail  of  milk. 

One  said,  "The  sides  are  high,  there  is  no  footing  to  let  me  jump  out,  so  there 
is  nothing  for  me  to  do  but  die"  - and  he  did.  The  other  one  said,  "I  can 
swim.  I *m  alive.  Something  may  turn  up."  He  kept  paddling,  churned  a cake 
of  butter  and  jumped  over  the  side  of  the  pail.  If,  therefore,  we  think  that 

- 3 - V-5969, A.C. 


the  work  of  gaining  public  contact  is  hard,  or  if  various  ways  suggested  seem 
puerile  or  foolish,  just  keep  paddling  and  hatter  may  form  under  our  feet. 

We  never  know  what  will  happen  until  we  try. 

"Several ■y/ays  of  keeping' in  touch  with  the  people  suggest  themselves; 
first,  the  Reserve  and- the  National  Guard  officer.  He  is,  in  everyday  life, 
a civilian  out  he  is  interested  in  the  Coast  Artillery  (or  some  other  branch) 
or  he  would  not  hold  the' commission.  . Although  a part  of  the  "One  Big  Army" 
he  is  also,  a part  of  the  general  public,,  with  contacts  and  influence  not  open 
to  the  Regular  establishment.  Why  not  make  him  feel  at  home  at  the  nearest 
post?  On  some  posts  there  may  be  an  officer  particularly  fitted  for  making, 
these  contacts,  one  who  could  bear  the  brunt  of  this  work.  But  if  not,  it 
would  be  a good  thing  for  every,  officer  to  know  that  the  "Old  man"  wanted  every 
Reserve  officer  or  R.O.T.C.  student  to  know  that  he  was  welcome  on  the  post  as 
a member  of  the  Army,  welcome  at  the  mess  or  club,  welcome  .to  watch  drills,  at 
target  practice,  or  to  poke  around  the  supply  room  or  battery  and  see  and  feel 
army  equipment,  to  know  what  is  going  on.  I believe  the  average  Reserve  offi- 
cer would  pay  his  own  way  - that  is,  not  expect  any  expenditure  by  way  of. en- 
tertainment, or,  if  he  received  it,  would  pay- back  in  enlarged  measure.  That 
has  been  my  exoerience  over  a good  many  years  in  various  kinds  of  work.  The 
college  man  may  need  some  education  along  this  line  due  to  youth  and  inexper- 
ience, but  many  of  them  would  be  glad  to  eat  in  the  battery  mess,  and  pay  for 
it,  just  to  get  into  the  atmosphere.  Many  officers  and  candidates  would  like 
to  watch  the  preparation  of  a mess  in  an  army  kitchen,  watch  an  inspection,  or 
view  the  daily  drill. 

"There  are  a" hundred  thrills  in  a harbor  defense  for  the  average  civilian. 
Why  not  invite  the  public  to  partake  cf  an  army  meal  on  the  day  of  a big  shoot 
or  a special  review?  Make  provision  only  for  these  who  drop  a line  or  telephone 
saying  they  will  be  there  and  pay  their  fifty  cents.  Some,  other  day  have  the. 
Legion  and  Veterans  cf  Foreign  Wars  as  a select  group. 

The  officer,  on  Organized  Reserve  or  National  Guard  duty  can  let  it  be 
known  that  he  will  always  be  glad,  to  see  those- interested  in  military,  affairs, 
that  he  has  the  latest  army  directory,  latest  ax*my  regulations,  or  training 
regulations.  Lots  of  ways,  he  can. find  to  make,  himself  known  and  to  -make  friends 
if  he  keeps  paddling.  • 

Then  comes  the  general  public.  When  I was  at  -Jefferson  Barracks  a few 
years  ago  twenty-three  tlmmsand  people  responded  to  ,the  invitation  of  the  Com- 
manding Officer  to  come  out  for  a Memorial  Day-  celebration.  He  made  a speech 
which  was  reported  in  the  newspapers  and  reached  thousands  of  others.  Coast 
Artillery  posts  near  large  cities  have  an'  unusual  opportunity  to  stage  events 
of  this  sort  and  in  these  days  of  the  automobile  and  good  roads  anything  up 
to  one  hundred  miles  is  neighborly.  But. the  general  public  must  be  made  to 
feel  welcome,  to  know,  that  they  are  not  going  to  be  stopped  or  embarrassed  by 
a sentry.,  that  they  may  dare  go  inside  the  gate  without  something  unpleasant 
happening.  Put  up  a sign  board  at  the  entrance,  "Visitors  welcome",  in  big 
letters  and  under  it,  "For  information  apply  at,  Bldg..  No.  10".  If  there  are 
spots  which  they  should  not  visit,  a neat,-  well-painted  notice  (not  a worn-out 
dingy  one.  which  looks  like  a war  relic)  ought  to  steer  them  right.  Automc bil- 
ists today  are  accustomed  to  watching  signs  and  have  learned  that  it  pays  to 
observe  them..  Allow  them  near  the  batteries  and  on  special  days  have  the  gun 
commanders  and  plotters  around  to  explain  things. 

"Last  but  not  least  are  the  newspapers  and  news  reels.  If  I were  a. post 
commander  of  Fort  "Sixteen-Inch"  or  Fort  "Room  21,  Federal  Building",  I would 
make  it  a point  to  know  at  least-  one  reporter  or  city  editor  on  each  paper  in 
my  neighborhood  (Remember  that  one  hundred  miles .)  and  I would  see  to  it  that 
every,  time  something  happened  or  was  going  to  haopen,  that  they  knew  about  it. 

I would  see  to  it  that  they,  felt  at  home. in  my  headquarters,  free  to  drop  in 
whenever  they  .-felt  like  it,:  and  glad  to  .see  me  if  I called-  at  theirs.  And  that 
if  on  any  -particular  occasion  I had  on  1115/  hardboiled  face.,  they  would  know  that 
behind  it  was-  the  possibility  of  a grin -and  a human  point  of  view.  I would 
have  a feature  writer  ride  - the  tug  at  mine  practice,  correspondents  ride  a 
plane  at  an  anti—  aircraft, ..shoot stand  beside  the  group  of  battery  commanders 
and  see  them  sweat  , and  swear,  later  telling- (them  what  it  was  all  about.  Human 
interest  is  what . they  are,  after  and  they  could  find  it...  This  goes  for  the 
photographer^,  too,.  ... 

"Soma  one  in  -every  organization  should  be  on  the  lookout  for  stories  with 
news  value.  ; Some  one  person  should,  collect  these,  if  on  a large  post,  edit 

. - 4 - V-5969,A.C. 


them  and  see  that  they  got  out  while  hot,  even  if  tke  editing  suffered i That 
is  another  thing  all  papers  want  and  appreciate.  If  I didn’t  know  news  value 
I would  get  some  military  intelligence  Reserve  man  to  put  me  wise.  That  is 
i a "can  don.  Item:  As  a major  of  the  Reserve  has,  to  ray  knowledge,  in  the  past 
several  years,  guided  the  publicity  of  a whole  corps  area  just  because,  being 
a mighty  decent,  busy  sort  of  a chap,  he  appreciated  a little  interest  and 
"Welcome,  glad  to  see  you"  at  the  right  time. 

"We  have  many  things  in  the  Coast  Artillery  which  are,  in  spite  of  the 
technical  aspect  of  some  of  them,  of  great  potential  news  value,  particularly 
for  newspaper  feature  sections.  Some  of  them  need  the  point  of  view  of  the 
trained  writer  to  translate  thorn  for  the  general  public.  Some  of  them  will 
interest  technical  men  and  some  the  military  "bug".  The  October  JOURNAL  con- 
; tains  two  such  stories:  "What  We  Have  Done  with  the  155  GPF"  and  "What  Captain 
i Braly  Did  with  His  1 B1  Battery".  "The  Sound  Locating  Horn,  What  It  Is,  and 
How  It  Came  About",  is  another  one.  Possibly  the  editor  of  the  JOURNAL  ought 
to  add  this  work  to  his  list  of  duties. 

"Talks  on  the  more  technical  subjects  should  be  of  interest  to  engineering 
societies.  We 'have  many  able  men  in  the  corps  and  it  should  not  be  difficult 
to  obtain  recognition  for  them.  Bodies  of  insurance  men  would  be  interested 
in  a talk  on  the  "Coast  Artillery  as , Insurance"  . The  Kiwanis,  Rotary,  City 
Clubs,  and  business  men’s  organisations  of  many  kinds  would  welcome  officers 
as  speakers  at  their  luncheons  or  dinners  with  .-carefully  thought  out  and  pre- 
pared papers  discussing  any  one  of  a dozen  topics  with  which  we  are  familiar. 
"What  the  Coast  Artillery  is  Doing",  "How  to  Hit  an  Airplane  by  Day  or  Night", 
"Controlled  Mines  and  How  They  Are  Handled",  "The  Anti-Aircraft  Regiment  in 
Attack  and  Defense",  are  suggestions. 

"If  I were  a post  commander,  I would  have  the  name  of  every  officer,  past 
or  future,  Regular  or  Reserve,  in  my  neighborhood,  and  at  least  once  a year 
I would  have  an  open  house  of  some  kind,  and  see  that  a personal  invitation 
went  to  every  one  of  them  to  come  and  get  acquainted.  Every  officer  cn  the 
post  would  be  a member  of  the  reception  committee  and  do  his  part  tc  make 
©very  one  happy. 

"I  would  do  likewise  with  city  and  government  officials  and  see  that  any 
friends  they  sent  out  at  any  time  with  a card  of  introduction  were  shown  every 
courtesy  possible.  It  would  not  be  difficult  tc  lead  conversation  into  inter- 
esting channels.  Let  the  public  into  our  confidence,  whether  just  curious, 
whether  after  news,  or  just  plain  "bug"  and  see  what  happens.  Out  of  little 
things  big  ones  grew.  "WE  know  what  we  have,  let  the  others  find  out.  Let’s 
get  acquainted. 

— -cOc 

1 WOODEN  TROPHY  CHANGES  HANDS  FREQUENTLY 

Several  officers  have  displayed  remarkable  ability  in  landing  Amphibians 
cn  the  Field  with  their  wheels  up,  according  tc  the  News  Letter  Correspondent 
from  Luke  Field,  T.H.  He  goes  cn  to  say  that  none  of  these  so-called  dry  land- 
ings were  very  serious  or  damaged  any  of  the  ships,  and  that  it  is  remarkable 
what  these  "ducks"  will  stand  and  still  fly  away. 

Major  Maxwell  Kirby,  Commanding  Officer  of  Luke  Field,  has  donated  a Wooden 
Loving  Cup,  and  each  dry-landing  earns  a handle  on  this  trophy  for  the  pilot 
concerned.  Thus  far  the  following  pilots  have  earned  this  doubtful  honor: 
Lieuts.  Russell  L.  Williamson,  George  V.  McPike,  Thomas  L.  Gilbert,  Harold  Lee 
George,  Captains  Calvin  E.  Giffin  and  Frank  H.  Pritchard. 

— -0O0 

ALTITUDE  RECORD  AT  ROCKWELL  FIELD,  CALIF. 

Lieut.  Norman  H.  Ives,  Air  Corps,  attached  to  the  95th  Pursuit  Squadron  at 
Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif.,  does  not  appear  to  be  super st it iously  in- 
i clined.  On  the  prize  "Jinx"  day  of  them  all,  Friday,  December  13th,  he  took 
off  in  a Boeing  P-12  airplane,  equipped  with  a military  load,  and  reached  an 
altitude  of  30,000  feet. 

The  News  Letter  Correspondent  believes  this  to  be  the  record  altitude  for 
Pursuit  planes.  He  states  that  any  knowledge  as  to  greater  altitudes  will  be 
appreciated  but  adds  that  until  same  is  received  Rockwell  Field  will  consider 
that  it  holds  the  record. 


- 5 - 


V-5969,A„C. 


. RESUME  OE  MILITARY  AVIATION  EOR  1929 

A resumo  of  'the  activities  of.:- the- -.Army  .Air  Corps  'for  1929-r indicates  that 
it  was  a satisfactory  year  in  accomplishments  and- progress  in  &ll  departments 
of  aviation..;  Satisfactory  results:  in- aeronautical  engineering  were  obtained; 
several  record  flights  were  made  by?  Array  flyers  and  the  training  in;  the*  pchcols 
and  throughout  the  Air  Corps  hds  shewn  ImprOjVement  both  in  the  number  who  -have 
graduated  from  the  schools  and  in  the  character  of  the  training.  . ■ 

Early ' in  1929  the  Air' Corps 'Materiel  Division  at  Wright  Eield,  Ohio,  an- 
nounced the  final  successful  tests  on  what  is-  popularly  known  as  the  "Prestone- 
cooling,,  system  for  liquid-coclod  airplane  motors.  Through  the  use  of  this 
liquid,  glyco;l;~e-thylene,'  for  motor  cooling  they  succeeded  ih  reducing  the  size 
of  the  radiator '70$  and  decreasing  the  weight,  considerably.  This  system  was 
given  a thorough  service  test  in  a small  single-seater- Purshit  plane,  a Curtiss 
"Hawk11 , powered  ^ifh  a 12-cylinder  Curtiss  V-type  motor -of  400  horsepower.  One 
glance  at  this  airplane  so  equipped,  with;its  sleek,  racy' lines,  is  sufficient 
to  make  one  realize,  the  advantages  obtained  by  the  use  of  this  cooling  system, 
Such  as  weight  reduction  and  increased  streamlining  of  fuselage. 

This  past  year  has  also  seen  the  last  of  the  famous  Liberty  motors  as  a 
standard  installation  for  Army  planes.  Born  during  the  war,  and  changed  in 
small  details  from  time  to  time,  this  motor  outlived  its  usefulness-  and.  was 
replaced  with  more  modern  types,  both-air  and  liquid-cooled.  The  appropria- 
tions Act  for  the  current  fiscal  year  sounds  its  death  knell.  "None  of  the 
money  appropriated  in  this  Act",  it  says,  "Shall  be  used  for  the  purchase  of 
any  airplane,  ordered  after  the  approval  of  this  Act,  which  is  equipped  or 
propelled  by  a Liberty  motor  or  by.  any  motor  or  airplane  engine  purchased  or 
constructed  prio.r  to  July  1,  1920." 

New  equipment’  has  been  the  order  of  -the  year.  Pursuit  planes  have  had 
motors  equipped  with  Prestone-cocling  systems  and  with  superchargers.  -Many 
Observation  planes  have  recently  been. ordered,  one  type  with  water-cooled, 
motors  for , tactical  units  and  the  other  type.,  with  dual  controls  and  air-cooled 
motors  for  use  as  advanced  training  planes. 

Very-important  in  one  respect  is  the  adoption  of  the  heavy  Bombardment 
plane,  known  to  us.  as  the  "B-2"  and  outside  of  the  service  as  the . -"Curtiss 
Condor  Bomber".  This  dual  motored  plane  is  an  adaptation  of  the  Curtiss 
Condor  transport  and  is  the  first  case  in  which  the  Air; Corps  has  adopteda 
truly  "convertible"  plane,  one ‘that  in  the  event  of  an  emergency  could,  be 
converted  from  a commercial ' to  5 a military  plane  either  on  the  production  line 
at  the  factory  or  at  a repair  depot  from  planes  actually  engaged -in  commercial 
aviation  at  the  time. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1929,  a radical  departure  from  the  past  was  made 
when  a dual-motored,  three-place  monoplane  was  ordered  for  contemplated  service 
test  as  a long-range  Observation' plane ; and  a two -place  Pursuit  plane  was  or- 
dered’vfor  similar  tests.  The.  May  maneuvers  in  Ohio  confirmed  previous  ideas 
on  the  need  of  these  two  tvpes. 

Training  activities  we:'e  carried  on  with  the  usual  vigor.  During  the 
past  year  57  officers,  2 non-commissioned  officers  and. 244  flying  cadets  were 
graduated  as  pilots  from  the  Advanced  Plying  School  at  Kelly  Pield,  Texas,  and 
12  others  graduated  from  the  "Spedial  Observers’  Course  at  this  same  -school. 
There  were  577  graduates  from  courses  given  at  the  Air  Corps  Technical -School 
at  Chanute  Pield,  Illinois.  Of  these,  13  were  officers,  517  Air  Corps  enlist- 
ed men  and  the  remaining  47  were  f-hdin  other  arms  of -the  Government  service 
and  from  the  Armies,  of  foreign  nations.  Prom  the  Air  Corps  Tactical.  School  at 
Langley  Pield,  Virginia,  there  were  24  graduates.-  Of  these,  14  were:  Air  Corps 
officers,  8 officers  from  other  branches  of  the  service  and  2 officers  from 
the  armed  force  .of  other  nations. 

The  classification  system  of  all  Air  Corps  -Reserve  officers,  started  in 
operation  in  1928,  was  completed  at  the  close  of  the  fiscal  year  June  30,1929. 
As  a result, it  was  found  that,  of  the  5800  or  more  Reserve  officers,  we  had 
but  1500  who  were  qualified  to  pilot  planes  with  trie  required  degree  of  pro- 
ficiency, and  of  this  1500,  hui  600  who  were  qualified  to  act  as  pilots  of 
service  type  planes  on  tactical  missions  without  the  need  of  a refresher  course 
of  flying.  This  number  of  Group  I pilots,  as  they,  are  called,  is:  small,  but 
it  has  increased  rapidly  in  the  last  six  months.  The,  survey,  however,  ascer- 
tained definitely  that  the  number  of  good  and  fair  pilots,  and  the  number  of 
Reserve  officers  qualified  to  assume  active  duties  .with  tactical  squadrons  in 

-6-  V~5969,A.C. 


case  of  emergencj*- . 

As  far  as  flying  activities  go,  the  year  has  been  Successful . The  6|-  days’ 
duration  flight  of  the  Army's  "Question  Mark"  not  only  tended  to  demonstrate 
the  high  standard  of  flying  ability  reached  by  our  pilots  and  the  excellence 
of  our  adopted  types  of  planes,  but  it  also  paved  the  way  for  flights  of  a sim*- 
ilar  nature  by  civilian  aviators.  These  culminated  in  the  record  of  420  hours 
and  21  minutes,  or  17|  days,  made  by -Jackson  and. 0* Brine  late  in  the  year. 

Quite  a number  of  notable  long-distance  flights  were  made  during  the  year, 
thus  giving  evidence  that  flying  equipment  is  reliable  in  character.  Army 
pilots  in  a transport  plane,  made  the  flight  from  Dayton,  Ohio,  to  France  Field, 
Canal  Zone,  in  38  hours  and  40  minutes.  Another  notable  flight  was  the  one 
made  in  the  other  direction,  from  France  Field  to  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  a distance 
of  2030  miles,  completed  the  same  day  the  plane  took  off  from  its  starting 
point  in  the  tropics.  A third  interesting  flight  over  the  same  route  was  the 
one  participated  in  by  France  Field  pilots,  who  proceeded  to  Langley  Field,  Va., 
in  one  Pursuit  and  two  Observation  planes,.  to  take  part  in  the  Annual  Aerial 
Gunnery  Matches.  These  pilots  returned  to  their  proper  station  in  the  Zone  in 
the  same  planes. 

A flight,  which  at  the  time  received  very  little  attention  from  those 
outside  the  service,  was  the  one  made  by  a formation  of  nine  Bombardment  planes, 
under  the  command  of  Major  Hugh  J.  Knerr,  from  Langley  Field,  Virginia,  to 
Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif.  . The  trip  West  was  made  in  exceptionally  good 
time.  The  return  to  Langley  Field  was  made  in  easy  stages. 

High  altitude  flying  was  not.  neglected,,  for  quite  a number  were  made,  chief 
among  them  being  the  one  participated  in  by  Lieut.  Harry  A.  Johnson  and  Capt. 
Albert  W.  Stevens,  photographer,  when  a record  of  3.5,611  feet  for  biplace 
planes  with,  full  load,  was  attained.  Two  young  Army  pilots,  Li-euts.  Gregg  and 
Woodring,  engaged  in  combat  maneuvers  in  Pursuit  planes  at  an  altitude  of 
25,000  feet. 

A flight  under  the  auspices  other  than  that  of  the  Air  Corps  but  which 
received  considerable  attention  the  world  over,  was  that  credited  to  one  of  the 
most  famous  of  our  Air  Corps  pilots,  Lieut.  James  H.  Doolittle,  when  he  made 
a complete  flight,  including  take-off.  and  landing,  solely  with  the  aid  cf  his 
instruments,  thus  approximating  10.0$  fog-flying  conditions. 

A striking  demonstration  cf  the  great  advance  made  in  the  science  of  aer- 
ial photography  was  recently  given  by  Capt.  Albert  W.  Stevens.  This  officer 
piloted  by  Lieut.  John  D.  Ccrkille,  proceeded  cn  a photographic  expedition 
from  Dayton  to  the  Northwest,  and  during  the  course  thereof  made  an  aerial 
photograph  of  Mt . Rainier  from  a distance  of  227  miles.  At  the  time  cf  ex- 
posure Mt . Rainier  was  beyond  the  photographer's  range  cf  vision. 

Several  ihspection  flights  of  considerable  length  from  .2,000  to  20,000 
miles,  were  made  by  the  Air  Corps  off icers,  carrying  General  Staff  officers 
and  high  government  officials.  Honorable  F.  Trubee  Davison,  Assistant  Secre- 
tary of  War  for  Aeronautics,  and  Representative  W.  Frank  James,  Chairman  of 
the  House  Military  Affairs  Committee,  hold  the  record  of  7,000  and  20,000  miles 
respectively. 

In  May  cf  the  past  year  there  were  facing  each  other,  in  the  simulated 
combat  conditions  of  a combined  maneuver,  over  250  planes  of  all  types.  These 
planes  were  assembled  at  Wright  Field  and  Norton  Field  in  the  maneuvers  held 
in  Ohio . All  these  planes  were  flown  from  their  home  stations  in  various- parts 
of  the  country  to  the  scene  cf  the  maneuvers  and  upon  the  completion  of  same 
two  weeks  later  were  flown  back  again.  Many  lessons  for  future,  application 
were  learned  during  these  maneuvers,  both  from  an  engineering  and  a tactica.1 
nature . 

cOo 

UNCONSCIOUS  AIRMAN  FALLS  12,000  FEET  THROUGH  SPACE 

During  a high  altitude  test  conducted  at  Rockwell  Field, Coronado , Calif., 
on  Dec.  10th  last,  Lieut.  D.D. Graves,  A.C.,  attached  to  the  95th  Pursuit  Squad- 
ron became  unconscious  when  a fitting  on  his  oxygen  tank  suddenly  failed  to 
.function,  as  a result  of  which  he  lost  consciousness  before  becoming  aware  of 
the  failure  of  the  oxygen  supply.  The  plane  lurched  into  a tail  spin, and  at 
1.5., 000  feet  altitude  he  began  to  recover.  So  fast  was  his  drop, however,  that  the 
plane  had  reached  13,000  feet  before  he  regained  his  faculties  sufficiently  to 
grasp  the  controls.  He  effected  a safe  landing. 

Lieut.  Graves  had  gone  aloft  to  test  a Pursuit . plane  in  combat  maneuvers 
at  an  altitude  of  25,000  feet.  The  test  was  part  of.^tho  winter  schedule  of 
high  altitude  maneuvers  at  Rockwell  Field.  Formation  flying  in  groups  of  three 
at  an- altitude  of  25,000  feet  is  contemplated  very  shortly. 

- 7 - 


V~5969,A.C 


ARMY  and  NAVY  PLANES  JOIN  IN  ARMISTICE  day.  celebration 

The  Army  and  Navy  helped  the  Territory  of  Hawaii  observe  Armistice  Day 
with  spectacular  formation  flights  which  entertained  the  throngs  of  people  in 
Honolulu. 

Twenty-two  Army  planes,  including  several  types.,,  crossed  the  city.  The 
formation  was  led  by  a "flight  of  six  Amphibian  planes,  '.followed  by  an  equal 
number  of  De  Havilands . Next  came  three  Martin  Bombers,  and  high  above  them 
all  were  six  PW  Pursuit  planes  from  Wheeler  Pield. 

The  Arms’-  formation  was  followed  by  a large  flight  of  Navy  planes  a few 
miles  to  the  rear  and  farther  seaward.  The  entire  formation  of  both  Army  and 
Navy  planes  totaled  57  in  all. 

.Off  Diamond  Head  a flight  of  five  Army  planes  left  the  larger  format ioh 
and  proceeded  to  the  Island  of  Hawaii,  where  assistance'  was  rendered  the  town 
of  Hilo  in  its  celebration.  Capt . Calvin  E.  Giffin  was  the  flight  commander 
of  this  inter-island  flight,  and  he  was  accompanied  by  the  following  personnel: 
Capt.  George  P.  Johnson,  Lieut s.  Harold  Lee  George,  R.R. Brown,  L.P.  Holcomb, 
Walter  T.  Meyers  and  Chaplain  Herbert  A.  Rinard. 

Radio  communications  were  maintained  with  WYQ,  the  Army  Air  Corps  radio 
station  at  Luke  Pield. 

— 0O0 

- RETIREMENT  OP  LIEUT.  ALDWORTH 
Ry  the  San  Antonio  Air  Depot  Correspondent 

. It  is  with  deep  regret  that  we  announce  the  retirement,  pursuant  to  War 
Department  orders,  of  1st  Lieutenant  Richard  T.  Aldworth,  Air  Corps-,  whose 
active,  military  service  terminated  at  the  San  Antonio  Air  Depot  on  December 
19th,  due  to  disability  contracted  in  the  line  of  duty. 

Lieut.  Aldworth,  as  a San  Antonio  boy,  was  one  of  the  first  of  the  young 
pilots  on  America’s  entry  into  the  World  War,  having  joined  the  first  class  in 
aeronautics  at  the  University  of  Texas,  and  entering  the  Service  as  Private, 
First  Class,  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Enli steel/ Reserve  Corps,  on  July  28,1917. 

He  was' commissioned  as  Pirst  Lieutenant,  Air  Service,  National  Army,  on  May  16, 
1918,  and  permanently  commissioned  as  Pirst  Lieutenant  of  Air  Service  on  July 
1,  1920. 

Lieut.  Aldworth  was  one  of  the  first  of  the  American'  airmen  with  the  A.E.P. 
and  after  the  course  at  Is'seudan  was  actively  engaged  on  the  Italian  front 
throughout  the  period  of  hostilities.  He  has  an  enemy  plane  to  his  credit, 
and  at  one  time,  due  to  forced  landing  behind  the  enemy  lines,  was  a prisoner 
for  some  weeks.  His  flying  was  principally  on  Bombardment  missions,  and  his 
War  Record  is  well  known. 

Lieut.  Aldworth  was  on  duty  at  this  Depot  from  June  30,  1924  to  June  1, 
1926,  in  the  Engineering  and  Operations  Departments,  going  from  here  to  Lang- 
ley Field,  Virginia.  He  was  again  assigned  to  duty  at  this  Depot  on  September 
3,  1929.  He  is-  an  enthusiastic  flyer,  and  has  also  been  prominent  in  all  forms 
of  athletics,  and  his  retirement  is  felt  as  a distinct  loss  to  the  Service. 

Lieut,  and  Mrs.  Aldworth  expect  to  take  up  their  future  residence  in 
Newark,  New  Jersey,  and  their  departure  is.  accompanied  by  the  most  Cordial 
and  sincere  wishes  of  their  hosts  of  friends,  not  only  at  this  station,  but 
in  the  City  of  San  Antonio  and  vicinity,  for  their  happiness  and  prosperity 
in  civilian  life. 

oOo 

BOMBARDMENT-  SqUADRON  TAPES  ..NEEDED  REST 
By  the  News  Letter  Correspondent 

Seventy  men  of  the  28th  Bombardment  Squadron,  stationed  at.  Nichols  Pield, 

P.  I.,  recently  departed  for  the  Mountain  Rest  Gamp  at  Baguio , P.I.,  where  for 
a period  of  two  weeks  a complete  rest  cure  was  enjoyed  by  all,  with  the  prob- 
able exception  of  our  esteemed  Sq\iadron.  Commander,  who  wore  himself  to  a mere 
shadow  climbing  mountains,  playing  golf,  and  trying  to  be  on  time  at  the  three 
meals  of  the  Squadron  and  at  three  at  the  Officers'  dormitory  where  he  did 
ample  justice  to  anything  which  might  have  been  set  before  him.  Then  our 
Squadron  Adjutant  and  Supply  Officer,  Lieut.  Steel,  who  by  the  way  is  one  of 
the  main  factors  largely  responsible  for  the  success  of  the  trip,  distinguished 

~ 8 ~ V-5969, A.C* 


himself  by  his  activities  as  an  arbitrator  when  he  emerged  victorious  from  the 
fray,  despite  the  fact,  that  h^  sustained, :ia  sprained  .qnkle 

Credit  is  due  our  Hess  Sergeant,  and,  Cocks  fop  the  excellent  table  which 
we  have  been  enjoying  throughout  the  trip,  this  being  .possible  through  the  . un- 
tiring efforts  in  our. behalf  of  the  kitchen  force,  although  we  do  say  that  .Cook 
Pitts  is  a'  rather  poor  train  butcher,  he  having  lost  a tussle  with  our  old 
friend  San 'Miguel.  We  firmly,  believe,  however,  that  it  was  San  Miguel  and  not 
Pitts  who  insisted  upon  knowing. at  what  time  a certain  officer  desired  his 
tiffin.'  ■ ■ 

Our  three' mountain  goats,  Pvts.  Brown,  Carpenter  and  Dalseg,,  conducted 
an  expedition  up  to  Sta.  Tomas  Mountain,  which  is  the  highest  in  the  Islands. 
They.1  left  at  midnight  tO  view  the  gorgeous  sunrise  the  following  morning,  but,, 
alas,  alack  and  woe  is  met  It  is';  ever  thus*.  Halfway  up  the  mountain  .they  were 
rudely  attacked  by  wild  leeches  and,  after  beatipg  a successful  retreat,  they 
resumed  their  seventeen-kilometer  hike.  The  sun  may  have  risen  that  morning, 
but  they  know  it  riot,  this  being,  due  to  a low  ceiling. 

As  we  reflect  upon  the  many  incidents  that  have  occurred  during  our  so- 
journ here,  ye  writer  believes  our  two  outstanding  sheiks  have  turned  the 
tables  on  us  by  first  being  on’ the  scene  at  the  Bishop  Brent  School  for  girls," 
It  is  not  believed  that  they  should  have  been  sc  ambitious.  However,  it  is 
quite  a thrill  for  any  feminine  heart  to  see  the  pride  of  the  Air  Corps  strut- 
ting their  stuff.  There  is  much  speculation  as  to  what  the  matron  of  the 
school  had  to  say  to  the  Post  Adjutant. 

— -0O0 

. POSTHUMOUS  PROMOTION  FOR  LIEUT  / MOTLEY 


The  death  of  Lieutenant  Langhorne  W Motley  on  December  30th  at  the  Fitz- 
simuns  General  Hospital,  Denver,  Colo.,  removed  from  the  ranks  of  the  Air  Corps 
a brilliant  officer  whose  loyalty  and  devotion  to  duty  brought  frequent  com- 
mendations from  his  superior  officers.  Lieut.  Motley's  physical  condition  was 
such  that  at  various  times  it  was  necessary  to  relieve  him  from  flying  duty 
and  it  is  unfortunate  that  he  was  unable  to  survive  his  last  illness. 

Since  Lieut.  Motley  was  due  for  promotion  to  the  rank  of  Captain  on  Sep- 
tember 29,  1929,  the. question  of  the  posthumous.. rank  of  the  deceased  officer 
was  taken  up  with  the  War  Department.  A communication  from  The  Adjutant  Gen- 
eral, dated  January  8,  1930,  addressed  to  the'  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  invited 
attention  to  the  following  provision  of  a Joint  Resolution  of  Congress,  approv- 
ed March.  3,  1925:'  6 ’ ” 

,rSec.  3.  That  the  President  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  authorized  to 
issue  or  cause  to  be  issued,  an  appropriate  commission  in  the  name  of 
any  officer  of  the  Army  of  the  United  States  who,  after  having  been  ex- 
amined and  found  duly  qualified  for  promotion,  died  or  shall  die,  in 
line  of  duty  after  the  bcctirrence  of  the  vacancy  entitling  him,  by  virtue 
of  seniority,  to  such  promotion  and  before  the  issue  or  acceptance  of  a 
commission  therefor;  and  any  such  commission  shall  issue  with  rank  as  of 
the  date  of  said  vacancy,  and' any  such  officer's  name  shall  be  carried 
upon  the  records  of  the  War  Department  as  of  the  grade  and  branch  of  the 
service  snown  in  such  commission,  from  the  date  of  such  vacancy  to  the 
date  of  his  death. 

Sec.  4.  That  no  person  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  any  bonus, 
gratuity,  pay,  or  allowances  by  virtue  of  any  provision  of  this  resolution. 

In  conclusion,  the  letter  from  The  Adjutant  General  states: 

"The  records  show  that  this  deceased  officer  was  due  for  promotion  on 
eptember- 29,  1929,  and  his  nomination  for  such  promotion  was  before  the  Senate 
on  the  date  his  death  occurred.  In  the  circumstances,  a commission  is  being 
issued  conferring  posthumously  upon  him  the  rank  of  Captain  in  the.  Air  Corps, 
as  of  September  29,  1929.  By  virtue  of  such  commission  the  proper  rank  to  be 
inscribed  on  his  tombstone  is  that  of  Captain." 


Captain  Motley  was  born  at  West  Rupert,  Vt  . , on  November  9,  1892.  He 
attended  the  University  of  Virginia  in  1911-1912  and  Indiana  University, 1912-13 
He  served  as  a 1st  Lieutenant  of  Infantry,  Indiana  National  Guard,  in 
Federal  service  on  Mexican  border  patrol  in  1916  and  1917.  Resigning  his  com- 
mission, ^he  entered  the  second  officers'  training  camp  at  Fort  Benjamin  Harri- 
son, Indiana,  and  was  commissioned  a 1st  Lieutenant  in  the  Aviation  Section, 
Signal  Corps  Reserve,  November  8,  1917,  after  a special  examination  at  the 
close  of  the  training-  camp. 


- 9 -r 


V-5969,A.C. 


After  three  months’  service  at  Selfridge  Field-,  Mich.,  where  he  commanded 
a detachment  of  aviation  mechanics  and  instructors  - and  served  as  Chief  Instruc- 
tor of  the  Non-commissioned  Officers’  School,  he  was  assigned  to  duty  - in  the 
Enlisted  Mechanics  Section,  Air  Division,  Signal  Corps,  Washington,  D.-Cv 

The  inauguration  of  the  policy  to  relieve  officers  of  draft  age  from  ad-  • 
ministrative  duties  in  Washington-  during  the  war  necessitated  the  transfer-of 
Capt . Motley  to  field  duty,  and;  he  : served  for  brief  periods  at’  the  Aviation 
Camp  at  Waco,  Texas;  and  at  the  Concentration  Camps  at  Charlotte,  N.C.,-.-  and 
Garden  City,  Long  Island,  I T.Y. 

In  September,  1918,  he  wa.s  transferred  to  Kelly  Field,  San  Antonio, Texas, 
for  flying  training,  which  he  completed,  in  March,-  1919,  whereupon  he  was  .rated 
as  a Reserve  Military  Aviator.  At  Kelly  Field  he  served  successively  as;. Ad- 
jutant and  later  as  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Flying  School  Detachment ; also 
as  Flying  Instructor;  Engineering  Officer;  Officer  in  Charge  of  Flying;  Assist- 
ant Operations  Officer,  First  Wing;  and  Adjutant  of  the  Air  Service  Mechanics 
School . ' . h 

Transferred  in  January,  1921,  to.  Chanut'e  Field,  Rantoul,  111..,  he  served 
as  Commanding  Officer  of  that  field  for  three  months,  and  the  remaining  nine 
months  of  his  year’s  service. there-  as  Assistant  Commandant  and  Exqcuiiye  Offi- 
cer of  the  Air  Service  Mechanics  Schools 

In  March,  1922,  Captain,  Motley  was  assigned  to  duty  with  the  .Organized 
Reserves  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  he  remained  on  this  detail  until  the  summer 
of  1925,  when  he  was  transferred  to  Langley  Field,  Va.,  for  duty  as  student 
at  the  Air  Corps  Tactical  School.  Upon  his  graduation  the  following  year,'  and 
being  due  for  foreign  service,  he  was  ordered  to  duty  in  the  Hawaiian  Depart- 
ment. His  three-year  tour  having  expired,  he  was  ordered  to  duty  at  Langley 
Field  as  instructor  at  the  Air  Corps  Tactical  School,  His  illness,  however, 
prevented  him  from  entering  on -this  detail. 

Captain  Motley  was  buried  with  appropriate  honors  at  the  National  Cemetery 
at  Arlington,  Va.  . 

The  News  Letter  sends  its. sympathy  to  his  bereaved  family. 

oOo . 

RANDOLPH  FIELD 

By  Lieut.  Harold  L.  Clark,  Air  Corps 
Lieutenant  Harold  L.  Clark,  the  author  of  this  article,  was  recently 
on  duty  in  the  Buildings  and  Grounds  Division  of  the  Office  of  the  Chief 
of  the  Air  Corps.  He  is  thus  qualified,  as  are  few  others,  .to  write  in 
this  authoratative  vein. 

The  word, "Field" , when  applied  to  this  hugh  project  might  be  a misnomer. 
Were  it  not  that  this  is  a proper  Army  word  for  an  Air  Corps'  station  it  might 
well  be  called  "Randolph  City"  ♦ For  a city  it  is,  or  will  be,  a city  espech- 
ially  designed,  whose  every  building  and  every  inhabitant  is  concerned  with 
the  art  of  flying  and  the  necessary  activities  connected  therewith.  It  is 
located  on  a site  of  approximately  2300  acres,  donated  by  the  citizens  of  San 
Antonio,  and  lies  on  the  main  transcontinental  line  of  the  Southern  Pacific 
Railroad  and  the  Old  Spanish  Trail, 16  miles  northeast  from  the  heart  of  the 
Alamo  City. 

At  the  present  time,  the  flying  training  of  the  Army  Air  Corps  is  divided 
amongst  three  fields  - March  Field,  near  Riverside,  Calif.;  Brooks  Field  and 
Kelly  Field  (both  of  the  latter  near  San  Antonio,  Texas).  The  basic  idea 
underlying  the  establishment  of  Randolph  Field  was  t.o  concentrate  all  of  the 
flying  training  at  one  point.  However,  the  handling  of  upward  of  300  student- 
manned  airplanes  from  one  field  and.  at  the  same  .time  is  a problem  in  air  traf- 
fic that  can  hardly  be  solved  on -paper.  For  that  reason,  only  two  units  of 
Randolph  Field  are  being  constructed  at  the  present  time.  These  two  units  will 
comprise  all  of  the  primary  flying  training  now  conducted  at  March  Field  and 
Brooks  Field.  After  this  much 'is  in  full  operation,  it  can  be  determined 
whether  or  net  there  is  "air  room"  for  the  additional  unit  - the  advanced: - 
training  being  carried  on  at  Kelly  Field.  It  can  be  seen  that  this  consider- 
ation presented  a special  problem  in  design.  It  required  one  which  would 
provide  for  two  units  complete  in  themselves,  which.. would  not  appear  unfinish- 
ed in  case  the  third  unit  was  never  built,  and  at  the  same  time,  the  third 
unit,  if  built,  must  not  look  like  an  afterthought , tacked  on  to  an  already 
completed  post . 


- 10  - 


V-5969, A.C 


Randolph  Field  was  designed  by  officers  of  the  Army  Air  Corps,  and  revis- 
ed by  George  B.  Ford,  of  -New  'York',  the'  far  Department !s  Consulting  Architect 
on  city  planning.  It  is  unique  in  plan,  especially  designed  to  care  for  the 
many  considerations  making • up  the  purpose  for  which  it  will  he -used?  namely, 
flying  training,  and  it  is  believed  to  he  the  first  development  ever  planned, 
having  as  a primary  consideration,  its  appearance  from  the  air. 

The  building  area  is  almost  a square,  comprising  about  450  acres,  and  is 
located  aoprcximately  in  the  center  of  the  2300  acre  tract,  with  one  entrance 
road  and  railroad  track  entering  from  the  highway  on  the  northwest  boundary . 

The  building  area  is  thus  surrounded  by  four  separate  airdrome®,  . each  approx- 
imately 3000  feet  wide  by  2 miles  long,  since  it  is  contemplated  using  only 
two  of  them  at 'a  time.  The  entrance  road' an4,  railroad  are  laid  flush  with 
the  ground,  so  that  an  airplane  can  roll  over  them  without  dpiage  in  case  of 
a forced  landing  in  that  area. 

The  operating  hangars  line  two  sides  of  the  building  area,  the.  northeast 
and  southwest.  It  might  be  well  to  .add  here  that  the  main  axis  of  the  field 
lies  southeast  - northwest.'  Thus  the  hangar  lines  parallel  the  prevailing 
" wind,  which  is'  southeast  • e.ight  months  of  the  year  and  north  the  other  four 
months.  Ey  using  only  two  of  the  four  fields  simultaneously,  and  shifting 
to  the  other  two  when  cross-winds  prevail,  it  is  considered  possible  to  pre- 
vent all  flying  over  the  building  area  and  alleviate  the  dust  situation  as 
well,  with  the  help  of  a paved  warming  up  apron  150  feet  wide  and  a good  crop 
of  Bermuda  grass. 

The  main  traffic  boulevard  enters  the  building  area  at  the  center  of  its 
northwest  boundary  and  divides  to  form  a large  circle  of  2500  foot  diameter 
around  the  center  of  the  post.  Within  this  circle  are  the  married  officers* 
quarters,  with  the  officers’  mess  in  the  exact  center.  There  is  a small  circle 
at  the  entrance,  around  which  are  grouped  various  buildings  forming  a commu- 
nity center  — the  administration  building,  or  headquarters,  the. post  exchange, 
theatre  and  chapel.  In  the  northwest  corner  of  the  building  area,  lies  the 
industrial  area  - the  gar  age,  warehouses,  engineering  shops,  bakery,  laundrjr, 
etc.  In  the  northeast  corner,  opposing  this,  is  the  bachelor  officers’  area, 

. consisting  of  four . dormitory  buildings  grouped  about  a central  mess.  The  south- 
west corner  is  devoted  to  the  hospital,  flight:  surgeon’s  school,  nurses ’ . quart- 
ers, and  non-commissioned  officers’  quarters;  while  in  the  southeast  corner, 
are  the  public  schools  for  children,  with  a large  playground,  and  more  nan- 
commissioned  officers'  quarters..  There. is  a barracks  area  located. just  back 
of  the  operations  office  in  the  center  of  each  hangar  line.  At  the  center  of 
; the  southeast  boundary,  are  located  the  academic  building.,'  or  ground  s chool, 
and  the  cadet  barracks. 

The  entire  post  is  designed  in  the  Spanish  Mission  style  of  architecture, 
so  prevalent  in  the  southwest,  and  with  its  stuccoed  walls  and  red  tile  roofs, 
•combined  with  palm  trees,  Spanish  dagger  plants  and  .what  not,  should  present 
an  imposing  sight,  when  - •omple ted. 

The  personnel  to  be  stationed  there  will  consist  of,  eventually,  350 
officers,  500  flying  cadets,  and  2000  enlisted  men,  who  with  their  families 
will  swell  the  total  population  to  between  4000  and\;5000  people,  which  is  a 
small  city  in  itself.  There  will  be  a total  of  512  buildings  erected,  the 
total  cost  amounting  to  over  $11,000,000.  The  construction  of  the  first  two 
• units  calls  for. more  than  $8*000,000,  which  has  already  been  appropriated  and 
is  available  for.  the  job.  Construction  is  progressing  under  the  direction  of 
Captain  A.W.  Parker,  Q.M.C.,  Constructing  Quartermaster.  Tlie  roads  are  all 
laid  out  and  gravel  based,  the  railroad  spurs  are  laid,  water  and  sewer  systems 
are  being  installed,  and  on  August  15th  bids  were  opened  for  the  construction 
of  the  first  123  buildings. 

This,  then  is  the  story  of  Randolph  Field,  the  Flying  City,  to  date,  and 
it  is  confidently  hoped  and.  expected  that  when  completed,  the  Army's  "Air 
Academy"  will  be  the  world’s  greatest  flying  school  and  a spot  of  beauty  from 
the  air  as  well  as  from  the  ground. 

ADDENDA. 

To  date  - November,  1929  - $8,000,000.00  have  been  appropriated  for  this 

field. 

■ Further  feference  to  this  field  may  be. found  in: 

■ / San  Antonio  (Texas) Express  - August  11,  1929. 

Aero  Digest  - November,  1929. 

The  Aviator  - April,  1929. 

.Air  Corps  News  Letter  - April  21,  1928. 

- 11  - ’ ’ ' ' V-5969, A.C. 


army  Airman.-  wins  Philippine  sole  championship 

Rpr  the  second  consecutive  year,  1st  Lieut.  A. F.  Shea,  Air  Corps*  stationed 
at  Nichols  yield,  Rizal,'  P .1 . won  the  Army  Golf  Championship  of  the  Philippine 
Islands  by  defeating  Colonel  R.>B.  Parrott,  Adjutant  General’s  Department,  7 up 
and  6 to  go..  Lieut.  Shea  won  the  match,  in.  the  last  18  of  the  (36-hole  finals, 
as.  he  was  1 down  at  the  end  of  the  morning's  play. 

The  News  Letter  Correspondent  says  that  after  partaking  of  soup  only  for 
luncheon  at  the  Calcocan  Golf  Club,  "Gus"  came  back  to  show  his  real  class  as 
a compet ion .golf  player.  This  was  also  his  31st  birthday.  With  long  drives 
straight  dpwn  the  fairway,  with  brass ie  and  approach  Shots  of  remarkable  accur- 
acy and  deadly  puts,  he  won  or  tied  all  holes.  The  real  thrill  came  on  the 
12th  hole.  With  the  score  6 up  and  7, . the  champion  diced  his  drive  and  the 
ball  landed  behind  a large  mango  tree.  Choosing  a Number  3 iron,  he  hooked 
the  ball  around  the  tree  to  the  green.  After  two  puts  for  a par,  the  match 
was  won. 

It  is. generally  conceded  that  Lieut.  Shea  is  the  best  tournament  golfer  in 
the  Philippines  . Last  year  he.  was  winner  of  the  Army  Open  and  runner-up  in 
the  Philippine  Open.  "It  is  a good  bet",  says  the  News  Letter  Correspondent, 
"that  he  will  win  this  year’s  Philippine  Open".' 

- — cOo 

TEN  YEARS  AGO  IN  THE  NEWS  LETTER 

Among  the  various  items  which  appeared  in  an  issue  cf  the  News  Letter 
published  in  January,  1920,  were  the  following; 

Announcement  was  made  that  the  Training  and  Operations  Group  of  the  Office 
of  the  Chief  of  Air  Service  had  plotted  a proposed  course  overland  to  Alaska 
over  Canada,  which  was  being  considered  with  a view,  if  possible,  to  flying 
over  .this  course  at  some  time  in  the  future. 

' The- ...Engineering  Division  cf  the  Air  Corps  at  McCook  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio, 
conducted  two  successful  parachute  : jumps,  using  a new  pack  type  parachute. 
Sergeant  Ralph  Bcttriel  and'  Mr . James  Russell  ascended  in  a Martin  Bomber  to 
an  altitude  of.  2,000  feet-/-  The  latter  jumped. from  the  wing  tip'  of  the  Bomber 
and  landed  on  the  ground  in  one  minute,  23-3/5  seconds,  while  Sergeant  Bcttriel 
followed  by  jumping  from  the  rear  gunner’s  cockpit  and  landing  in  one  minute 
and  24  seconds . 

A varied  collection  of  German  war  planes  were  received  at  the  Depot  at 
Wilbur  Wright  Field!,  Fairfield,  Ohio, 

: - Test,. wap ; made  . cf  the  Sperry  Gyroscopic  Turn  Indicator  for  cloud  flying, 
which- was.  • installed  ;iu' a DH-4 ' airplane  . • Among  the  recommendations  of  the  pilot 
who  flew  this ' airplane  was  that  an. instrument  should  be  developed  which  will 
perform  the  funo-ticns  of  a compass  and.  turn  indicator  in  cne 
• '.  ~-.-C.Pb 

' HOC EWELL  AIRMAN  LANDS  IN  SORRENTO  CANTON 

Lieut.  EIrtiey'  JhGregg,  Air  Corps,  cf  .the  95th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Rockwell 
Field,  Coronado Calif .,  "sat. down"  in  a dry  creek  bed  in  Sorrento  Canyon,  San 
Diego  .-County.,  without-  injury  to  himself  er  the  plane..  He  was  returning  from 
Lo.s  Angeles  late  in.  the ' afternoon  when  fog  closed  in  around  him.  Knowing  that 
the  chances  were  good  -for  his  encountering  the  same,  fog  over  Rockwell  Field, 
he  cast  around  for  ah' emergency  landing  field..  He  found  it  in  Sorrento  Canyon, 
near  the  railroad  tracks.  - It  was-,  not  the  average  landing  field  one  would  pick 
under -ordinary  circumstances,  being  covered  with  atones  and’ brush.  Neverthe- 
less, Lieut.  Gregg  put' his  machine  down -••on  it.  On  the  following  day  Lieut. 
Gregg  went  cut  and  flew  the  plane  back  to;  Rockwell  Field. 

•cOc-^—t 

NEW. ALTITUDE  RECORD  FOR  PURSUIT  PLANE. 

According  tc  latest  advices  received  from  Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif*, 
the  unofficial  altitude  record  of’- ’SO; OOOvfeet  made  December  13,  1929,  by  Lieut. 
Norman  H.  Ives,  attached"  tc  the' '-^Sth 'Pursuit  Squadron  at  that  field,  in  a Boe- 
ing P-12  plane,  did  net  endure  very  long*  for  it  was  eclipsed  just  recently  by 
Lieut.  George  E.  price,  also  attached  to  the  -95th,  who  attained  an  altitude  of 
- 7 - 12  - V~5969,A.C. 


31,200  feet.  . . . 

The  P-12  plane  'which  LiCut . pride  piloted  was  equipped  with  full  military 
load.  The  temperature  encountered  .at  the  ceiling  was  10  degrees  below  zero 
Centigrade . 

Intensive  training" at"  service  and  absolute  ceiling  is  being  carried  on  by 
the  95th  Pursuit  Squadron  at  Rockwell  Pield. 

oOo — ■ 


AIR  CORPS  RESERVE  OEEICER  SHOWS  SKILL  AS  ARCHITECT 

Lieut.  Virgil  D.  Westbrook,  Air  Corps  Reserve,  attached  to  the  95th  Pur- 
suit Squadron,  Rockwell  Pield,  Calif.,  whose  home  is  at  San  Clemente,  Calif., 
won  honors  in  the  Lehigh  Airports  Competition,  the  first  American  contest  for 
designs  of  modern  airports. 

Of  the  257  architects  from  all.  parts  of  the  nation  who  entered  the  contest, 
14  were  declared  winners.  Lieut.  Westbrook  was  among  twelve  who  received 
honorable  mention  and  received  $100.  for  his  design. 

oOo  — 

ADVANCED  AGENT  FOR  PURSUIT  GROUP  PLIGHT  COMPLETES  MISSION 


Forced  to  abandon  his  ship  at  Kali  spell,  Montana,  because  of  the  fact  'that, 
being  equiuped  with  wheels  instead  of  skiis,  the  P-l-C  he  was  -piloting  flipped 
over  on  its  back  when  he  failed  to  keep . it  in  a plowed  runway,  Lieut.  Walter  E. 
Richards,  Advance  Agent  of  the  round-trip  flight  of  the  1st  Pursuit  Group  be- 
tween Selfridge  Field,  Michigan  and  Spokane,  Washington,  returned  to  Self ridge 
Pield  by  rail. 

During  his  tour  Lieut.  Richards  experienced  considerable  difficulty  and 
delay  due  to  heavy  snow,  and  his  ship,  being  damaged  beyond  local  repair,  author- 
ity was  received  to  ship  it  to  the  Fairfield,  Ohio,  Air  Depot  for  general  over- 
haul. Authority  was  also  received  for  Lieut.  Richards  to  complete  the  remain- 
der of  his  trip  by  rail. 

Throughout  the  entire  trip,  Lieut.  Richards  caused  to  be  forwarded  to 
Selfridge  Pield  complete  information  covering  all  facilities  at  each  contem- 
plated stop.  The  News  Letter  Correspondent  states  that,  due  to  the  necessity 
of  completing  the  trip  as  sch.edu.led,  a great  many  cities  which  have  furnished 
this  information  are  going  to  be  disappointed,  since  it  will  be  impossible  for 
the  Group  to  maintain  its  schedule  and  visit  all  of  the  interested  cities  along 
the  route.  ’ 

The  contemplated  schedule  is  as  follows: 

1st  Day  - Selfridge  to  St.  Ignace,  250  miles  - noon  stop* 

St.  Ignace "to  Duluth  via  Hancock  400  miles  - overnight  stop. 

2nd  Day  - Duluth  to  Grand  Porks,  250  miles  - noon  stop. 

Grand  Porks  to  Minot,  200  miles  - overnight  stop. 

3rd  Day  - Minot  to  Glasgow,  250  miles  - noon  stop. 

Glasgow  to  Great  Palls,  via  Havre,  250  miles  - overnight  stop. 

4th  Day  - Great  Palls  to  Kalispell,  200  miles  - noon  stop. 

Kali spell  to  Spokane,  200  miles  - overnight  stop. 

5th  Day  - Step. over  at  Spokane. 

6th  Day  - Spokane  to  Helena,  Via  Missrula,  275  miles  - noon  stop. 

Helena  to  Miles  City,  200  'miles  - overnight  stop. 

7th  Day  - Miles  City  to  Bismarck, 230  miles  - noon  stop. 

"Bismarck  to  Fargo,  200  miies  - overnight 

8th  Day  - Fargo  to  Minneapolis,  230  miles  - noon  stop. 

Minneapolis  to  Wausau,  175  miles  - overnight  stop. 

9th  Day  - Wausau  to  Escanaba,  150  miles  - noon  stop. 

Escanaba 'to  Selfridge,  350  mileS. 


'Mr.  H. j.  Adamson,  Assistant  to  the  Eon.  F.  Trubee  Davison,  Assistant 
Secretary  of  War  for  Aeronautics,  arrived  at  Selfridge  Field,  January  6th  for 
the  purpose  of  accompanying  the  flight.  Tech.  Sergeant  George  H.  Fisher, 
motion  picture  photographer  from  the  4th  Photo  Section,  Maxwell  Pield,  Mont- 
gomery, Ala.,  reported  to  Selfridge  Field  for  duty  as  official  photographer  in 
connection  with  the  flight.  Staff  Sergeant  Xennard  E.  Wilson,  radio  operator, 
was  also  assigned  to  Selfridge  Field  for  duty  in  connection  with  the  operation 
of  the  low  wave  broadcasting  set  to  be  used  throughout  the  flight  of  the -1st 
Pursuit  Group  in  conjunction  with  local  Stations  and  the  American  Radio  Relay 


League . 


V-5969 , A.C. 


PURSU ITERS  PATROL  OVER  DETROIT  DURING  FUNERAL  OF  SOLDIERS 

■'Tile-  flight  cf  six  planes  of  the  27th  Pursuit  Squkdron  patrolled  the  sky- 
over  Detroit,  Mich.,  during  the  funeral  of  the  soldiers  whose  bodies  were  re- 
cently returned  from  Russia.  A heavy  snowstorm  at  the  completion  of  the  mis- 
sion made  the  trip  back  to  Self ridge  Field  and  the  landing, one  of  those  not 
soon  forgotten  affairs.  Tight  formation  practice  proved  very  valuable. 

oOc 

WAR  DEPARTMENT  ORDERS  AFFECTING  AIR  CORPS  OFFICERS 

Transfers : 2nd  Lieut.  Robert  J.  Dwyer,  Field  Artillery,  to  the  Air  Corps, 
November  21,  1929,  with  rank  June  9,  1928. 

2nd  Lieut.  Roger  M.  Ramey,  Infantry,  to  Air  Corps,  November  21,  1929, 
with  rank  June  9,  1928. 

Resignations : 2nd  Lieut.  Joel  G.  Pitts,  February  1,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut . Harvey  R . Ogden . 

Relieved  from  Detail  to  Air  Corns;  2nd  Lieut.  Harold  G.  Hayes  to  Signal 
Corps,  2nd  Division,  Ft.  Sam  Houston,  Texas. 

2nd  Lieut.  Norris  S.  Longaker, Jr . , to  Infantry,  2nd  Division,  Ft .Sam 
Houston,  Texas. 

2nd  Lieut.  Charles  B.  McClelland,  Jr.,  to  1st  Cavalry  Division,  Ft.  Clark, 
Texas . 

2nd  Lieut.  William  L.  Nave  to  Infantry,  2nd  Division,  Ft.  Sam  Houston, 
Texas . 

2nd  Lieut.  Dexter  M.  Lowry, Jr.,  to  29th  Infantry,  Fort  Benning,  Ga. 

2nd  Lieut.  Cornelius  Z.  Byrd, to  the  25th  Infantry,  Fort  Huachuca,  Arizona. 

Reserve  Officers  Detailed  to  Extended  Active  Duty:  2nd  Lieut.  Francis  J. 
Bassing,  St.  Josenh,  Mo.,  to  Marshall  Field,  Fort  Riley,  Kansas,  to  January 
17,  1931. 

2nd  Lieut.  Robert  Lyle  Brookings  to  Mitchel  Field,  N.Y.  to  January  19, 


BLANKET  LOST  IN  BATTLE  OF  SO IS SONS  JUST  RETURNED  TO  OWNER 

The  movie  fans  here  have  witnessed  the  flight  of  the  magic  carpet  in  the 
Thief  of  Bagdad.  The  flights  of  that  mystic  fabric  have  nothing  on  the  travels 
of  Mike’s  blanket. 

In  1916  a young  sergeant  came  home  from  Santo  Domingo  and  was  paid  off 
"Expiration  of  enlistment-Character  Excellent".  As  was  the  custom  in  those 
days,  he  reenlisted  the  following  day.  He  promptly  requisitioned  and  was 
issued  on®  of  the  new  handsome  blankets  which  had  just  been  adopted.  He  paint- 
ed his  name,  "M  WODARCZYK" , on  the  dark  brown  stripe  with  white  paint.  The 
blanket  became  Mike’s  mascot. 

The  war  broke  out  and  he  carried  it  to  France  with  the  first  contingent 
of  the  famous  "Fifth  Marines".  Together  Mike  and  the  Blanket  went  through 
training  trenches  and  over  the  top.  On  July  18,  1918,  the  Fifth  was  summoned 
from  Corps  reserve  and  thrown  into  the  historic  action  at  Soissons.  Packs 
were  thrown  off  and  the  Fifth  plunged  into  melee.  Captain  Wass,  the  Company 
Commander,  went  down  mortally  wounded.  Mike  was  leading  the  remnant  of  his 
platoon  when  he  got  his’.  All  night  he  laid  wounded  on  the  field  wondering  if 
he  would  ever  see  his  pet  blanket  again.  At  dawn  the  stretcher  bearers  car- 
ried him  to  the  rear.  Eventually  he  was  patched  up  and  rejoined  the  regiment 
in  time  for  the  Argcnne  struggle. 

After  the  war  he  came  home  and  was  made  a Warrant  Officer.  Since  then 
he  has  served  again  in  Santo  Domingo  and  in  the  Nicaraguan  campaign,  where  he 
acquired  more  ribbons  for  his  blouse,  another  promotion  and  a set  cf  gold 
aviators’  wings.  He  is  now  back  with  the  Marine  Squadrons  at  San  Diego.  A 
few  days  ago  a Marine  returned  there  to  duty,  after  completing  a course  at  the 
Army  Air  Corps  School,  Chanuto  Field,  Rantrul,  111.  He  reported  to  Chief  Gun- 
ner Michael  Wcdarczyk,  his  section  Chief , that  a private  at  Chanute  Field  was 
using  a Marine  blanket  marked  "M.  WODARCZYK". 

A letter  from'  the  Army  Commanding  Officer  at  Chanute  Field  secured  the  re- 
turn of  the  identical  blanket  left  on  the  field  at  Soissons  many  years  ago. 
Mike’s  joy  at  recovering  his  long  lost  mascot  was  scarcely  exceeded  by  the 
pleasure  of  receiving  his  recent  award  cf  the  Distinguished  Flying  Cross.  - 
News  Letter,  Bureau  cf  Aeronautics,  U.S.Navy. 

- 14  - 


V-5969,A.C. 


NOTES  FROM  AIR  CORPS  FIELDS 
— 9-0O0 

Nichols  Fielfl.Rigal,  P.I.,  December  4,  1929. 

On  November  16th,  the  Philippine  Bowling  Association's  series  of  matches' 
ended  with  Nichols  Field  enlisted  men's  t Cam  in  fifth  place;  officers  in  eighth, 
place.  However,  the  enlisted  men's 'team  ended  in  first  place  in  the  Inter  r- 
regimental  Bowling  League,  for  the  second  consecutive  year.'  -• 

Kid  Hewitt  won  the  featherweight  championship,  Manila  District,  on  Novem- 
ber 29th. 

2nd  Observation  Squadron,  A.C.:  There  was  an  increase  in  flying  activi- 
ties in  the  2nd  Observation  Squadron  during  the  eleventh  month. 

Tow  target  missions  were  carried  out  in  connection  with  the  60th  Coast 
Artillery  at  Corregidor.  . Both  morning  and  night  missions  were  made,  bqt  so 
far  most  of  the  targets  seem  to  be  intact  and  there  were  no  casualties,  from 
which  we  deduce  that  airplanes  can,  as  during  the  war,  still  laugh  at  the 
"Archies"! 

Numerous  attack  and  liaison  problems  were  accomplished  with  the  26th  Cav- 
alry and  the  24th  Field  Artillery  at  Fort  Stotsenburg.  The  regular  cross- 
country,^ photo  and  radio'  missions  were  also  made. 

On  the  20th  of  November  a large  number  turned  out  to  view  the  Field  Meet 
participated  in  by  the  different  organizations  of  the  Post  and  by  the  3rd  Pur- 
suit Squadron  from  Clark  Field.  The  2nd  "ran"  away  with  a big  majority  of 
the  honors.  Pvt.  Anthony  of  the  2nd  was  high  point  man. 

On  November  29th,  the'  2nd  Observation  Squadron  spent  the  day  at  Corregi- 
dor, the  original  home  of  the  outfit  in  the  Philippine  Department,  in  observe 
ance  of  Organization  Day.  The  day  was  utilized  in  swimming,-  sightseeing  and 
eating.  The  program  for  the  day  consisted  of  a pleasant  ride  over  on  the 
mine-planter  "HARRISON",  lunch  and  "Spiff"  at  Kindley  Field,  baseball  game 
(we  lost)  at  top  side,  and  then  the  Same  ride  back.  Every  one  had  a good  time 
but  were  tired  when  they  arrived  at  Nichols  Field,  although  happy  and  contented. 

Headquarters,  4th  Composite  Group:  The  members  of  this  Detachment  are 
congratulating  Technical  Sgt . Monroe  Reynolds,  who  just  climbed  another  rung 
in  the  ladder  of  fame.  There  being  no  vacancies  in  the  grade  of  Mr. Sergeant 
in  this  organization,  he  was  transferred  to  the  2nd  Observation-  Squadron,  but 
the  well  wishes  of  .this  organization  go  with  him. 

Three  members  of  the  Detachment  are  enjoying  Detached  Service  at-.  Baguio 
for  a few  days  and  many  others  hope  to  pay  their  pilgrimage  to  this  Mecca  of 
the  Orient  before  their  tour  of  duty  draws  to  a close. 

The  sailing  of  the  January  Transport  will  tear  from  this  Organization 
some  men  who  have  spent  more  than  their  allotted  number  of;  years  in  the  Orient, 
and  it  is  hoped  that  they  will  enjoy  their  return  to.  their  native  land. 

6th  Photo  Section;  During  November  a two  hundred-mile  reconnaissance  road 
strip  was  made  for  the  14th  Engineers,  Fort  !m. McKinley,  from  Manila  to  Batan- 
gas  and  vicinity.  A mosaic  was  also  taken  of  the  Navy  Base  at  Mariveles  for 
the  Navy  Department. 

Four  men  from  the  Naval  Photographic  Department  under  the  supervision  of 
Lieut.  Moss  have  been'  working  in  the  Photo  Laboratory  for  the  past  month  lay- 
ing mosaics  that  were  taken  of  Nanking,  China. 

The  Section  is  now  developing  motion  picture  film  for  the  Signal  Corps 
which  was  brought  to  Manila  recently  by  Mr.  Barrett  on  a cable-layer  boat. 

On  November  20th/,  during  the  track  and  field  meet,  some- members  of  the 
Section  participated  while  others  of  the  Section,  were  busy  with  cameras  shoot- 
ing some  of  the  most  exciting  events. 

28th  Bombardment  Squadron;  November  was  a quiet  month  as  far  as  flying 
is  concerned,  as  we  are  still  waiting  for  replacements  for  our  L.B.-5's  or  for 
authority  to  make  necessary  changes.  During  the  month  we  had  a total  of  three 
ships  in  commission,  and  almost  wore  the  surfaces  off  all  three  trying  to 
get  in  our  flying  time. 

Our  worthy.  1st  Sgt.  M.  Hamer,  who.  departs  from  the  land  of  sunshine  and 
cabarets,  is  at  present  on  a thirty-day  vacation  prior  to  leaving  on  the  Janu- 
ary transport  for  March  Field. 

During  the  absence  of  Capt . Brock,  Lieut.  James  L.  Grisham  assumed  com- 
mand, and  Staff  Sgt.  W.J.  Duffy  was  appointed  acting  1st  Sgt.  until  arrival 
of  Sgt.  Hamer's  re-placement . Sgt,  Maurice  P.  Riherd  was  discharged  by  pur- 

-.15-  7-5969, A. C. 


chase  to  accept  a position  (if- you  please)  with  the  International  Harvester  Co. 

We  will  be  sorry  to  lose  Lieut.  Grisham,  who  becomes  Post  Adjutant,  effec- 
tive December  1st.  However,  we  have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  he  is  a 
worthj^  replacement  for  the  present  Adjutant,  Capt . C.M.  Savage.  We  expect  to 
have,  our  tennis  court  completed  by  next  month  and  are  sure  that  with  the  talent 
we  have  in  this  squadron  we  will  have  several  Bill  Tilden’s  developed  shortly. 

66th  Service  Squadron:  A great  deal  of  interest  was  shown  in  the  Nichols 
Field  Field  Day,  November  20th.  The  following  men  of  this  organization  entered 
Staff  Sgt . Clement  ,H.  Kelly,  Sgt . James  A.  Sommer,  pvts.  Welton  E.  Avery,  Bar- 
ney A.  Haugen,  Francis  F.  Miller  and  Stephen  E.  Fetrec-in.  Pvt.  Miller  won  the 
440-yard  run  and  the  220  low  hurdles,  thereby  winning  a place  on  the  Post  Team 
at  the  Department  Field  Meet,  scheduled  for  December  15th  at  Fort  Wm. McKinley, 
P.I.,  and  the  prize  offered  by  the  Squadron  to 'any  man  taking  first  place. 

Pvt.  1 Cl.  Ray  C.  McMullen,  the  inter-service  light  weight  boxing  cham- 
pion for  the  Philippine  Department,  met  his  Waterloo  in  a battle  with  Sailor 
Rohan  of  the  Navy.  McMullen  put  up  a great  fight,  and  despite  a broken  nose 
and  a badly  cut  ear,  continued  on  to  the  end.  This  was  not  a fight  for  the 
championship,  therefore  McMullen  still  wears  the  belt. 

The  Squadron  had  a great  dinner  Thanksgiving  Fay.  - The  menu  card,  designed 
by  Pvt.  1st  Cl.  Arthur  P . Ryan,  was  a knockout,  and  each  man  received  a hand 
painted  copy  as  a souvenir.  EATS*  Man,  when  you  lock  the  menu  over  you  think 
its  from  the  Ritz  or  what  have  you.  Roast  Turkey  with  all  the  trimmings, 
winding  up  with  cigars, ;cigarettes,  candy,  etc. 

The  Squadron  received  no  nows  from  Lieut.  Earl  S.  Hoag,  A.C.,  the  Squad- 
ron Adjutant,  since  he' left  with  Mr s.  Hoag  for  an  extended  tour  of  China  and 
Japan.  ,He  has  been  away  over  a month  now  and  we  are  wondering  if  he  has. join- 
ed or  been. inducted  into  the  service  by  one  of  the  many  rebellious  armies  of 
China,-.  ..  . . : 

The  following  promotion  was  made  during  the  month:  Pvt.  Leroy  A.  Lasure, 
appointed  Corporal  on  the  7th. 

Rockwell  Field.  Coronado,  Calif.,  December  16th. , 

;0ne  of • the  most  elaborate  military  weddings,  held  in  Coronado  for  some 
time .was  that  of  Miss  Ernestine  Lenore  Hunker,  daughter  of  Capt.  and  Mrs . H.J. 
Hunker,  QMC.,  to  Lieut.  Joseph  G.  Hopkins  of  the  95th  Pursuit  Squadron..  The 
ceremony  was  solemnized  on  the  evening  of- -December  2nd  at  Christ  Epispopal 
Church,  Coronado,  in  the  presence  of  about '150  relatives  and  friends,  and  was 
marked  with  all  the  brilliance  and  splendor  of  military  pomp  and  dignity..  As 
the,  wedding  party  left  ’the  altar  they  walked  beneath  26  crossed  sabers,  of  of- 
ficers stationed. at  Rockwell  Field.  Following  the  ceremony  a reception  for 
the  bridal  party  and  wedding  guest's  was  held  at  the  Coronado  Country  Club,  the 
bride  cutting  the  wedding  cake  with  her  husband’s. . sword. 

Major  Carl  Spatz  and  Capt.  H.M.  Elmondorf  returned  to  the  Field  December 
ll.th  from  Langley  .Field,  Va.,  where  they  attended  .a '-Conference  on  Pursuit 
tactics . 

Parachute  training  for  officers  is  in  progress  at  the  Field,  and  several 
.live.,  jumps  were  made  during  the  past  week:.- " ? ' ! 

Ur . William  L.  Winner,  Asst.  Radio  Engineer,  Signal  Service  at  large, 
Headquarters,  9th  Corps  . Area,  arrived  at  Rockwell  Field  December  16th  for  tem- 
porary-duty  in  connection  with  the  installation  of  remote  control  equipment' 
at  the. Rockwell  Field  Radio  Station.  ’ 

. The  Officers’  Club,  Rockwell  Field,  made  elaborate  plans,  for  a large 
Christmas  party  for  the  children  of  the  officers' and  non-commissioned  officers 
of'  the  Post.  A large  Christmas  tree  was  erected  in  one  corner  of  the  Club  and 
gaily  decorated  with  Yuletide'  trimmings  and  gifts  for-  the  youngsters.  Lieut. 
Robert  E.  Spiff,  Post  Adjutant,  was  designated  to  act  as  Master  of  Ceremonies 
on  this,  .occasion,  in  other  words,  to  don  the  garb- of  - Santa  Claus.  . 

Col.  H.J.  Brees,  i .G. Inspector  of  the  9th  Corps  Area,  is  scheduled 
..to  make  the  annual  inspection  and  survey  of  Rockwell.  Field  about  the  middle 
rot  January.  ' ■' 

115th.  Observation  Squadron,  38th  Division  Aviation.  . . 

Lieut  ,D.!D.Watso'h,:  Senior  Instructor j accompanied  by  Sgt.  L.M.  Johnson, 

Sgt  .-instructor  of  this'  Organic atioh,  completed  a tour  of  the,- Southwest,  in  an 

- 16  - F-5969,’A.C. 


02-H  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  some  new  ideas  and  to  • form  a has  is  of  com^ 
parison  of  various  National  Guard  units.  In  spite  of  foggy  weather  all  the  w ay  ' 
to  Houston,  Texas,  and  freezing  weather  all  the  way  hack,  with  considerable 
motor  trouble  thrown  in,  the  itinerary  was  followed  to  the  letter,  with  .one 
exception  - Birmingham,  Alabama.  From  all  accounts  the  outfit  there  is  a pretty 
hot  organization,  but  it  had  to  be  passed  up,  due  to  exceptionally  bad  weather 
in  that  locality. 

Four  days  were  spent  at  Houston,  Texas,  due  to  having  the  -motor  worked  over 
and  waiting  for  the  necessary  nine  feet  of  visibility. 

Sgt . Johnson  learned  considerably  about  the  duties  of  an  Air  Service  mechan- 
ic on  this  trip;  at  least  his  fingers  were  all  blistered  and  skinned  up  when 
he  came  back . 

Lieut.  Watson,  also  studied  methods  of  training  and  operations  of  National 
Guard  units  in  various  states  and  came  back  full  of  good  ideas  that  can’t  help 
but  improve  cur  outfit,  good  as  it  is. 

The  weather  in  Indianapolis  for  the  past  mmnth  was  -such  that  operations 
were  practically  at  a standstill,  rain  and  fog  every  day.  But  it’s  an  ill 
wind  that  blows  no  good.  While  the  ships  are1  on  the  ground  they  aren’t  burning 
any  gas.  The  gas  allowance  for  this  organization  is  inadequate  for  the  type 
of  ships  and  the  number  of  pilots  we  carry.  Under  the  conditions  that  exist 
at  present  our  gas  allowance  permits  of  a little  less  than  two  hours  per  month 
per  pilot,  which  makes  it  extremely  difficult  to  maintain  proficiency  as  a. 
service  pilot#  Sc  if  the  bad  weather  continues  for  three  more  days,  we  will 
have  saved  enough  gas  to  take  off  a three-ship  formation,  fly  one  hour  and 
forty-five  minutes  and  land,  dead  stick. 

Right  now  I wish  to  state,  loud  and  strong,  a fact.  If  there  is  any 
National  Guard  outfit  in  the  United  States  that  can  beat  this  record,  let’s 
hear  from  them.  In  the  thr.ee.  years  the  113th  operated  from*  Stout  Field,  under 
the  command  of  Major  R.F.  Taylor,  we  have  flown  considerably- over  10,000  hours. 
This  includes  all  sorts  of  flying  (except  the  hangar  variety) , night  and  day 
formation,  cross-country,  etc.,  without  a forced  landing  through  motor  or  me- 
chanical trouble  or  a seribus  accident.  We  would  like  to  hear  from  any  outfit 
that  can  beat  that • 

Luke  Field,  T.H.,  December  7th,  1929. 

Following  out  our  recently  adopted  policy  of  broadening  our  activities 
throughj-many  inter-island  training  flights,  Luke  Field  sent  a flight  of  seven 
planes  to  Hilo  on  November  29th,  returning  to  Luke  Field  the  following  day. 

Capt.  Frank.. H.  Pritchard,  Lieut s.  L.P.  Holcomb,  John  H.  Dulligan,  Ulysses  G. 
Jones,  Eyrie  G.  Johnson  and  Thomas  L.  Gilbert  formed  the  personnel  of  this 
flight-,  using  three  Amphibian  planes,  three  Martin  Bombers  and  one  Keystone 
LB-5  Somber.-  - 

Aloha  flights,  were  performed  by  this  station  for  the  U.S.A.T.  GRANT,  and 
the  CHATEAU  THIERRY  as.  they  entdred  Honolulu  harbor  and  again- when 'they,  left 
for  other  ports. 

Night-flying  has  started  as  part  of  our  regular  training  program,  and 
missions  from  all  the  squadrons  are  performed  on  Tuesday  and  Wednesday  evenings. 

On. November  2nd  a Chandelle  was  held  at  the  Palm  Lodge  on  the  Peninsula, 
and  every  officer  from  Luke  Field  was  present  and  enjoyed  the  program  arranged 
by  Major  Maxwell  Kirby,  who  presided  in  the  capacity  of  Master  of  Ceremonies 
and  Toastmaster.  Several  after  dinner  speeches  were  enjoyed,  and  a quartet 
offered  some  real  harmony.  Luke  F-iold's  popular  orchestra  provided  good  music 
before  the  dinner  was  served.  A Chandelle  will  be  held  on  the  first  Saturday 
of  each  month,  and  the  officer  who  is  returning  to  the. States  in  that  month 
will  be : Mas ter  of  Ceremonies  and  accept  the  gifted  duties  of  Toastmaster# 

The  following  officers  of  the  Air  Corps,  and  their  families  arrived  at 
this  station  on  November  12th  aboard  the  U.S.A.T.  "CHATEAU  THIERRY"; 

Major  Rae  Houke,  M.C.;  Capt.  Horace  N.  Heisen;  1st  Lieut.  Joseph  W.  Benson.; 
2nd.Lieuts,.  Edgar  T.  Noyes,  John  H;  Dulligan  and  Mark  D.S.  Steensen-. 

.This  is  Lieut.  Benson’s  second  trip  to  the  Hawaiian  Department  for  duty, 
having  served  here  in  1923,  1924  ahd  1925. 

Capt... Prank  H.  Pritchard,  who  has  been  stationed  at  Wheeler  Field  in 
this  Department,  was  transferred  to  Luke  Field  for  further  duty. 

1st.  iieuts.  James  F.J.  Early  and  Joseph- W.  Benson  are  attending  the  School 
for  Cooks  and  Bakers  at  Schofield  Rar racks,  T.H. 

- 17  - 


Y-5969,A.C. 


1st  Lieut.  R.R. Brown, ':Pbst  Exchange  Officer,  is  busy- packing  and  preparing 
tc  leave  for  the  mainland  bn  the  January  transport.  Liout 3r  own  will"  be 
stationed  at  Fort  McPherson,  Ga.,  upon  his  arrival  in  the  States.  1st  Lieut . 
Harold  F.  Reuse  will  replace  Lieut.  Brown  in  his  duties  as'Post  Exchange  Officer. 

Luke  Field  is  in  the  midst  of  its  athletic  sports  and  there  reigns -;a  high 
spirit  among  tile -squadrons  who  are  Competing  for  the  Euntz-Moses  Trophy.'  The 
Fourth  Observation  Squadron  had  very  little  opposition  in  winning  the  Basket- 
ball Championship,  taking  eight  straight  victories.  The  23d  Bombardment  S quad- 
roon finished  in  second  place,  the  Staff  in  third  place,  the  72d  Bombardment 
Squadron  in  fourth  and  the  65th  Service  Squadron  bringing  up  the  rear. 

From  the  outstanding  stars  of  each  Squadron  Luke  Field  team  was  picked 
to  represent  this  station  in.  the  Sector  tournament. 

On  November  21st * an  inter -squadron  smoker  was  held  and  the  eight  bout s 
scheduled  started  the  annual  ■ boxing  season.  Every  bout  on  this  card  was  filled 
with  plenty  of  action,  and  the  contestants  displayed  real  art  in  the  puglistic 
game.  The  72d  Bombardment  Squadron  carried  away  100  points;  the  4-th  Squadron’s 
boxing  team  came  in  a close  second  with  90  points  to  their  credit;  the  23d 
Bombardment  Squadron  won  50  points,  and  the  65th  and  Staff  teams  took  zero  as 
their  points.  The  largo  crowd  attending  the  smoker  was  well  satisfied  with 
the  results  and  the  spirit • displayed  by  the'  fighters. 

The  following  personnel  officiated  at  the  smoker : Lieut . Dulligan,  referee, 
Capt.  Temple,  Lieuts . Foster ,•  Holcomb  and  Gillespie,  judges . Lieut . Lowe,  in 
charge  cf  the  boxing  teams,  arranged  the  bouts  so  that  every  contest  was  ar- 
ranged on  an  equal  basis  of  weight,  ability  and  experience  among  the  contest- 
ants. 

. The  basketball  court  is  being  roofed  and  upon  its  completion  will  provide 
an;  all  weather  arena  in  which  to  hold  Luke  Field  athletic  activities,  and  en- 
listed men’ s dances. 

Over  one  ton  of  Turkey  was  roasted  to  a King’s  taste  'for  the  enlisted  men 
of  this  station  on  Thursday,  November  28th.  The  Mess  Sergeants  we re  busy  all 
week  preparing  the  doomed  fowls  and  bakihg  cakes,  puddings'and  pies.  When  the 
Mess  Call  was  sounded,  800  soldiers  of  the  Air  Corps',  • stationed  at  Lake  Field, 
sat  down  to  a Thanksgiving  Dinner  that  was  arranged  for  them  and  which  con- 
tained style,  quality  and  quantity  par  excellence. 

San  Antonio  Air  Depot,  Duncan  Field,  Texas,  Dec.  31st,  1929 

: Lieut.  Charles  E.  Branshaw,  Chief  Engineer  Officer  of  the  Depot,  returned 
to  duty  on  December  22d  from  a;  spell  of  sickness  at'  the  Station  Hospital,  Ft. 

Sam  Houston,  Texas,  beginning  November  9th,  and  sick  leave  since  December  6th. 

A pleasant  holiday  occasion  at  the  Post  was  the  Christmas  party  held  on 
Saturday,  December  21st,  for  the  personnel  of  the  Depot "and  their  families. 
Through  the  courtesy  of  Kolly  Fiold,  a band  from  that  station  rendered  dolight- 
ful  music;  and  a surprising  amount  of  local  talent Was' manifested  in  the  pre- 
sentation of  various  items  of  entertainment . Light  refreshments  were  sorved, 
and  the  general  feeling  of  fellowship  and  Christmas  spirit  tended  to  make  the 
affair  a most  successful  one. 

''  • ■Capt.  Waiter  H.  Reid,  Air  Corps  Instructor  with,  the  Texas  National'  Guard 
at  Houston,  Texas,  was  among  the  visitors  at  this  Depot  during' the  month,  com- 
ing in  on  the  13th  and  again  on  the  30th,  for  National  Guard  planes  turned  out 
by  the  Depot . 

Selfil'dge  Field,  Mt . Clemens,  Mich.,  January  8th. 

During  the' month  of  December,  due  to  exceptionally  bad  weather  which  re- 
sulted from 'continuous  rain,  snow  ©,nd  high  winds,  it  was  possible  to  perform 
but  very  littiq  flying.  There  were,  in  fact,  22  days  during  this  period  with- 
out sunshine  , Of  these  22  days,  the  metccrc legist  marked  10  of  thSip  danger- 
ous for'  flying.  After  the  heavy  snows  during  the  first  part ' of  the  month, 
all  Pursuit "shins  were  equipped  with  skiis,  and  some  intermittent  flying  per- 
formed. After  a.  few  days,  however,  the  weather,  warmed  up  and  skiis  had  to  be 
taken  off.  and  the  old  reliable  wheels  installed.  Duo!  to  this  bad  weather, 
very  few  pilots  visited  this  station  during  the  month.  ^ ' 

Lieut ..  Bruner , flying  an  0-2,  arrived  from  Wright  Field  on  December  2nd 
and  returned 'the'  following  day.,  Lieut.  Quosada,  with  one  passenger,  in  an 
0-2,  arrived  from  Bolling  Field  on  December  4th  returning  via  Pittsburgh  on 

- 18  - V-5969.A.C. 


the  5th.  1st  Lieut.  Julian  B.  Haddon,  now  stationed  at  Wright  Field  and  not  so 
long  ago  Adjutant  at  this  station,  arrived  here... on  the-  8th  and  returned  to 
Wright  Field  on  the  same  day.  1st  Lieut.  Martinus  Stenseth,  formerly  Command- 
ing Officer  of.  the  17th  Pursuit  Squadron,  arrived  from  Belling  on  t'he  26th. 

Lieut.  Stranahan,  also  from  Billing,'  arrived  hhe  following  day . Both  officers,  i 
were  delayed  hy  bed  weather,1  but  returned  on  ' the"  30th. 

17th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Air  Corps;  The  end  of- -the  Holiday  Season  found  us:  -v 
with  quite  .a  bit  of  activity,  namely,  preparations  for  the'  trip  to  Srpokane, 

Wash.  Several  ships  were  returned1  from  the  Fairfx’eld  Air  Intermediate  Depot  .‘4 
after  being  groomed  for  this  event,  thus  giving  iis  almost  our  full  quota  again..-  r 
There  was  considerable  flying  on  ski is,  including  the  P-T  on  which  ski is  are 
mounted  on  the  axle  with  the  wheel.  It  does  nicely  and  takes  off  like  a sea-  . 
plane,  a step  at  a time.  ' ' 

Cross-cotmtryes  this  month  were  rather  limited,  due  to  shortage  of  ships.- 
However,  Lieut.  ,R.D.  Moor,  made  hops  to  Toledo  on  the  1st  and  14th;  Lieut . Av L.", 
Moore  to  Battle  Creek  and  Lieut.  Laurence  W.  Koons  to  Cleveland  on  the  14th; 

Major  Ralph  Royce  and  Lieut.  Paul  W.  Wolf  on  the  27th,  left  on  a trip  with  . - 

stops  at  Toledo  and  Columbus. 

Leaves  of  absence  were  granted  Lieuts.  Coleman,  Olds,  Shanahan,  Warburton, 
Estes,  G-iovannoli,  Burns  and  Van  Auken  for  the  Christmas  Holidays.  Those  who 
remained  were  guests  of  the  Squadron  for  Christmas  dinner,  which  was  one  of 
those  kind  more  often  thought  of  than  eaten. 

Basketball  practice  is  now  well  under  way,  with  much  enthusiasm  and  a 
great  deal  cf  premise  shown.  Plenty  of  new  equipment  has  been  provided  for 
the  team  and  great  things  are  hoped  for  this  season. 

The  Squadron  will  be  very  sorry  to  lose  Lieuts.  Aubry  Moore  and  Max  Warren, 
transferred  tc  the  Training  Center,  San  Antonio,  Texas.  We  wish  them  "Happy 
Landings"  and  a pleasant  time  at  their  new  station. 

94th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Air  Corps:  The  94th  enjoyed  a very  excellent 
Christmas  dinner  this  year,  having  all  the  officers  and  wives,  non-commissioned 
officers  and  their  wives  and  a large  majority  cf  the  enlisted  personnel  present. 

After  spending  over  seven  years  with  the  94th  Sqdn.,  cut  1st  Sgt . Henry 
G-.  Wilkes,  was  promoted  to  the  grade  cf  Mr.  Sergeant  and  transferred  to  the 
15th  Obs  . Sqdn.  Sgt.  Nathan  W.  Beacher  is  now  cur  1st  Sergeant  and  is  making 
the  boys  step  lively.  Cpl.  Charles  Jauga  was  promoted  to  the  grade  cf  Sergeant. 
Pvts.  1st  Class  Charles  Pung  and  Edwin  Olson  were  promoted  to  the  grade  of  Cor- 
poral. 

Lieut.  Durward  0.  Lowry  was  on  leave  fdr  seven  days,  spending  a very  en- 
joyable time  in  the  jack  pines  at  Alpenam  Michigan.  Lieut.  Theodore  M.  Bolen 
was  on  leave  in  Tennessee  and  reported  upon  returning  that  he  slid  most  of 
the  way  after  getting  into  the  mountains. 

27th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Air  Corps;  Colonel  .and  Mrs.  Chas . H.  Danfcrth,  and 
Captain  and  Mrs.  A.J.  Etheridge  honored  the  Squadron  with  their  presence  at 
the  Thanksgiving  dinner.  Eight  officers  were  recently  assigned  to  the  Squad- 
ron; viz:-  Lieuts.  Boatner;  Ramey £ Smith, F.G.;  Yost;  Brown;  LeMay  and  Hegy. 

Having  won  the  Pest  Football  Championship,  attention  is  now  being  turned 
to  developing  an  equally  good  basketball  team.  Lt . Roger  M.  Ramey  is  in 
charge,  assisted  by  Lieut.  W.R.  Morgan. 

Lieut.  Hoyt  L.  Pr indie  departed  for  duty  in  the  Hawaiian  Islands.  He 
decided  to  turn  the  trip  into  a honeymoon  shortly  before  leaving.  We  wish  him 
all  the  haopiness  in  the  world. 

15th  Observation  Squadron,  Air  Corps:  Due  to  heavy  continued  snow,  the 
0-2* s are  being  equipped  with  skiis  instead  of  wheels. 

Information  was  received  that  the  shortage  of  ships  will  soon  b®  relieved 
by  the  addition  of  eight  0-11’ s as  replacement  for  0-2»s.  In  the  meantime 
the  ship  shortage  was  somewhat  relieved  by  the  loan  cf  2 P-3Ts  from  the  Pur- 
suit Group,  one  of  which  is  equipped  with  skiis. 

Preceding  the  hop  on  December  20th,  the  officers  cf  the  Squadron  had  a 
"Dutch  Dinner"  at  the  quarters  of  Lieut,  and  Mrs.  J.T . Morris. 

Cpl.  Langlands  is  in  the  Post  Hospital  recovering  from  a very  serious 
siege  of  pneumonia. 

Staff  Sgt.  Kretz  left  on  the  transport  for  Hawaii  as  replacement  for 
Staff  Sg£.  Mayers,  who  has  been  assigned  to  this  organization. 


- 19  - 


V-5969 , A.C 


Rockwell  Field,  Cere  hade,  Calif  .,  January  6th . . 

AH  LB-7  Bombers,  the  Fckker  Transport  and  one.  Boeing  P-12  Pursuit  plane 
are  being  equipped  with  complete  radio  sets.  During  a gr<~up  flight  to  Crissy 
Field  on  December  27th,  the  Bombers,  equipped  with  the  first,  radio  sets  to 
-arrive  here.,  maintained  constant  communication  with  ground  stations  on  the 
•coa^t,.  receiving  weather  reports  throughout  the  entire  journey. 

•Majqr  H.H.  Arnold,  Chief  of  the  Field  Service  Section,  Materiel  Division, 
wqs.  a most  welcome  visitor  at  Rockwell  Field,  January  2nd  to  4th.  While  here 
he  mad$  an  inspection  of. the  Rockwell  Air  Depot.  Major  Arno Id  was ' the  Command- 
ing: Off  icer  of  Rockwell  Field  from  March  to  May,  .1.919,  and  again. from  1922  to 
1924.  He  is  also  the  author  of  the  Rockwell  Field  History. 

War  Department  orders  were  deceived  transferring  Lieut s.  A.J,  Mickle  and 
K. A..  Rogers, . of  the'.  95th  Pursuit  Squadron,  to  the  Air  Corns  Training  Center 
for  a ..course  of  instruction.  Upon  the  completion  thereof,  about  March  1st, 
these  officers  will  be  assigned  to  March  Field  for  duty. 


J 


■:rs  14 


' •'  ::r-  •' 


- 20  - 


V-5969, A.C. 


VOL.  XIV 


FEBRUARY  6,  1930 


NO.  2 


TABLE  OE  CONTENTS 


page 

Stranded  Aviator  Freezes  on  Desert 21  - g2 

General  Craig  Inspects  France  Field 22 

Lieut.  Matheny  to  Receive  Cheney  Award  23-24 

France  Field  Airmen  Celebrate 24 

Engineering -Supply  Conference  at  Wright  Field 25 

Allotment  of  Officers  to  Air  Corps  Tactical  School 25-26 

Soldiers  Medal  for  Lieut.  Matheny 26 

Flying  Instructors*  School  Opens  26 

Army  Airmen  Excel  in  polo 26-27 

Commercial  Aviation  Officials  Consult  Air  Corps  Engineers 27 

Extended  Cross-Country  Flight  by  Lieutenant  Thorpe  27-28 

Large  Class  of  Enlisted  Men  to  Undergo  Flying  Training  28-29 

Reduction  in  the  Cost  of  Air  Travel 29 

Courses  of  Instruction  for  Second  Bombardment  Group, . . 30 

Fog  Proves  Impenetrable  Barrier 30 

Advanced  School  Students  Seek  Regular  Army  Commissions  30 

Engineering  School  Students  Resume  Studies  30 

The  Arctic  Patrol  Flight  of  the  First  pursuit  Group 31-37 

New  Officers  for  the  Air  Corps 37-38 

A Cathedral  of  the  Air  38 

Captain  Stevens  Designated  for  Mackay  Trophy  38-39 

War  Department  Orders  Affecting  Air  Corps  Officers  39-40 

Notes  from  Air  Corps  Fields 41 


V-5980,A.C 


AIR 


CORPS 


NEWS 


VOL.  XIT 

Information  Division  •.  -/.  Munitions  Building 

Air  Corps  - Febrmry  6, ,1930,  , ■ : . „..:hAlMtM,  D,c. 

The  chief  purpose  of  this  publication  is' to"  distribute  information  on 
aeronautics  to  the  flying  personnel  in  the  Regular  Army,  Reserve  Corps, National 
Guard,  and  others  connected  with  aviation. 

— 0O0 

STRANDED  AVIATOR  FREEZES  ON  DESERT  • 

Freezing'  on  a desert  is  a rather  odd  hit  of  news,  since  one  is  accustomed 
to  associating  a desert  with  climate  where  the  thermometer  hits  the  high  places. 
Nevertheless,  this  was  the  unusual  experience  recently  of  Lieut.  Robert  E. 

Selff,  Air  Corps,  stationed  at  Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif. 

Not  long  ago , when  "Bob’1  was  on  duty  in  the  Materiel  Liaison  Section, 

Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  he  agreed,  with  mental  reservations,  that 
the  climate  of  a Washington  winter  was  not  so  bad.  But  this  was  some  time  be- 
fore he  embarked  on  his  eventful  flight  from  Rockwell  Field  to  San  Francisco, 
when  he  spent  the  coldest  night  of  his  -life  on  barren  Nevada  desert  land. 

"Bob"  was  due  for  a cross-country  flight j'  and  decided  on  San  Francisco  as 
his  destination.  He  had  managed  to  get  hold  of  tickets  for,  the  Army-Stanford 
football  game,  and  decided  to  combine  business  with  pleasure.  Averse  to  doing 
things  by  halves,  he  took  a tuxedo  along  so  that  he  may  not  miss  Cut  on.  any 
social  event  taking  place  after  the  game. 

On  Friday,  December  27th,  "Bob’1  took  off  from  Rockwell  • Field,  in  .his  trusty 
PW-9D,  with  a feeling  of  confidence  that  he  would  make  the  aerial  jaunt  to 
"Frisco"  in  record  time.-  But  the  fates  were  unkind  to  him.  Everything  seemed 
to  be  "hotsy  totsy"  when  all  of  a sudden  he  became  enveloped  in  a thick  fog. 

He  arose  above  the  mist  as  best  he  could  and  tried  to  stay  there.  He  saw  what 
he  thought  was  Mt.  Diablo  near  San  Francisco.  The  peak  was  sticking  up  through 
the  fog,  and  he  circled  to  the  right  of  the  mountain  hoping  to  come  down  the 
bay  to  San  Francisco.  Instead,  the  mountain  proved  to  be  Mt.  Whitney.  No 
matter  how  high  he  flew,  the  mountain  always  remained  several  hundred  feet 
higher. 

The  fog  then  cleared  just  enough  for  him  to  sight  a railroad  track.  He 
swooped  down  along  this  as  close  as  he  dared,  but  the  track:  ran  into  a hill- 
side mine.  Once  more  he  tried  to  find  some  familiar  landmark,  but  the  gas 
tank  recorded  only  a half : hour  of  flight  left.  Near. .the'  end  of  that  precious 
half  hour  he  sighted  what  seemed  to  be  a dry  lake  bed.  But  the  bed  had  a shine 
to  it,  and  he  did  not  know  whether  or  not  water  was  there.  "Bob"  then  tried  a 
trick  new  to  aviation.  He  swooped  down  over  the  bed,  pulled  his-  stick  back, 
and  let  his  tail  skid  just  touch  the  surface.  Dust  flew  up  and' he  knew  thofi 
that  no  water  was  thStre,  so  he  returned  and  landed. 

As  is  customary  with  forced  landings,  Lieut.  Selff . expected  to  see  autos 
and  children  run  out  to  meet  him.  They  still  do  this  sort- Jof  thing  in- the 
bade  country. - Instead,  however,  he  was  greeted  with  a silence  eternal  and 
everlasting,  and  his  altimeter  recorded,  on  the  ground,  6,000  feet. 

Not  having  the  least  idea  where  he  was,  "Bob"  gathered  wood  and  built  a 
fire  to  attract  attention.  He  filled  his  cigarette  lighter  with  the  remnant 
of  the  gasoline  left  in  the  tank  and  used  this  for  starting  the  blaze,.  He 
sprinkled  the  wood  with  gasoline  he  carried  over  in  a soap: container  from,  his 
handbag*  By  this  time  tiis  fingers  were  numb  from  cold.  He  pointed  his  ship 
to  the  setting  sun  to  check  his  compass.  Using  the  bonfire  as  a spot,  he 
walked  through  the  night  to  a hill  six  miles  away.  From  its'  summit  he  looked 
around.  What  he  thought  might  be  the  lights  of  houses  turned  out  to  be  stars. 
The  altitude  fooled  him. 

Returning  to  his  fire,  "Bob"  put  on  all  the  clothes  he  had  brought  along, 
three  pairs  of  socks,  an  extra  pair  of  trousers,  flying  suit,  topcoat  and 
blouse.  Bu.t  even  with  all  this  clothing  on  his  person  he  could  not  keep  warm. 

He  dared  not  fall  asleep  for  fear  he  would  freeze  to  death.  Beyond  the  fire 
and  in  back  of  him  he  suddenly  saw  objects  moving  around  in  the  darkness.  A 
pack  of  coyotes  had  come  to  the  fire.  They  were  so  close  that  through  the 
reflection  of  the  flames  he  could  see  their  teeth  when  they  wrinkled  their 
lips.  He  got  hold  of  the  crank  from  his  plane  and  yelled  at  them,  but  they 
Would  retreat  only  a few  yards,  then  return.  To  keep  warm  and  to  keep  the 


coyotes  at  a distance,  he  executed  a war  dance  around  the  fife,  shouting  to 
keep" warn,  sometimes  singing,  probably  such  themes  as  the  "Desert  Song,"  "Button 
Up  Your  Overcoat,  Turn  on  the  Heat,"  etc.  Bat  he  couldn’t  whistle,. he  was 
shivering  too- much.  What  effect  his  vocal:  efforts'  ^produced  on  his  coyote 
audience  is  not'  recorded.  . • <• 

Rebuilding  the  fire,  he  wrapped  his  feet  in  the  parachute-  bag  and  main- 
tained a tedious  vigil  until  the  'stars  faded  with  the  coming  of  dawn  and  the 
baffled  coyotes  slunk  away  to  their  respective  lairs.  Sunrise  found  him  with 
frost  on  his  chest  where  his  breath  had  ffo'ze'h.. 

Leaving  a note  on  his  plane,  advising  nobody  to  stay  there  overnight  be- 
cause of  the  cold,,  he  started  walking.  After  cove  ring,-,  ten  miles  he  sighted  a 
din.  cow  trail  with  a weatherbeaten  sign  "Gilbert  - 16?  miles. " The  sign, 
however,  failed  to -disclose  the  direction,  ly.- this  time  he  was  so  thirsty 
that  he  could  hardly  see.  He  did  manage,  to. -discern  a -broken  beer  bottle  near 
the  edge 'of.  the  'trail  and  carried  it  along:  with  him  to  serve  as  a cup  in  the 
hope.  that  he-  might' find  water.  . . Then  he  saw  another -.sign.,  reading  "Tonopah  - 
35  miles  But  again  the  direction  was  not  mentioned.  Still  walking  he 
came  to  a clurrp  of  green  sagebrush.  The  ground  was  moist  there,  and  he  sank 
his  beer  bottle  into-  it  to  catch  drops  and  then  wait  for  the  dirt  to  settle. 

Uhile  thus-  waiting  recollections  came  .to  him  of  a movie  he  had  seen  which 
depicted  a.  thirsty  "pro sx^ector  slowly  crawling  along  scorched  desert  sand  and 
reaching  a water  hole  only  to  find-  a sign  there  reading:  "Poison  - Do  not 
drink.  I'-  - "Wait,  a moment-, " he'  said  to  himself,  "this  water  might  not' be  good 
after  all."  He  walked  away  and  watched.  Presently  a member  of  the  feathered 
tribe  ’swooped ’down  t o,-v the  sage  brush , drank  its  fill,  and  flew  away.  "I  guess 
that  bird  must  -know  his  btisiness., " muttered  Bob,  as  he  returned  to  the  spot 
and  proceeded  to  moisten  his. mouth  with  what  his  beer  bottle  had  caught. 

It  was  now  ten.  o'clock  and  so  cold  that  tho  frost  was  still  on  his  chest. 
Lieut.  Selff ,.  however,  began  shedding  his  clothes,  carrying  the  monster  pack 
■under  his  arm  in  preference  to  spending  another  night  in  the  open. 

That  night,  December  28th,  as  he  was  still  walking,  he  saw  something  he 
thought  was  a canyon  or  ditch.  He  crawled  to  the  edge  of  it  to  look  over. 

The  shiny  something  proved  to  be  a 'highway  - and  the  highway  was  paved  and 
led  to  a small  oil  station,  thence  into  Tonopah,  Nevada,-  a small  walk  of 
only  38  miles.  . ■ 

oOo 

GENERAL  CRAIG  INSPECTS  PRANCE  PIELD 

' The  annual  inspection-  of  France  Field  by  the  Commanding  General,  Panama 
Canal  Department, ' was -made  on  the  morning  of  December  20  th  last.  Major-General 
Malin  E.  Craig  and  his  staff  came  by  train  from; -the  Pacific  side.  An  inspec- 
tion of  the  planes  and  personnel  on  the  flying  line  preceded  the  Review. 

An  event  of  this  inspection  is  noteworthy,  as  Mr.  Lewis,  the  Field 
• Manager'  for  the  Pan  American  Airways,  ordered  the  PAA  planes  on  the  line  and 
personnel. ‘standing  by  for  inspection  by  -the  Commanding.  General.  Mr.  Lewis  in- 
vited the  Commanding  General  to  include  the  PAA  in  the  inspection,  inasmuch  as 
the  PAA  occupies  one  of  the  hangars  of  the-  25th  Bombardment  Squadron  and  uses 
France  Field  as  a terminal.  , • 

The  Commanding  General,  before  reaching  the  reviewing  stand,  was  given  * 
aerial  photographs  depicting  his-  arrival  at  Mount  Hope  Railroad -Station,  and 
his  arrival  by' automobile  at  France  Field.  Lieut.  Williams,  Commanding  Officer 
of  the  12th  Photo  Section,  made  the  'pictures,  and  the  developing  and  -printing 
by  the  Section. was.  made’  in  record  time. 

The  Aerial  Review  followed  the  'line  inspection,  and  the  flights  passed  in 
excellent  formation.  It  must  be  remembered  that  General  Craig  is  very 
familiar  with  Aerial  Reviews,  and- badly  spaced  flights  would  not  pass  without 
unfavorable-  comment.  - 

After  the  detailed -inspection  of  hangars,  shops  and  barracks,  the , Com- 
manding General  assembled  ail  officers  in  Group  Headquarters  where  he  held  a 
short  critique,  became  acquainted  with  the  officers  who  are-  recent  arrivals 
in  the  Department,  and  .departed  for-Qqarry  Heights  on  the  Pacific  side-, 
y -OOo 

A splendid  means  of -entertainment  is  being  afforded  France  Field  person- 
nel by  a small  group‘-'o"f  bdnd  members  who  have  organized  a jazz  band-  In  order 
that  the  entire  commahd  may  enjoy  this  music,  the  orchestra  plays  on  two 
evenings  each  week  at  the  Post  Movies. 

-22-  7-5980,  A. C. 


LIEUT.  MATHENY  TO  RECEIVE  CHENEY  AWARD-  : 

Eor  performing 'an  outstanding  act  of  valor  and  .self-sacrifice  worthy  of  the 
highest  commendation,  2nd  Lieut.  •William  A.  Matheny,  Air  Corps,  upon /-the  recom- 
mendation of  a Board  of  Air  Corps  officers,  was  designated  by  Maj or- General 
James  E.  Fechet,  Chief  of  the -Air  Corps,  to  receive  . the  Cheney  Award  .for  1929, 
which  consists  of  a "bronze'  plaque  with  the  name  of  . the  recipient  engraved' there- 
on, an  engraved  Certificate  of  Award  and  $500.00  in-  cash. 

The  Board,  which  consisted  of  Brigadier- General  William  E. . Gillmore.,  Assis- 
tant to  the'  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps;  Lieut  .-Colonel  Ira  Longanecker,  ..Chief  of  the 
Information  Division,  and  Major  L.W.  McIntosh,  Executive  Officer  in  the  Off ice 
of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  were  unanimous  in  their  recommendation  that  . 
Lieut.  Matheny* s conduct  was  the  most  outstanding  and  meritorious  act  performed 
"by  any'  individual  'eligible  to*  receive  the-  Cheney  Award. 

The  act  of  valor  and  self-sacrifice  for  which  the  award  was  made  occurred 
at  Managua,  Nicaragua, * on  August  30,  1929.  Lieut.  -Mat heny,  with  1st  Lieut. 
Dwight  J.  Canfield  and  Sergeant  Wright  took  off  from  Managua',  Nicaragua,  in  an 
LB-6  Bomber,  which  was  one  of  four  being  ferried  from  the  United  States  to 
Panama  for  use  in  the  Canal  Zone. 

Lieut's.  Canfield  and  Matheny  were  in  the  pilots'  seats  with  the  latter  at 
the  controls.  When  about  seven  miles  but  of  Managua,  -the  left  motor  of  the 
plane  caught  fire.  Turning  back,  Lieut.  Matheny  headed  for  the  field  at 
Managua,  with  his  right  motor  at  full  throttle  in  an  attempt  to  reach  it.  Ply- 
ing the  plane  in  this  manner  tended  to  overtax  the  motor  and  it  froze,  leaving 
the  plane  with  normative  power.  As  the  altitude  at  this  time  was  too  low  to 
permit  the  personnel  to  use  their  parachutes  with  safety,  Lieut.  Matheny  had  no 
alternative  except  to  attempt  to  land  the  plane  in  the  jungle.  As- the. plane  was 
about  to  strike  the  ground,  Lieut.  Canfield  loosened  his  safety  belt.  The  plane 
crashed  in  the  jungle  and  its  entire  nose  was  broken  off  as  far  back  as-  the  in- 
strument board.  Sergeant  Wright,  in  the  rear  cockpit,  was  catapulted.. clear  of 
the  plane  and  was  thrown  some  distance  into  the  jungle.  Immediately  after  the 
crash  the  gasoline  tanks  burst  and  both  officers  were  saturated  with  gasoline, 
Lieut,  Jfeitheny,  thrown  a short  distance  from-  the  plane,  was  unhurt  except  for  a 
few  cuts  on  his  hands.  . He  ran  clear  of  the 'wreckage  , but  turning  to  look  for 
his  companion  saw  the  plane  enveloped  in  flames  with  Lieut.  Canfield  sitting  at 
the.  side  of'  it  apparently  conscious  but  unable  to  move.  ' 

Disregarding  his  own  safety,  he  ran  back  to  the  burning  plane,  and  by  . 
tugging  at  the  clothing  of  Lieut.  Canfield  assisted  him  to  his'  feet  and  dragged 
him  away  from  the"  flames. 

By  this  time  Lieut.  Canfield  had  apparently  recovered  from  his,  daze  and 
dashed  for  the  opon  with  his  gasoline- soaked  clothes  a mass  of  flames.  Liout. 
Matheny  then  tackled  him  and  attempted  to  roll  him. in  the  wet  grass  in  ordor  to 
’Smother  the  flames.  In  so  doing  Lieut.'  Matheny*  s clothes  also  caught-  fire. 

Lieut . Canfield  then  extricated  himself  from  Lieut.  Matheny* s endeavor  .to  put  out 
tho  flames,  jumped  to  his  foot  and  rushed  into  the  jungle. 

Lieut.  Matheny  then  attempted  to  smother  tho  flamos  on  his  own  body  which 
wore  by  this  time  burning  his  flesh,  and  succeeded  at  the  expense  of  severe 
burns  and  terrible  pain.  Ho  then  started  to  search  for  Liout'.  Canfield  and 
found  him  with  the.  flames  extinguished  from  his  person 'sitting  on  an  old  jungle 
road.  Both  of ficors  wore  forced  to  wait  for  an  hour  before  aid  reached  them. 
Lieut.  Canfield  died  that  night  as  a result  of  his  burns.  Lieut.  Ma" theny . was 
confined  to  the  hospital  for  about  three' weeks  as  a rosult  of  his  injuries. 

In  making  its  recommendation,  the  Board  stated  that  the  heroism  displayed 
by  Liout.  Matheny  in  disregarding  his  own  safety- and  running  to  the  assistance 
of  Lieut.  Canfield  with  tho  certain  knowledge  of  catching  firo  reflects  groat 
credit  upon  himself  and  moasuros  up  to  the  traditions  of  tho  military  service, 

.The  Cheney  .Award  was  established  in  memory’ of  First  Lieutenant  William  H. 
Cheney,  Air  Service,  who  was  killed  in  an  air  collision  at  Foggia,  Italy,  on 
January  20,  1918.  Tho  donors  are  Mrs.  Mary  L.C.  Scofield,  Peterboro,  New 
Hampshire,  and  Mrs.  Ruth  Cheney  Streeter,  of  Morristown,  New  Jersey,  the  mother 
and  sister,  respectively,  of  the  deceased  officer.  They  have  set  aside  a trust 
fund  of  $15,000,  'the  interest  from  which  is  to  be  used  to  make  the  award  which 
is  bestowed  annually  by  the  Chief  of  tho  Air  Corps  for  an  act  of  valor  or  ex- 
treme; fortitude  or  self  sacrifice  in  a humanitarian  interest  not  necessarily  of 
a military  nature  but  which  shall  have  been -performed  in  connect ion. with  air- 
craft. Officers  and  enlisted  men. of  the  Air.  Corps,,  the  Air  Corps  Reserve  And, 

-23-  - V-5980,  A.  C. 


ill  the  event  of  a posthumous  award;;  the  widow,  or  next  of  kin  are  eligible  to 
receive  the  award. 

Although  the  income  from  the  trust  fund  exceeds.  $500. 00: per. year,  the  re- 
mainder is  placed  in  a sinking  fund, for  possible  use  in  the.  event  more  than  a 
single  individual  is  recommended  for  the  award.  . 

Lieut.  Matheny  is  the  third  member  of  the- Air  Corps  to  receive  the  Cheney 
Award  and,  incidentally,  all  of  these  three  men.  were,,  at  the  time  of  the  perfor- 
mance of  the  deed  of  valor  entitling  them  to  the  Cheney  Award,,  stationed  at 
Langley  Field,  Hampton,  Va. 

In  1927  the  Cheney  Award  was  bestowed  on  Master  Sergeant,  Harry  Chapman,  of 
the  19th  Airship  Company,  Langley  Field,  Va..-,  for  conspicuous  bravery  in  the 
Air shi-p  ROMA,  disaster  which  occurred  in  February,  1921.  In  1928,  Lieut.  Uzal 
G-,  Ent,  Air  Corps,  received  the  award  for  his  heroism  during  the  National 
Elimination  Balloon  Race..  He  was  aide  to. Lieut.  Paul  Evert,  Air  Corps,  the 
pilot  of  the  Air  Corps  balloon.  When  the  bag  was  struck  by  lightning,  Lieut. 
Evert  was  instantly  killed  and  the  balloon  caught  fire.  Instead  of  jumping  ^ 

with  his  parachute,  Lieut-w  Ent ^ at  great  peril  to  his  life,  remained  in  the 
burning  balloon'  and  endeavored  to  -revive  his  companion.  Being  inflated  with 
hydrogen  gas,  there  was  danger  of  the  balloon  exploding  at  any  moment. 

Lieut.  Matheny  was  born  in  Carrington,  North  Dakota,  and  gives  his  resi- 
dence as  at  that  place.  He  graduated  as  electrical  engineer  from  the  Marquette 
University,  class  of  1926.  During  the  four  years  of  his  university  training  he 
was  employed  by  the  Duquesne  Light  and  Power  Company,  and  also  as  a cooperative 
student  with  the  Wisconsin  Telephone  Company,  He  was  appointed  a Flying  Cadet 
in  1928,  graduated  from  the  Primary  Flying  School  at  Brooks  Field,  Texas,  on 
November  1st  of  that-  year,  and  from  the' Advanced  Flying  School,  Kelly  Field, 
Texas,  four  months  later.  He  was  appointed  a 2nd  Lieutenant  in  the  Air  Corps 
Reserve,  with  the  rating  of  Airplane  Pilot.  On  May  2,  1929  , he  was  appointed 
a 2nd  Lieutenant  in  the  Air  Corps,  Regular  Army,  with  station  at  Langley  Field, 
Va.,  v/here  he  has  remained- since  that  date. 

oOo 

FRANCE  FIELD  AIRMEN  CELEBRATE 
By  the  News  Letter. Correspondent 

The  25th  Bombardment  Squadron,  stationed  at  France  Field,  Panama  Canal 
Zone,  recently  held  their  Organization  Day  party  on'  the  famous  island  adjoining 
Colon,  Republic  of  Panama.  This  was  the  first  squadron  party  for  a number  of 
months,  and  a schedule  of  athletic  events  had  been  prepared  and  approved  by  the 
popular  Squadron  Commander,  Major  Lyon.  The  schedule  began  at  10:30  a.m. , and 
extended  to  3:00  p.m.  Different  events  were  scheduled  during  this  time,  so  that 
there  were  no  unoccupied  periods.  The  first  boat  left  the  France  Field  boat- 
house at  10:30  a.m.,  with  Major  Lyon;  the  Post  Adjutant,  Captain  A.E.'  Jones,  and 
Lieut.  "Mike"  Horton  aboard  as  an  advance  party  to  inspect  the  picnic  grounds  j 
and  kitchens. 

After  the  inspection  the  races  began  and  continued  the  rest  of  the  morning. 
The  France  Field  band,  accompanied  the  participants  with  music.-  The -first  selec- 
tions of  the  band  were  rendered  in  military  style  - standing.  The  heat , how- 
ever, became  very  oppressive  and  the  musicians,  were  so  overcome  that  towards  the 
middle  of  the  afternoon  it  was  necessary  for  them  to  remain  seated  on  the 
ground  while  playing.  ... 

All  officers  of  the  post  had  received  invitations  to  attend  the  festivities 
and  by  half  past  twelve  they  were  there  en  masse  and  enjoying  the  hospitality 
of  the  Bombardment;  Squadron.  It  was,,  indeed,  a beautiful  scene  among  the  -palm 
trees  in  a tropical  setting,  soft  breezes  and  sunshine.  There  is  no  question 
about  the  soothing  influence  of  such  a tropical  scene,  and  it  is  practically 
impossible  to  stay  awake  for  any  length  of  time  in  such  surroundings.  This  was 
especially  evident  after  everyone  had  partaken  of  the  excellent  luncheon  served 
by  the  Mess  Sergeant  and  cooks  of  the,  .Squadron. 

In.  connection  with  this  party,  mention  must  be  made  of  the  courtesy  ex- 
tended by  the  Naval  Air  Station  in  furnishing  a motor  .sailer  and  crew  to  trans- 
port men  from  France  Field  to  Manzanillo  Island  and  return^ 

— -oOo — — 

In  the  contribution  to  the  News  Letter  from  the  115th  Obs.  Squadron,  Calif. 
National  Guard,  Griffith  Park  Airport,  Los  Angeles,  an  invitation  is  extended  to 
all  pilots  In  the-  Services  to  drop  in  on  them  at  any  time.  "You  are  welcome  to 
all  facilities  at  our  disposal,"  says  our  Correspondent,  ,fand  we  shall  be  honor- 
ed to  have  you  with  us.  Please  pass  the  word  around." 

-24- 


V-5980,A.C. 


ENGINEERING-  SUPPLY  CONFERENCE  -AT  Will  GHT.  El  ELD 


A total  of  35  officers  assembled;. at  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  on 
•January  13th.  for  the  Engineering- Supply  Conference  which.. started  on  that  day, 
.continuing  until  January  17th.  • 

The  discussions  included  all  engineering  and  supply  problems,  failures  of 
materiel,  corrections  for  faulty  operation,  and  changes  for  a.  new  program. 

Each  major  Air  Corps  station  was  represented  by  two  officers,  one  for  supply 
and  one  for  engineering. 

The  conference  was  opened;. by  an  address  by  General  Foul ois,  who  outlined 
the  plans.  Groups  of  officers  were  then  formed  for  visiting  the  different 
•engineering  branches  fqr  conference.  Captain  C.  V.  Finterwas  liaison  officer 
. in  charge  of  arrangements.  ’ 

The  Air  Corps. -.fields  were  represented,  as  follows : 


111, 


Fort  Crockett,  Texas: 

Captain  S*  J.  Idzorek 
Lieut.  John.F.  Whiteley. 

Lieut.  J.  L.  Davidson 
Brooks  Fields-  Texas; 

Lieut.  Clifford  G.  Nutt 
Lieut . Jame s Flannery 
Kelly  Field,  Texas; 

Lieut.  Delnar  H . Dunton 
Lieut.  A.  L.  Jewett 
■Middletown,  Pa.,  Air  De-pot: 

Major  J.  H.  Houghton 
Captain  Hay  A.  Dunn 
Captain  M.  G.  Estabrook 
Lieut.  R.  G.  Harris 

San  Antonio r Texas.  Air  Denot: 

Major  A.  W.  Robins 
Lieut.  E.  Y.  -Harbeck 
Lieut,  E.  Y.  Webster 
Lieut.  C.E.  Thomas,  Jr. 

Mitchel  Field,  Hew  York: 

Captain  A.  E.  Simonin 
-Captain  F..  F.  Christine  • 

" Langley  Field,  Ya.  ’ . 

Lieut.  K.B.  Wolfe 
Lieut.  1.  Y.  Ign.ico 

Lieut . C.  W.  O’Connor  

This  was  the  second  of  these  annual  conferences  to  be  held  at  the 
Materiel  Division,  and  their  continuance  seems. a definite  adoption.  The  inter- 
change -of  experience,  between  engineering,  .and  supply  officers  stationed  in  all 
.parts  of-  the  United- States  and  the  technical  force  at  the  Division  responsible 
for  the-  equipment  sent  out  to  these  various  stations  is  of  inestimable  mutual 
benef it.;,andf:  as.- a result,  of  great  advantage. to  the  Air  Corps  as  a whole. 

Officers  of  the  various  fields  come  into  closer  touch  with  the  general 
aims  and.,  plans '.striven  for  - in  the  improvement  and  development  of  equipment  and 
naterials  and,;  by  discussions  of  the  difficulties,  encountered  in  service, bring 
to  the  development  center  first  hand  knowledge  of  flying  needs  which  influence 
the  research  and  experimental  programs.  Such  a convention  cannot  but  increase 
the  understanding-  of  a large  body  of  diversified  workers  as  well  as  add  to  the 
spirit  of-  cooperation. 

— oOo— 


March  Field,  Calif. : . . 

Captain  R.  B.  Walker 
1st. Lieut.  Chandler 

■Ghanute  Field,  111.; 

Lieut.  Robert-  S.  Heald 
Lieut.  ■!.  Rv  Laughinghouse 
Lieut i W.  M.  Lanagan 

Scott  Field,  Belleville, 

Captain'E.  S.  Schofield 
Captain  Roger  S.  McCullough. 
Rockwell  Air  De-pot,  Calif. 

Major  A.  L.  Sneed  . 

Lieut.  C.P.  Kane 

Lieut.  R.  Baez 

Lieut.  Edward  M.  Robbins 

Office  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps: 

Major  Frank  M.  Andrews 
Kfej or  Frederick  L.  Martin 
Captain  Elmer  E..  Adler 
Lieut.  L.  P.  Whitten 

Self ridge  Field,  Michigan; 

Captain  A.  J.  Etheridge 


ALLOTMENT  OF  OFFICERS  TO  AIR  CORPS'  TACTICAL  SCHOOL 


The  Secretary  of  War  has.,  directed  that  ten  officers  of  arms  other  than 
the  Air  Corps  be  detailed  to  the  Air  Corps  Tactical  School,  Langley  Field,  Ya. , 
as  students  for  the  1930-31  school  year.-  The  allotment  to  the  different  arms 
of  the  service  is  as  follows:  Two  officers  each  <&:§  the  Infantry,  Field  Artil- 
lery, Cavalry  and  Coast.  Artillery,  ..and  one  officer  each  of  the  Corps  of 
Engineers  and  the  Signal  Corps.. 

The  officers  to  be  detailed  must  be  of  the  grade  of  senior  captain  or 
above,  graduates  of  the  advanced  courses  in  their  respective  service  schools 
or  the  Command  and  General  Staff  School,  and  must  have  signified  their  willing- 

-25-  Y-5980,  A.C. 


ness  to  be  placed -on  duty  involving- flying.  They  will  not  be  required  to  pass 
the  special  examination  for  flying,  but  only  officers  who  aro  in  good  physical 
condition  will  b,e  detailed  ,•  in  view  of  the  fact  that  they  are  required  to  par- 
ticipate as  observers,  in  flying  missions, 

TThile  the  number  of  officers  detailed  for  the  1930-31  course  is  the  same 
as  for  the  1929-30  course,  the  allotment  to  the  various  arms  is  different. 

In  1929  only  the  Infantry,  Fiel&^iul'd  oS/^lry  field  officers  were  detailed  to 
the  Air  Corps  Tactical  School.  This  year  the  Coast  Artillery,  Signal  Corps 
and  Corps  of  Engineers  have  been  added. 

— =oo0o— 

SOLDIERS  MEDiL  FOR  LIEUT.  MA.THENY . 


Acting  on  the  recommendation  of  Major  Hugh  J.  Kherr,  Commanding  the  2nd 
Bombardment  Group  at  Langley  Field,  Va. , that  Lieut.  William  A.  Matheny,  Air 
Corps,  be  awarded "the  Soldiers  Medal  for  his  heroic  conduct  following  an 
airplane  crash,  near  Managua,  Nicaragua , which  recommendation  was  approved  by 
the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  the  War  Department,  in  a communication  dated  Jan. 
23,  1920,  stated  that,  after  careful  consideration,  Lieut*  Matheny  had  been 
awarded  this  decoration  with  the  following  citation; 

"William  A . Matheny,  second  lieutenant,  Air  Corps, . United  States 
Army.  For  heroism  when  an  LB6  airplane  crashed  and  burned  near  Managua, 
Nicaragua,  August  30,  1929.  The  airplane  piloted  by  Lieut.  Dwight 
Oanfield  and  Lieut.  Matheny,  one  of  four  being  ferried  to  the  Canal  Zone, 
crashed,  due  to  leaking  gasoline  and  fire  in  one  of  the  motors.  Both 
officers  were  thrown  free  of  the  airplane  at  the  time  of  the  crash  and 
Lieut.  Matheny-  after  running  a few  steps  looked  back  and  saw  Lieut. 
Ganfield  on  the  ground  near  the  burning  plane  and  unable  to  move.  At 
great  personal  risk,  knowing  that  both  of  them  were  drenched  with 
gasoline,  he  ran  back  and  assisted  Lieut.  Canfield  to  l^s  feet,  the 
clc, thing  ef  both,  catching  fire.  He  then  attempted  to  extinguish  the 
flames  from  the  clothing  of  Lieut,  Canfield  by  rolling  him  in  the 
wet  grass,  after  which  he  extinguished  the  flames  from  his  own  clothing. 
Lieut.  Matheny  received-  painful  and  severe  burns  and  Lieut,  Canfield 
died  later  from  the  burns  received.  The.  heroism  .displayed  by  Lieut. 
Matheny  reflects  great  credit  on  himself  and  the  military  service." 

In  the  concluding  paragraph  of  the  communication,  above  referred  to,  it 
is  stated  that  these  medals  are  not  yet  ready  for  issue,  but  when  they  are 
available  the  necessary  steps  will  be  taken  to  cause  the  medal  to  be  presented 
to  Lieut.  Matheny  at  a suitable  time, 

oOo 


..FLYING  INSTRUCTORS'  SCHOOL  OPENS 


The- Air  Corps  Training  Center  Instructors1  School  opened  at  Kelly  Field, 
San  Antonio,  Texas,  on  January  15th.  The  course  will  last  for  six  weeks. 
Captain  J . K.,  Gannon  is  in  charge  of  the  school,  assisted  by  Lieuts,  J.  S. 
Griffith,  -B..D,  Knapp,  C.W.  Davies,  H.C.  Wisehart  and  G..  E.  Henry. 

A total  of  nineteen  officers  from  various  Air  Corps  stations  reported 
at  the  Training  Center . to  take  the  course,-  viz: 


2nd  Lieut.;  G.  R.  Acheson 
2nd  Lieut.,  -James  “W-.  Andrew 
2nd  Lieut-..  F.  A,  Armstrong 
2nd  Lieut.  Albert  Boyd 
2nd  Lieut . M.  M.  Burnside  , 
2nd  Lieut.  C.  W.  Davies 
2nd  Lieut.  C.  D»  Fator 
2nd. Lieut.  0.  C.  George 
2nd  Lieut.  G.  ,E.  Henry 
2nd  Lieut.  A . M.  Kelley 


2nd  Lieut . Ri chard  H . Lee 
2nd  Lieut.-  George  H.  MacNair 
2nd  Lieut . . A . L . Moore 
2nd  Lieut,.  I..  M,  Falmer 
2nd  Lieut.  E.  P.  Rose 
2nd  Lieut . E.  A.  Sanborn 
-.(2nd  Lieut.  W.  ?.  Sloan 
2nd  Lieut.  K.  E.  Tibbetts 
2nd  Lieut , . M M. . Towner 


-oOo 


ARMY  AIRMEN  EXCEL  IN  POLO 


Driving  the. ball  between  the  goal  posts  to  score  in  the  last  20  seconds 
of  play  gave  . the  . Air  Corps  Training.  Center  a victory  over  the  Third  Infantry 

-26-  W-5980,.  A.O. 


Brigade  in  the  f.inal  match  of  the  tournament  on  January  5th. 

It  was  not  until  the  third  chukker  that  the  Air  Corps  were  able  to  score, 
when  Lieut.  George  Beverly  drove  the  willow  down  the  field  and  through  the  goal. 
As  the  second  half  opened,  the  Airmen  were  holding  down  the  short  end  of  a 
4 to  2 score.  While  the  defense  checked  the  Infantry  scoring  drives,  Lieut. 

Craw  scored  for  the  airmen  in  the  fifth  chukker  and  twice  in  the  sixth,  to  give 
them  a temporary  lead.  But  Capt.  Coulter  of  the  Infantry  shot  a Beauty  to  tie 
the  score  at  5-all  shortly  afterward. 

Both  sides  scored  again  in  the  seventh,  Lieut.  Beverly  giving  the  Air 
Corps  a temporary  lead  which  Capt.  Coulter  tied  again  with  another  accurate 
.swing  of  the  mallet:.  The  eighth  was  merely  a duplication  of  the  seventh 
chukker,  as  Capt.  Coulter  scored  his  fifth  goal  of  the  game  for  the  Infantry 
only  to  have  Lieut.  Beal  tie  the  score  again  just  as  the  game  ended. 

Hard  and  fast  driving  featured  the  final  period.  The  "ball  was  in  the 
very  mouth  of  the  Air  Corps  goal,  hut  Lieut.  Craw  raked  it  away  and  accompanied 
it  on  a mad  pace  down  the  field,  where  Lieut.  Leal  with  a Backhand  stroke  made 
a Beautiful  shot  to  score  and  thus  win  the  contest. 

— --oOo — - 

COMMERCIAL  AVIATION  OFFICIALS  CONSULT  AIR  CORPS  ENGINEERS 

Among  the  leading  representatives  of  the  aircraft  industry  to  come  to 
Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  recently  to  consult  with  engineers  of  the  Materiel 
Division  were  E.  N.  Gott  and  C.T.  Porter  of  the  Keystone  Company;  Victor  E. 
Bertrandias  and  A.N,  Gassner  of  the  Fokker  Aircraft  Corporation;  T.  E. 
Tillinghast  of  the  Pratt  and  Whitney  Company;  E.E.  Aldrin  of  the  Standard  Oil 
Development  Company;  W.H.  Nunns,  Wright  Aeronautical  Corporation;  C.  P.  Lyon, 
Thomas-Morse  Aircraft  Corporation;  F.H.  Russell,  Arthur  Nutt,  T.P.  Wright  and 
Burdette  S.  Wright  of  the  Curtiss  Company;  Gordon  T.  Waite  of  the  Alliance 
Aircraft  Corporation;  C.V.  Johnson  of  the  Bendix  Brake  Company;  N.H.  Gilman  of 
the  Allison  Engineering  Company  and  F.W.  Caldwell  of  the  Hamilton  Steel 
Propeller  Company. 

— oOo 

EXTENDED  CROSS-COUNTRY  FLIGHT  BY  LIEUTENANT  THORPE 

Between  the  dates  of  DecemBer  26th  and  January  1st,  2nd  Lieut.  Clarence 
S.  Thorpe,  Air  Corps,  of  March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif.,  accompanied  By  Private 
Norman  B.  EstaBrook,  47th  School  Squadron,  made  an  extended  cross-country  flight 
to  Spokane,  Washington,  and  return,  via  Las  Vegas,  Nevada;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah; 
and  Boise,  Idaho,  on  the  outward  journey,  and  via  Pasco,  Washington;  Corning, 
Calif.,  and  Crissy  Field,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Calif.,  on  the  return 
journey.  Lieut.  Thorpe's  report  covering  this  flight  is  as  follows; 

Left  March  Field,  Calif. , on  DecemBer  26,  1929,  at  10:50  a.m.  A course 
was  flown  via  Cajon  Pass  to  Bakersfield,  Calif. , where  it  was  observed  that  the 
entire  valley  was  filled  with  a heavy  ground  fog,  making  it  necessary  to  change 
the  course  toward  Las  Vegas,  Nevada,  at  2:20  p.m.  Gas  and  oil  were  obtained 
from  the  Standard  Oil  Company,  and  the  plane  was  then  flown  to  the  new  Depart- 
ment of  Commerce  field  which  is  located  about  eight  miles  east  of  town.  This 
field  is  in  good  condition  and  is  made  up  of  three  runways  in  the  shape  of  an 
isosceles  triangle.  Gas  and  oil  will  Be  obtained  at  this  field  in  the  near 
future.  A radio  station  is  maintained  there  By  the  Western  Air  Express  with  an 
operator  on  duty  24  hours  every  day. 

Left  Las  Vegas,  Nevada,  at  9:40  a.m.,  DecemBer  27th,  and  a straight  course 
was  flown  to  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  where  a landing  was  effected  at  2:00  p.m., 
at  the  Municipal  Airdrome.  Excellent  weather  was  encountered  en  route. 

The  flight  took  off  from  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  at  8:55  a.m. , DecemBer 
28th,  and  a straight  course  was  flown  to  Burley,  Idaho,  and  thence  to  Boise, 
Idaho,  whore  a landing  was  made  on  the  Municipal  Airdrome  at  12:05  p.m.  The 
plane  was  serviced  and  a take-off  was  made  at  12;40  p.m.  The  route  of  the 
Varney  Air  Lines  was  followed  via  Baker,  Oregon;  La  Grande,  Oregon,  and  Pasco, 
Washington,  to  Spokane,  Washington,  whore  the  flight  landed  at  3-:,55  p.m.  on 
Felts  Field.  Excellent  weather  was  encountered  en  route..  " ; 

At  8:55  a.m.,  DecemBer  31,  1929,  left  Spokane,  Washington,  and  proceeded 
to  Pasco,  Washington,  where  the  plane  was  serviced  after  the  landing  at  10:35 
a.m.  The  Pasco  Field  is  used  By  the  Varney  Air  Lines  and  is  in  good  condition. 

-27-  V-5960,  A. C. 


A take-off  ’"as  made  from  Pasco  at  10:55^  a.m.  , , and  a compass  course  was  flown  to 
Corning,  California,  -where  a landing 'was  made  at  2 :35.-p-.m.  The  Corning  Field 
is  large,  in  excellent  condition, . and "equipped  for  rapid  servicing..  The  plane 
took  .of f at  3:10p.m.  from  Corning,  California,  and  was  flown - straight  to  Crissy 
field,.. .Calif . j where  a; -landing  was  made  at ''4: 00  p.n.  ' The  weather  throughout  the 
. day ■■  was.  excellent.  • : . 

h Left  Crissy  Field  on  January  1st,  at  9:30  a.m.,  and  a straight  course  was 
. flown  to  Bakersfield,  Calif.-,  thence  through  Tehachapi  Pass- and.  Cajon  .Pass  to 
March  Field,  Calif.,  where  a landing  was  made  at  12"; 50  p.m.  The  usual  ground 
fog  was  ’present  over  the  valley  north  of  Bakersfield .otherwise  the  weather  was 
excellent.  : .... 

An  02- K Douglas  plane  was  used  in  this  fligtyt  and*,*it  functioned  perfectly 
in  every  respect.  - 

■ • — — oOo 

LARGE  CLASS  OF  DELISTED-  MEN  TO  UNDERGO  FLYING  TRAINING 


Of  the  239  candidates  selected  by  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  to  Begin 
training  March  1st  at  the  two  Primary  Flying  Schools  of  the  Air  Corps  at  Brooks 
Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  and  March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif.,  49  are  enlisted 
men  of-  the  Regular  Army,  constituting  the  highest  number  from  the  ranks  to 
be  members  of  a starting  flying  class  since  the  operation  of  these  schools  under 
peace-time  conditions. 

Among  the  122  new  students  to  be  trained  at  March  Field,  12  are  enlisted 
men  of  the  Air  Corps  and  three  enlisted  men  from  the.  Infantry.  Numbered- among 
the  117  students  to  attend  the  Brooks  Field  School  are  32  enlisted  men  of  the  Air 
• -Gorp_s,'  one-,  from  the  Infantry  and  one  from  "the  Medical  Department.,. 

, .Pursuant-  to  orders  from  the  War  Department,  the  enlisted  ken  -have  been 
ordered -to  report  to  the  Commandantsof  the  respective . schools  not  later  than 
' February-  28.th  for  a’ppointment  as  Flying  Cadet  and  assignment  to  the  class  start- 
ing training  the.  following  day.-  . Naijjes  and  present  stations  of  these  men  are 
enumerated  below,  as  follows:  ■ ' 

To  larch  .Field 

Private  James  ?.,  McReynolds,  24th  Airship  -Company,  Scott  Field,  111. 

" Dm.  0.  Carlson,  94th  Pursuit  .Squadron,  -Self ridge;, Fields  Mich. 

" Dillard  D.  Clark,  27th  Pursuit  Squadron,  " " 11 

" Dal  ter  Harvey  Gould,  15th  Obs,.  Squadron,  " 11  -!1 

" ■ Walter  C.  Newland,  - 94th  Pursuit  Squadron,-  " " . 

" Albern  R . - Swanson,  16th'  Obs.  • Squadron,  Marshall  Field,  Kansas.':- .'v'-- 
11  Joseph  3.  Donnelly;  91st  Obs.  Squadron,  Crissy  Field,  .Calif. 

" Donald  M.  ■ Kessler.,'  46th  School  Squadron,  ' March  Field,  Calif. 

" Albert  C.. Reed,  54th 'School ^Squadron,  .-  ”,  " 11 

11  Wade  H.  Westmoreland,  -54th  School  Squadron  '•!  11  : -• 

" Thomas  Moreland  Ulbry 3rd  Infantry,  Fort.  Snell ing, 

" Jacob  A..  Wahl,  Hqrs.-  Go.;  17th  Infantry,  Fort  Crook, 

11  Forrest  L.  Gorin,  Hqrs Co.  30th  Infantry,  Presisio  of  , San  Francisco. 

" Willard  G.  Heberl-ing;-  Schofield  Barracks,  Honolulu,  T.H.-  (A. C . ) 

11  Jason  R.  Spahn,  A. C.  Schofield  Barracks,  Honolulu,  T.H.  . 

.;  To  Brooks  Field 

Private  Elias  J.  Keller,  5th  Obs.  Squadron,  Mitchel.  Field,  N.Y. 

PFG'.  .-.  Richard  J.  Close,  Air  Corps  Detachment,  lolling  Field,  D. C . 

Private  Robert  T.  Jailer,  2nd  Bombardment  Group  Hqrs.,  Langley-' Field,  Va. 

11  ■ ..  Joe  W.  Cotton,  22nd  Obs.  Squadron,  Maxwell  Field,  Montgomery',  Ala. 

PFC  Benjamin  F.  Lowery,  22nd  .Obs.  Squadron,  Maxwell  Field,'  Ala.  ’ 

Private. .Albert  A.  Rice,  22nd  Obs.  Squadron,  Maxwell  .Field,;  Ala. 

" :Theodore  3.  :Taylor , Jr.,  Air  Corps  -Technical  .School, -ChaEhute’- Field,  111. 
" Lloyd  C.  -Waldorf , Air.  Corps  Technical  - School,  -Chanute  -Field-,  111. 

Corporal  James- R.  Rogers’,  88th  Obs.,  Squadron,  Post  Field,  Fbrtv'6ill,  Okla 

Private  Loysl  Sowder,  88th.  Observation  Squadron,.  Post  Field  Fort  Sill,  ' Okla. 

" Elmer- F.  Diamond,'  Jr.',.  2pth  Photo  Section,  Brooks  Field,'  Texas. 

James  'F.  Dodds , ■ 52nd'  School.  Squadron,  ■ Brooks.  Field,  Texas* 

-.  -. !- . Luther  J.  Fairbanks llth  School  .Groun  Hqrs.,  Brooks  Field, 

."'V.  Troy  .Eli  Frost,-  u,"  ' « « « • 


Minn. 

Neb, 


Claud  C . Kami  - 
Archie  T.  Lyon, 
Donald. D . Stow. 


-28- 


Texas. 

it 

it 


V-5980,  A. C. 


To  Drooks  Field.  (Continued)' 

Private  Addison  2.  Poker,  90th  Attack  Squadron,  Fort  Crockett,  Texas. 
11  Ottis  Bobbitt , " " " 11  " !l 

60th  " « " " " 

8th  « " " " " 

3rd  Attack  Group  Hqrs.  " " " 

48th  School  Squadron , Kelly  Field,  Texas. 
40th  School  Squadron,  Kelly  Field, 

40th  " « " 


PFC  ' Fred  W 
Private  Leo  0. 


Eustop., 

Filler, 


PFC 

Private 


Pen  T.  Stogner , 

Hugh  A.  Druce , 

Michel  M.  Des  Marias : 
Earl  W.  Ges sner. 


Texas. 

n 


Qp-incy  L.  Hardy,  40th  . 11  " 

Corporal  Norroan  M,  Jackson,  10th  School  Group  Hqrs.  " 

Private  William  3,  Sho waiter,  48th  School  Squadron,  11 

11  Robert  L.  Springer,  24th  School -Wing  Hqrs.  " 

" Harry  H.-  Weiner,  42nd  School  Squadron,.  11 

n John  W.  Welch,  41st  School  Squadron,  " , " ' 

PFC  Volley  J . Williams,  48th  School  Squadron,  " u 

Private  William’ F.  Leahy,  Medical  Dept. , Fort  Ethan  Allen,  Vermont, 
PFC  Herman  D.  Corey,  Howitzer  Co.  29th  Inf.,  Fort  Denning.,  Ga. 

— — oOo---. 


REDUCTION  IN  THE  COST  OF  AIR  TRAVEL 

The  Western  Air  Express,  with  headquarters  at  Los  Angeles,  Calif.,  has 
effected  a reduction  in  transportation  rates  on  their  lines  to  conform  -to.;  a 
fare  equal  to  rail  and  Pullman  rates  for  the.  benefit  of  Federal  officials  and 
employees.  As  a result  of  this  new  transportation  rate  schedule  it  will  be 
possible  for  those  connected  with  the  government  to  travel  by  air  rail 
and  Pullman  rates  over  the  Western  Air  Express,  the.. Standard  Air  Lines,  West 
Coast  Express,  and  Mid-Continent  Air  Express,.  / The.  latter  three  named  are  asso- 
ciate companies  to  Western  Air  Express. 

The  above-named  ai-r  lines  serve  the  following  points Kansas  City,  Los 
Angeles,  San  Francisco,'  Seattle,  Portland,  Salt  Lake  City,  San  Diego,  Agua 
Caliente , Santa  Catalina  Island,  El  Paso,  Phoenix,  Albuquerque,  Pueblo,  Denver, 
Amarillo,  Wichita,  Cheyenne  and  intermediate  points.  . 

Special  schedules  and  rates  have. been  prepared  for  the  use  of  government 
officials  and  employees,  and  agents  of  these  four  companies  have  been  instruct- 
ed to  honor  the  usual  transportation  vouchers. 

Announcement  was  recently  made  by  the  Aviation  Corporation  of  a sweeping 
reduction  in  transportation  rates  on- its  entire  system  of  air  lines  on  a level 
comparative  with  railroad  and  Pullman  fares  and,  in  some  cases,  lower.  The 
lines  affected  are  those,  of  Universal  Aviation' Corporation;  Colonial  Air 
Transport,  Inc.;  Embry- Riddle  Aviation  Corporation  and  Southern  Air  Transport, 
Inc.,  which  compose  the  largest  system  of  air  lines  in  the  United  States,  the 
planes  of  which  fly  more  than  20,000  miles  daily  in  scheduled  service. 

This  sweeping  reduction  follows  a temporary  experimental  slash  of  fares  on 
the  Universal  passenger  lines  which  resulted  in  an  almost  immediate  large  in- 
crease in  xDassenger  travel  over  their  lines. 

In  the  opinion  of  Robert  J.  Smith-,-  general  traffic  manager  of  the  corpora- 
tion, this  experiment  showed  where  the  "E"  should  be  placed  in  the  word  describ- 
ing the  retarding  influence  of  air  travel.  It  was  "farE"  instead  of  "fEar."  The 
experiment  demonstrated  that  passengers. will  travel  in  much  larger  numbers  if 
the  fare  approximates  - that  of  train  and  Pullman. 

"The  one  great  question  mark  which  has  been  staring  at  air  line  .operators 
was  whether  it  was  fare  or  fear  that  delayed  general  acceptance  of  air  travel , 11 
continued  to.  Smith,  "We  are  sure  now  it  was  fare.  We  expect  to  see  an  imme- 
diate great  increase  in  air  travel  over  the  country  and  we  believe  this 
increased  passenger  traffic  will  demonstrate  conclusively  that  air  travel  is 
worth  more  to  the  public  than  slower  forms  of  transportation. " 

The  new  rate  schedule  for  passenger  transportation;  over  the  lines  above 
mentioned  is  virtually  half  that  of  the  old  one  and,  in  some  cases,  the  reduc- 
tion in  fare  is  as  much  as  60  percent. 

"Increased  air  travel  which  is  bound  to  follow  the  reduction  of  fares," 
said  Mr.  Hamilton,  operating  vice  president  of  the  Aviation  Corporation,  "will 
serve  to  stimulate  the  aviation  industry  as  a whole.  It  will  mean  the  increased 
use  of  present  airline  equipment  and  very  probably  make  necessary  the  purchase 
of  new  and  larger  airplanes  and  the  employment  of  more  pilots  and  personnel." 

-29-  V-5980,  A. C. 


COURSES  OF  INSTRUCTION  FOR  .SECOND  BOMBARDMENT  GROUP 


Through  the  cooperation  of  the  Air  Corps  Tactical  School,  an  interesting 
and  instructive  series  of  . courses'  have been  outlined'  for  officers  of  the  2nd 
Bombardment  Group  at  Langley  Field,  Va.  These  courses  and  the  respective  in- 
structors are  as  follows: 

Infantry Mfeijor  L.S.  Frasier,  Infantry- 

Field  Artillery  . . Major  K.G.  Fitz,  Field  Art. 

Combat  Orders 1st  Lt.  K.N.  Walker,  A.C. 

Use  of  Federal  Troo-ps  in  Civil  Disturbances  Major  L.S.  Frasier,  Infantry 

Visual  Inspection,  Air  Corps 1st  Lt-  H.A.  Bivins,  A.C. 

Cavalry  .....  Major  H.M.  Estes  , Cavalry. 

Coast  Artillery Major'  E.H.  Metzger,  Coast  Art. 

Air  Corps  Tactics  (Pursuit) . 1st  Lt.  C.L.  Bissell,  A.C. 

Air  Corps  Tactics  (Bombardment ) 1st  Lt1.  K.N.  Walker,  A.C. 

The  2nd  Bonhardnent  Group  has  started  to  work  on  instruction  bonbing  as  it 
is  authorized  in  the  season’s  training,  program.  With  a nark  of  492  out  of  a 
possible  500  points,  2nd  Lieut.  Edwin  L.  Tucker  recently,  secured  the  highest 
score  to  date.  The  bonbers  are  using  100-pound  demolition1- bombs  and  are 
dropping  eight  of  them  from  5,000  feet  and  eight  from  8*  000  feet.  When  all 
officers  shall  have  completed  their'  instruction  bombing, 'the  next  thing  on  the- 
“program  will  be  bonbing  for  record. 

— — oOo 

FOG  PROVES  IMPENETRABLE  BARRIER 

Forced  by  adverse  weather  conditions  to  return  to  Rockwell  Field  ah  -hour 
and  a half  after  they  had  taken  off  for  Tucson,  Arizona,  Mayor  Harry  C.  Clark, 
of  San  Diego,  Calif.,  and  Colonel  Ed.  Fletcher,  San  Diego’s  foremost- good  road 
enthusiast,  were  prevented  from  attending  a meeting  of  the  Tucson  Chamber  of 
Commerce , scheduled  for  January  7th,  and  held  in  the  interest  of  a paved  high- 
way across  Arizona  to  connect  San  Diego  and  Southern  California. 

Mayor  Clark  and  Colonel  Fletcher,  in  an  Army  Douglas  C~2,  took  off  from 
Rockwell  Field  at  11:00  a.m. , piloted  by  Lieut.  Burrows.  Circling  for  eleva- 
tion over  the  city  of  San  Diego,  the  plane  reached  an  altitude  of  approximately 
8,000  feet.  Fog  hung  over  the  city  up  to  an  altitude  of  more  than  12,000  feet, 
it  was  reported,  and  presented  a barrier  of  mist  that  could  not  be  penetrated 
with  safety.  With  the  plane  headed  South,  it  was  forced  to  turn  back  by  rain 
and  snow  over  the  mountains  in  the  vicinity  of  Tecate,  Mexico.  With  every 
mountain  pass  clogged  by  fog,  rain  or  snow,  the  plane  was  forced  to  return  to 
Rockwell  Field. 

— -oOo — — 

ADVANCED  SCHOOL  STUDENTS _ SEEK  REGULAR  ARl^ff  COMMISSIONS^ 

Out  of  the  class  of  84  students  attending 1 the  Advanced  Flying  School  at 
Kelly  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  63  have  made  application  for  examination  for 
appointment  as  second  lieutenants  in  the  Air  Corps,  Regular  Amy.  The  prelim- 
inary examinations  were  held  on  January  16th  and  the  filial  examinations  will 
be  held  February  17th  to  22nd. 

A total  of  78  Flying  Cadets  out  of  the  84  above  mentioned,  attending  the 
Advanced  Flying  School,  have  made  application  for  extended  active  duty  with  a 
tactical  unit  of  the  Air  Corps.  This  class  has1  the  largest  number  of  applicants 
for  active  duty  of  any  graduating  class -of  the  Kelly  Field  School. 

— • oOo 

ENGINEERING  SCHOOL  STUDENTS  RESUME  ‘ STUDIES  ' 

Students  of  the  Air  Corps  Engineering  School  at  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio, 
returned  to  their  studies  on  January  6th  after  their  two  weeks  mid-year  holiday. 
The  course  which  opened  on  July  1,  1929,  closes  June  30  •,  1930.  The  miscellane- 
ous subjects  have  been  completed  in  the  six  months  just  passed,  and  concentra- 
tion during  the  next  six  months. will  be  directed  'on  aerodynamics  and  the  design 
courses,  such  as  airplane,  aircraft  engine  and  propeller  design.  Eleven  student 
officers  are  enrolled  in  the  present  class.. 

-30- 


V-5980,  A.C, 


THE  ARCTIC  PATROL  FLIGHT  OF  THE  FIRST  PURSUIT  GROUP' 

The  First  Pursuit  Group  of  the  Army  Air  Corps,  under  the  command  of  Major 
Ralph  Royce , which  for  nearly  a month  Was  engaged  in  a winter  test  flight  from 
Selfridge  Field,  Mt . Clemens,  Mich,.,  to  Spokane,  Washington,  returned  to  their 
home  station  on  the  evening  of  January  29th. 

The  question  as  to  whether  the  Pursuiters  gained  ample  experience  in  flying 
and  handling  their  planes  under  severe  weather  conditions  can  he  very  emphatic- 
ally answered  in  the  affirmative.-  They  had  many  hard  tussles  with  Old  King 
Boreas  with  his  su  hr  zero  blasts.  There  were  a few  mishaps  and  several  of  the 
pilots  were  rendered  hors  de  comhat.  Happily,  there  \?ere  no  serious  accidents, 
and  the  men  who  participated  in  the  flight,  after  they  have  thawed  out , will  no 
douht  look  hack  on  their  long  jaunt  through  the  frigid  Northwest  as  the  experi- 
ence of  a lifetime.  Stationed  as  they  are  at  Self ridge  Field,  where  the  weather 
is  anything  hut  mild,  it  may  require  some  time  before  the  thawing  out  process 
is  completed. 

One  plane  was  lost;  during  this  flight,  being  damaged  beyond  repair  when 
Lieut.  Warhurton  crashed  near  Beach,  N.D. , in  a raging  blizzard.  The  pilot  suf- 
fered injuries  which,  however,  were  not  of  a serious  nature. 

Among  the  many  things  which  the  Pursuiters  learned  from  this  flight , one 
was  that  plumbers  are  utilizing  an  article  in  their  stock  in  trade  which  is 
extremely  valuable  in  connection  with  winter  flying  -the  firepot.  They  now  have 
a very  high  regard. for  this  implement , hitherto  considered  of  use  in  heating 
soldering  irons,  melting  lead,  etc.  Using  these  firepots,  the  Army  pilots  were 
able  to  start  their  cold  motors  with  little  difficulty.  The  next  time  a flight 
is  made  in  the  dead  of  winter  there  will 'no  doubt  be  a popular  demand  for  this 
article  in  the  plumbing  supply  line. 

There  have  been  some  comments  on  the  difficulties  which  the  Pursuit  Group 
encountered  while  flying  in  the  cold  weather.  It  was  pointed  out  that  the  mail 
planes  had  been  making  their  scheduled  flights  without  any  trouble  of  this 
nature.  One. must  not  lose  sight  of  the  fact,  however,  that  the  mail  planes 
start  on  their  flights  from  heated  hangars,  whereas  the  Army  xsilots  were  con- 
ducting their  operations  in  the  open.  Furthermore,  it  is  much  easier  to.  start 
the  engine  of  one  plane  than  22  of  them. 

The  planes  which  the  Army  pilots  flew  on  this  Arotac  Patrol  Flight,  that 
is  to  say,  18  of  them,  were  the  small  single-seater  fighters,  built ' especially 
for  quick  maneuvering,  equipped  with  a powerful  motor,  and  carrying  two 
machine  guns  and  100  gallons  of  gasoline. 

The  "Arctic  Patrol,"  as  this  flight  was  referred  to,  involved  a total  dis- 
tance of  approximately  3,500  miles.  The  forces  arrayed  against  King  Winter 
comprised  a total  of  23  pilots, . about  20  mechanics,  18  Pursuit  planes,  three 
Cargo  planes  and  one  Observation  plane.  All  of  these  planes  were  equipped  with 
skiis  instead  of  the  conventional  landing  wheels,  in  view  of.  which  fact  such 
landing  fields  as  were  cleared  of  snow  were  studiously  avoided.  One  of  the 
Cargo  planes  was  equipped  with  radio  receiving  and  sending  apparatus , which 
were  operated  on  two  wave  lengths,  32.5  and  54  meters. 

While  the  primary  purpose  of  the  Arctic  Patrol  was  to  test  the  efficiency 
of  planes,  personnel  and  equipment  under  the  most  severe  winter  conditions,  the 
secondary  object  was  to  obtain  first-hand  experience,  on  the  value  of  short-wave 
radio  in  connection  with  Army  Air  Corps  operations  in  remote  sections  and 
covering  long  distances.  Thus,  when  the  First  Pursuit  Group  took  the  air  on 
January  10th,  another  short-wave  radio  station  sprang  into  existence  (Station 
AB6)  which  added  a new  element  of  interest  to  the  Amateur  Radio  Operators  "or 
"Hams,"  as  they  are  generally  known.  Members  of  the  American  Radio  Relay  League 
deserve  commendation  for  the  whole-hearted  cooperation  they  extended  in  aiding 
the  communications  end  of  this  big  project  of  the  Pursuiters. 

The  common!  cat  ion  terminals  were  -in  charge  of  F.E.  Handy,  of  the  American 
Radio  Relay  League,  Hartford,  Conn.';-  Captain  Frank  E.  Stoner,  U.S.  Army  Signal 
Corps;  B.  R.  Cummings  of  the  Radio  Engineering  Department,  General  Electric  Uo., 
Schenectady,  New  York.  Mr.  H.  J..  Adamson,  assistant  to  the  Hon.  F.  Trubee 
Davison,  Assistant  Secretary  of  War  for  Aeronautics,  was  on  board  the  Observation 
plane  and  in  charge  of  communications.  Staff  Sergeant  Harry  E.  Wilson  was  the 
Radio  Operator.’. 

The  Army  pilots  who  flew  the  Pursuit  planes  were  Major  Ralph  Royce,  1st 
Lieuts.  Alden  R.  Crawford,  Kenneth  A.  Rogers,  Marion  L.  Elliott,  Paul  W.  Wolf, 

-31-  V-5980,  A.C. 


Cecil  E.  Henry,  2nd  Lieuts,  Charles  A.  Harrington Ernest  K.  Warburton,  Ralph 
C.  Khudy,  Austin  A.  Strauhel,  ■ Donald  L.  Putt,  Norman  “DV  Sill  in,  Paul  B. 

Yfurtsmith,  Theodore  M.  Bolen,  Eduard  H.  Underhill,  Homer  L.  Sanders,  Paul  M. 
Jacobs  and  Robert  Z.  Giovanndl’li'.  First  Lieut.  James 'E.  Duke  piloted  the  Radio 
C-9  airplane,  accompanied  by  nine' -mechanics ; '2nd  Lieut’.1  R'aul  .E;  Shanahan, thd  ; 
Transport  C-9,'  accompanied  by  ninb':me'6hanics; 1 1st 'Lieut.'  'Ennic'C  . ’Whitehead, the 
0-2  Observation  piano,  accompanied  'b^  'lIr'.'-'Hf^.  '-Adamsbri;  "and’  2nd  /Lieuts.  .Edwin 
R.  French  and  -D’  M.  Lowry,  ■ Jr-P,'  th6' ; Rouglas  Transport  •&*£,/  accompanied  'by  two 
mechanics.  •••"'•  ' 

According  - 't'O  the  -flight'  ’itinerary , the  First  Pursuit  Group  was'  scheduled  to 
depart  from' Self  ridge  Field  oh -the  nio  riling  of  January  8th,  stopping  at  St .Ignaee, 
Mich. at  noon,  and  at  -Duluth,''  Mikfiv  jh-via  Hancock,  Mich.,  overnight;  January 
9th,  Grand  Forks,  ft.D.',-  at -noon/  -Minot',  'll.  D. , overnight January  10th,  Glasgow, 
Montana,  at  noon,  Great  Falls,-  Montana,  "via  Havre,  overnight;  January  11th, 
Kalispell,  Montana,  at  noon,  Spokane,-  Washington,  destination. 

Departing  from  Spokane;  Washington,  January  13-th,  the  Group  was  scheduled 
to  stop  at  Helena,  Montana,  at  noon,  and  Miles  City,  Montana,  overnight;  January 
14th,  Bismarck,  N.D.,  at  noon, 'Fargo,  N.D.’,  overnight;  January  15th,  Minneapolis, 
Minn. , at  noon,  Wausau,  Wisconsin,  overnight;  January  16th,  Escanaba,  Michigan, 
at  noon,  Self ridge  Field,  same'  day. 

Jack  Frost  and  Old  Zing  Boreas  were  not  kindly  disposed  towards  the 
Pursuiters,  not -only  delaying  their  departure  from  Self ridge  Field  two  days  but 
otherwise  impeding  their  progress  so  that  they  were  almost  two  weeks  behind 
schedule  when 'they  finally  returned  to  their  home  station, 

January  8th  ushered  in  a heavy  sleet  which  resulted  in  all  of  the  22  planes 
being  covered  with  a coating  of  ice,  and  a take-off  was  out  of  the  question.  . 
With  the  temperature  barely  at  freezing,  the  heavy  radio  plane  was  in  danger  Of 
sinking  through  the  ice  of  Lake  St.  Clair. • The  entire  personnel  of  Self ridge  ' 
Field  worked -all ' night  getting,  the  ship  out.  of  danger  and  dragging  it  to  dry 
ground.  : The  right  wheel  of  the  pldne>,was  entirely  under’  water. 

January  .'10th:  The  18  Pursuit  planes  departed  from  Self  ridge  Field  at  9:05 
a.m.  ,-  bound  for ’St.  ignaee,  Mich.  One  C^9'  T'rahspqrt  .plai'ie  departed  at  11:3.0. 
a.m. , and  another  one  it" 2:20  p.m.  The  02- Z'  plane , with  Lieut.  Ennis  C. 
Whitehead  as  pilot  and. Mr. tH.J.  Adamson,  passenger,  was  unable  to  depart,  due 
to  motor  trouble.  The ;1  Pursuit  ships  reached  St.  Xghace  at  11:25  a.m. , ..and 
Duluth,  Minn.,  at  3:20  p.m.  One  Ford  Transport  and  one  Douglas  Transport 
arrived  at  Muni  sing  at  "4: 0(3  p.m.  ' The  Ford  Radio  plane  arrived  at  St.  Ignaee 
at  5:10  p.m.  a 

January  11th:  Lieut;-  Whitehead  with  Mr.  Adamson 'departed  from  Self  ridge 
Field  for  St.  Ignaee  at;  §r40’a.m.  The  18  Pursuit  planes  arrived  at  Minot,  N.D. 

January  12th:  With  the  temperature  20  degrees  below  zero,  the  Group  at- 
tempted to  start  their ’pl-ahes  for  the  next  leg  of  their  flight.  The  rear  end 
of  the  crankcase  of  Lieut . "Bolen*  s plane -was  torn  out  by  the  starter  because 
the  motor  was  too  cold  to "turn  over,  and  it  was  decided  to  wait  for  the  arrival 
of  the  transport  with 'thehheaters . One  ' Ford  Transport ' and  one  Douglas  Transport 
arrived  in  the  aftefnobn.  Lieut.  Rogers,  who  was  delayed  at  Grand  Forks  with 
damaged  skii,  also  arrived.  The  Douglas  Transport , piloted  by  Lieut.  French, 
which  was  forced  down  -25  miles  east  of  Minot, due-  to  a broken  oil  line,  proceeded 
to  Minot  after  the  .break 7wab  repaired,  ■but  met' with  another  mishap  when  the 
right  axle  broke  in  lahduhgi v ’r  - •'  - 

January  13th:  A-iie'W  motor  was-:  expressed-'  from  Self  ridge  Field  to  replace 
the  one  in  Lieut.  Bolen*  s" plane 'which  was  daiiia-ged  thet  previous  day  when  an  at- 
tempt was  made  to  start- rit".-' - - ■ ' Lieut. 

Whitehead  with  Mr.  Adamsdn,.  in  the  - 02-Z',’  "held"  dve r at  Amasa, ' Michigan,  due  to 
severe  weather  conditions,’  arrived  at  Wausau,  Wisconsin,  in  the  afternoon. 

The  flight  to  GiasgbW, ;;  'Montaiiay  Was  ms/d,e  : f n groups  of  three  and  five 
planes,  thus  affording  the  "junior  officebs  ah  .pxc’cirent  opportunity  to  lead 
their  units  in  winter  weatherV  pBefore.;  starting ,'  .the’ water  and  oil  were  drained 
from  engines  ■ and  live" ste'am' injected  to  m’ot'0r*'S:,  using  hot  blowers  actuated  by  • 
blow  torches.  As  ,a  result  of  these,  heating  ^operations , throe  radiators  started 
leaking.  The  start. ‘was  a.  long  process  , the'  fe-roup  arriving  safely  at  Glasgow, 
the  last  plane  touching  the  ground  at  1:15  p.m.  In  talcing  off  the  skiis  on 

-32-  ~ 7-5980,  A.  C. 


Lieut.  War ‘burton’s  plane  were  damaged,  so  badly  that  they  were  replaced  by  wheels. 
Handicapped  by  his  wheel  landing  gear,  Lieut.  Warburton  nevertheless  made  a 
nice  landing. 

Just  as  the  last  plane  arrived  at  Glasgow,  the  first  one  took  off  for  Great 
Falls,  Montana.  All  but  four  of  the  planes  arrived  at  that  plane  at  3:45  p.m. 
Motor  trouble  necessitated  Lieut.  Elliott  making  a forced  landing  at  Hosey, 
some  50  miles  from  the  nearest  railroad,  due  to  a broken  piston.  Overtaken  by 
darkness,  Lieuts.  Wolf,  Warburton  and  Putt  landed  at  Havre,  Montana.  During 
the  flight  to  Great  Falls,  the  temperature  varied  from  ten  degrees  below  zero 
to  five  above.  Some  winter  fog  and  snow  flurries  forced  the  pilots  to  fly  at 
an  altitude  of  200  feet  and  often  below  that  mark.  The  level  country  made 
conditions  ideal  for  flying  with  skiis.  The  pilots  were  reported  to  be  in  ex-  . 
cellont  condition,  while  the  planes  required  some  minor  repairs  on  skiis. 

January  14th:  It  was  necessary  for  the  Pur suiters  to  delay  their  departure 
■from  Great  Falls  due  to  snow  flurries  and  low  visibility.  Aided  by  willing 
citizens  of  Great  Falls,  the  Pursuiters  worked  all  morning  to  start  the  motors, 
and  succeeded  in  doing  so  only  to  find  their  labors  wasted.  City  officials  ar- 
ranged to  have  three  steam  boilers  on  the  flying  field  the  next  day  to  facili- 
tate starting  the  engines. 

Lieuts.  Wolf,  Warburton  and  Putt,  who  landed  at  Havre,  arrived  at  Kali spell, 
Montana,  but  in  landing  Lieut.  Putt  broke  a skii , causing  him  to  nose  up  and 
b re  ale  the  propeller.. 

Lieut.  Shanahan,  with  nine  enlisted  mechanics,  took  off  in  the  Transport 
from  Minot,  landed  at  Glasgow  for  gas  and  headed  for  Kali spell.  Unable  to  get 
through  the  mountain  pass,  he  had  no  alternative  except  to  land  at  Havre. 

In  an  attempt  to  test  the  visibility,  Lieut.  Crawford  took  off  at  one 
o’clock,  but  when  five  miles  from  the  landing  field  he  was  forced  down  to  200 
feet.  The  landing  gear  of  Lieut.  Rogers’  plane  was  broken,  and  steps  were 
taken  to  repair  it  locally. 

January  15th:  It  was  a hectic  day  for  the  Army  airmen  at  Great  Falls.  The 
temperature  at  the  field  was  32  degrees  below  zero  when  work  was  started  in  the 
morning  to  get  the  motors  started.  Through  the  use  of  live  steam,  hot  Prestone 
and  hot  oil,  seven  motor's  were  started  and  the  planes  dispatched  to  Kalispell, 
Montana,  under  Lieut.  Crawford.  Lieut.  Sanders  could  not  get  off  the  ground,', 
due  to  the  condition  of  the  skiis.  The  six  ships,  after  arriving  within  30 
miles  of  Kalispell,  were  forced  to  turn  back  because  of  fog  and  mountains. 

Four  planes  returned  to  Great  Falls,  Lieut.  Sillin  being  forced  do?/n  at  Brandy, 
Montana,  and  Lieut.  Giovannolli  at  Power,  Montana,  because  of  exhaustion  of 
gasoline.  ’ . 

The  Ford  Transport  reached  Kalispell  to  wait  the  arrival  of  the  remainder 
of  the  Group.  Lieut.  C.A.  Harrington,  in  his  dispatch,  stated  that  the  Eskimo 
garb  seen  at  Great  Falls  was  looked  upon  favorably  by  the  pilots  suffering  from 
cold  and  fatigued  by  working  in  stiff  flying  suits,  also  that  they  were  raiSdiy- 
ing  extremely  valuable  experience  repairing  and  caring  for  their  own  planes  in 
the  field. 

Lieut.  Elliott  arrived  at  Great  Falls  after  a 70-mile  sled  trip  from  the 
Mountains  to  Big  Sandy,  Montana . The  farmer  who  brought  Lieut.  Elliott  in  from 
Hosey  Post  Office  to  Big  Sandy  came  in  through  a raging  blizzard.  On  arrival 
one  horse  dropped  dead  and  the  farmer  was  taken  to  the  hospital,  where  he  was 
reported  to  be  in  a critical  condition.  Arrangements  were  made  to  ship  a new 
motor  from  Self ridge  Field  to  Lieut.  Elliott  and  for  him  to  ferry  it  in  a 
transport  plane  to  his  stranded  plane  at  Hosey. 

Lieut.  Duke,  pilot  of  the  Radio  'plane,  was  reported  to  be  still  held  over 
at  toasa,  Michigan. 

January  16th:  Talcing  heed  of  the  harrowing  flight  of  the  six  planes  which  . 
were  forced  to  turn  back  when  within  30  miles  of  Kalispell,  the  Group  took  all 
possible  precautions  before  attempting  to  again  cross  this  wild  section  of  the 
mountains.  The  officers  engaged  on  this  flight  suffered  extremely  from  the 
cold.  While  awaiting  weather  reports,  advantage  was  taken  of  the  opportunity 
to  have  four  skiis  repaired  and  to  have  the  three  steam  lines  ready  for  start- 
ing the  motors  the  following  morning.  Goggles  worn  by  the  pilots  were  declared 
unsatisfactory  because  of  frosting,  necessitating  their  flying  without  them. 

Lieut.  Rogers  was  taken  to  a hospital  with  an  infected  foot,  while  Lieuts. 
Underhill  and  Giovannolli  suffered  from  frozen  noses. 

-33- 


7-5980,  A. C. 


Lieut  * Duke,  held  over  at  Amasa,  Michigan,  flew  the  Radio  Transport  to 
Wausau,  Wisconsin, 

•One  boiler  supplying  steam  to  planes  froze  while  in  operation  and  one  of 
its  piped  cracked.  Another  "boiler  was  supplied  "but  efforts  to  get  up  suffici- 
ent steam  therein  while  in  the" open  proved  without  avail. 

January  17th;  A "blizzard  with  a 35-mile  wind  on  the  plateau  airport  of 
Great  Dalis  foiled  the  attempts  of  the  Army  pilots  to  start  their  motors  for 
the  flight  to  Spokane.  The  temperature  was  14  degrees  "below  zero.  Snow  lashed 
"by  the  wind  drifted  high,  about  the  ships.  Officers  working  on  them  found  it 
necessary  to  wear  lined  face  masks.  Removing  his  gloves  to  fasten  a bolt  on 
his  ifLane,  Major  Royce ’s  hands  froze,  but  he  succeeded  in  thawing  them  out  in 
time  to  avoid  serious  consequences. 

Lieut.  Straubel  succeeded  in  starting  his  plane,  but  at  the  cost  of  a 
frost-bitten  face.  A physician  was  attending  to  Lieut.  Underhill* s nose  which 
was  frozen  the  day  before. 

The  three  Pursuit  planes,  piloted  by  Lieuts.  Wolf,  War hurt on. and  Putt,  and 
the  Transport  with  nine  mechanics,  piloted  by  Lieut.  Shanahan,  took  off  from 
Kali spell  at  noon  and  arrived  at  Spokane.  - • 

There  were  many  cases  of  frost  bites  among  the : personnel  held  over  at 
Great  Dalis.  t . 

January  18th;  Snow  and  poor  visibility  still  held  the  13  planes  over  at 
Great  Dalis.  A broken  cylinder  in  one  of  the  engines  of  Lieut.  Duke’s  plane 
forced  him  to  remain  at  Wausau,  Wis. , to  -wait  for  the  arrival  of  a new  engine. 

January  19th:  Major  Royce  . ..leading,  the  , flight  of  13  planes, ^arrived  at 
Spokane,  Wash.,"  at  4:00  p.m. , his  telegram  reporting  arrival  at  destination 
reading  as  follows; 

"Having  battled  force's -of.  King- Winter  ten -days  and  won  from  them  secrets 
of  how  they,  intend  to  aid  enemies  of  United  States  in,  war  times  the  . Di.rst 
Pursuit  rests  in  Spokane,  Washington,  while  battle  wounds  are  healed.  - 

With  arrival  of  -Lieut/-.;  Bolen,  whose  motor  was  treacherously  damaged  by  the 
enemy  in  skirmish  at  Minot,  North., .Dakota,  .seventeen  Pursuit  planes  and  one  Dord 
Transport  now  stand  definitely  on 'the  ice  at  •Ne\vman'  Lake,  -fifteen  miles:. -east  of 
Spokane . Battered  skiis  are  being  repaired,  motors  looked  over,  valves  checked, 
fabric  patched  and  broken  parts  replaced  as  well  as  can  be  done  in  this  opera- 
tion of  a fighting  air  unit  far  away  from,  base  of  supplied.-  One;  pilot  and -one 
Pursuit  plane  are  still  in  the  enemy’s  hands.  Lt  . Rogers  in  -hospital  Great 
Dalis,  Montana,  with  infected  foot , and  Lt . Elliott’s  plane  being  ill  treated  by 
blizzards  on  a bleak  Montana  hillside.  However,  this  plane  will  soon  be  recai>- 
tured.  ....  New  motor  has  arrived  Great  .Dalis,  .Montana,  to-  .be  taken  by  Lieuts. 

Elliott  and  Shanahan  in  Dord  Transport  to  stranded  plane  if  landing  there  is 
possible.  Douglas  Transport  piloted  by  Lieuts.  Drench  and  Lowry  holds  an  out- 
post at  Minot  and. awaiting  orders.  Lieut.  Duke  with  burnt  out  right  motor  on 
Dord  Transport  awaits  new  motor  at  Wausau, -Wis.  Observation  plane  piloted  by 
Lieut.  Whitehead,  and  carrying  Mr.  Hans  Adamson,  representative  of  Assistant 
Secretary  of  War  D.  Trubee  Davison,  will  meet  Group  along  homeward  flight,  it 
having  been  hard  pressed  by  the  enemy, 11 

January  20th:  Lieut.  Bolen  departed  from  Great  Dalis  at  10:00  a.m. , and 
arrived  at  Spokane  at  2:30  p.m. 

Lieut.  Drench,  pilot  of  the  C-l  Transport,  was  delayed  at-  Sidney,  Montana. 

In  landing,  the  axle  was  broken,  necessitating  shipment  to  him  of  right  half 
landing  gear. 

January  2lst:  In  a telegram  from  Major  Royce,  seiit  from  Spokane , Wash., 
he  stated  that , barring  violent  weather,  the  Dirst  Pursuit  Group  expects  to 
begin  the  return  journey  to  Self ridge  Dield  on  the  22nd.  The  skiis  were  re- 
paired in  Spokane  and  all  but  two  replaced,  on  planes.  The  planes  which  required 
.engine . repairs  were  flight- tested.  It  had  been  contemplated  wiring  heaters  into 
planes  for  "tlie  purpose  of  facilitating  the.,  starting  the  engines,  but  it  was  found 
that  plumbers’  pots  warm  engines-  so  well  that  Group  may  depend  on  borrowing  them 
from  cities  where  overnight  stops  are  made. 

Major  Royce  further  stated. that  the  ’pilots  were  rested  and  were  anxious  to 
try  new  ideas  on  how  to  keep  warm  and  see  through  goggles  high  above  the 

—34—  V-5980,  A. C. 


Rockies  and  down  in  canyons  weathering  blizzards  and  35  below  temperatures.  He 
be  1 i eve  d the  return  t rip  • woul  d ..be  mere  < easily : accompl  i shed  • be  cause  .of.  the 
lessons  learned  so  far.  . • . . ■*"  , 

January.  22nd:  Leaving  Spokane  at  i:lQ:^5.  a..m. , • on;  the  first  leg  of  the  re- 
turn flight,  the  Self  ridge  Flyers  arrived  at  Helena,.  Montana, . ..at. 1:45  ;p.m. 

The  late  fake-off  from  Spokane,'  due  -to  mounting  of  three  skiis  .and. motor  start- 
ing troubles,  necessitated  abandonment  .of  the  scheduled '35-mile  flight  over 
S-polcane  prior  to  departure.  The  flight;  to  Helena  was.  favored  by  perfect  visi- 
bility all - the  way  across  the  Rocky.  Mountains ..  Extreme  cold  was  experienced 
at  the  high  altitudes  it  was  necessary  to  attain  in  order  to  clear  the.  peaks. 

A temperature  of  12  degrees  below  zero  greeted,  the  visitors  when  they  landed 

■ at  Helena.  Plenty  of  snow  was  on  the  ground  for  landing  and  take-off. 

January  23rd:  Meeting  the  forces  of  Zing  Winter  with  a newly  found 
weaxDon,  namely,  the  humble  plumbers*  fire  pot,  the  First  Pursuit  Group  gained  a 
signal  victory. in  being  able  to  start  the  motors,  that  morning- at  Helena  in  time 
to  arrive  at  Mile's. City,  Montana,  via  Billings,  at.  3:30  in  the  afternoon.  At 
Helena  these  fire- pots  proved  the.  best  means  of .warming  the  motors  -for  starting 
in  sub-zero  weather.  The. planes  were  parked  parallel  to  a spur  of  the  Union 
Pacific- Railroad-.  Half  of  them  were  warmed  by  steam  lines  from  a. locomotive 
on  this  spur  and  the  remainder  • by.  the  fire' pots.  Starters  were  broken., on  four 
-planes,  necessitating  turning  the  -propellers, by  hand.  These  four  were  sent 
direct  to  Miles  City  without  stopping,  at  Billings;  arriving  shortly  before  the 
•remaining  IS-  shi-ps  of  the  Group ' and  landing  on  the  ice  at  Rattlesnake  Lake. 

A series  of  snow  storms  from  Billings  to.-Mile-s;  City  forced  the  Group  into 
echelon  formation  at  a low  altitude.  The  pilots:,  however,,  were  growing  accus- 
tomed to  flying  through  such  storms. 

•In  taxying.  -after ' landing  at  -Helena,  Lieut . Bolen  nosed  up  when  the;,  right 
skii  struck  an  iron  pipe, ; resulting  in  breaking  the. right  .side  of  undercarriage 
and r propeller.  Repairs- were  made  and  Lieut.  Bolen  reached. Miles.  City  shortly 
following! the  arrival  there  of  the  Group.. 

January  .24th:  - When  the  take-off  from  Miles  City  was  made  j'  the.  .weather  re- 
ports received  indicated  snow  flurries  and  a ceiling  of  1, 000.  feet".  As  the 
Group  progressed,  however,  the  visibility  became  poorer  .and  the.  flying  danger- 
ous. When  four  miles  east  of  Beach,  North  Dakota,  the  blizzard  then  raging 
'.made  visibility  impossible-,  and  forced  landings  were  made.' on  the ; farm  of  A.H. 
Arnold,.  Lieut;:  Wahburt on.  crashed.; Within. a . few  hundred  feet  of  the  .farmhouse, 
receiving  cuts  about  his  head.  He  was  taken  to  Beach  in  a .wagon  sled,  no 
automobiles  being  able  to.,  get  through  on  the  roads. 

The-  forced,  .landings  were  .very.'  difficult  to  make  for  all  planes.;  Major 
Royce  went  through  three  wire  fences  and  damaged  his  plane1,  a large  dent  being 
made  in  the  tail,  surfaces'. 

January  25th:-/  The  Parsuiters  busied' themselves  salvaging  Lieut;;-  Warbar- 
ton’s  plane  and  repairing  the  other  planes.  Six. pilots,  Lieuts.  Crawford, 
Straubel,  Sillinj-  Rhudy,  Underhill  and  Wart  smith,  ■ succeeded  in  starting  their 
engines,  -through  the  use  of  plumbers’  fire  pots"  and  left  for  Bismarck,  N.D. 

The  Army-  airmen  have  a high  regard  for  plumbers’  fire  pots,  claiming  that  they 
.have:  solved  the  -problem  of  starting' motors  .in  cold  weather.  ,. 

Lieut.  Warburton  was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  Fort  Lincoln,  N.D.,  suffer- 
ing from  shock  and  cut.s  about  his  face.;,  . especially  two; ,de;ep  puts  on  his  fore- 
head and-,  one  .on  his  chin..  His- plane  was  -found,  to,  be  -a  comple.te':. wrack,,  much 
worse  than  Lieut.  Warburton*  s.  injuries  -would  . have  led  . one  to  surmise.  The 

■ blizzard  ,-the  previous:  day  prevented,  a detailed  inspect  ion.  -‘fi.f  - the:;  plane  after 
the  crash.  Lieut. -Warburton  .remembere.d^  nothing  of'  the  ofash,  and  it.; -is  pre- 
sumed that  he  zoomed  his  plane  to  avoid  the  Arnold  farmhouse  loomingvUp-  before 
him  in  the  blizzard  which  caused  him  to  lose  flying  speed  and  crash  on  the 
right  wing.,':  .;  .The’  stabilizer.,  tail  surface',  were  good  enough'.',  to- -•  be: placed  on 
Major  Royce*  s:  plane.  The'  instruments  j machine-  gun  and  one;  magneto  were  taken 
from  the  wreck.  What  remained  was  nothing 'but : junk  and  Was- permitted  to  be 

hauled  away  .-from  the.  Arnold:  farm-.  . 

Six  of  - the  pilots  spent:  most  of-  the... afternoon  sewing  up:  the  holes  in 
Major  Royce:*  s ship The-  lower  wings,  were  spreaded , and -a  fence  post  had  gone 

■ through  the  bottom  of  the  fuselage.,  The  snow  was:  very  deep  and  in  drifts. 

...r  -35m':  : 7-5980,  A.C. 


Felices'-  wdre  ' tdken'  down  in  order  to  move  tHe  diips*  in- the-- largest  -open  space  for 
take-off V Had  the  blackest  of 'the  blizzard  o ve  rt  a&ehy  the '’&roup  five  minutes 
later,  they  would  have  been  over  the  Dakota  Bad  Lands,  and  the  landing  of  the 
flight  would  have  -proved  disastrous.  Landing  the  previous  day  in  a 40-mile 
gale,  and  unable  to  see  the  ground,  the  windmill , Which  almbbt  proved  to  be  the 
undoing  of  some  of  the  pilots,  gave  them  the  wind  direction,' and  all  of  them 
circling  to  the  left  from 'habit  prevented  collisions. 

Installation  of  a ne\7  motor  in  the  plane  which  Lieut.  Elliott  was  forced 
to  land  i’n  the  mountains,  55  miles  east  of  Fort  Benton,  Montana,  was  completed. 
This  particular  job  would  make; a good  story  by  itself.  The  Ford  Transport, 
piloted  by  Lieut.  Shanahan,  which'  ferried  the  motor  to  the  stranded' ship, 
carried  Lieut.  Elliott  as  passenger . The  change  of  motor  effected,  both  planes 
took  off  froin  a rather'  precarious  spot  in  the  mountains  and  reached  Great  Falls 
at  nightfall. 

January;  26  th.  The  nine  pilots  holdup  near  Beach,  H.D. , succeeded  in  warm- 
ing up  their  'motors  and  took  off  at  noon,  for  Bismarck,  H.D..  Half  an  hour  later, 
when  over  Richardton,  F.D. ,;  they  encountered' a snowstorm,  necessitating  their 
turning  back  and  circling.  They  reached  Bismarck  at  1:20.  p.m. , serviced  their 
planes,  lunched  and  then  took  off  again,  seven  of  them  reaching  Fargo  at  4:55 
p.m.,  and  Lieuts.  Rogers  and  Elliott  roaring,  in  five  minutes  later. 

The  six  Pursuit  planes,  led  by  Lieut.  Crawford,  who  took,  off . from  Bismarck 
soon  aftoh  Major  Boyce' s contingent  arrived,  reached  Fargo,  H.D.,  at  4:30  p.m. 

Lieuts.  French  and  Lov/ry,  piloting  the  Douglas  Transport  equipped  with, 
wheels,  arrived  at  4;55:  p.m.  Leaving  Sydney,  Montana,  in  the  morning,  they 
passed  over  the  Group  near'  Beach,  F.D.  ,-  and  were  about  to  make  a landing  when 
they ' Were  - waved  on.  It  was  fortunate  that  the  pilot's  attention  was  attracted 
just  before  he  was  preparing  to  land  with  his  wheels  in  the  snow-drifted  field. 

It  lOoi&d-iike'a  good  landing  field;  from  the  air.  ’ . '••  ; . 

Lieut.  Rogers,  released  from  the  hospital  at  Great  Falls,  joined.  Lieut . - 
Elliott  in  ' the'  take-off  at  daybreak  for  Miles  City  , Bismarck  and  Fargo. " : .The 
Ford  Transport  also  left  Great  Falls  at  daybreak  and  reached  Miles  City  just' as 
Lieuts.  Rogers^ and  Elliott  were  leaving  for  their  next  stop. 

'-'Lieut'.'  Duke,  piloting  the  Radio  C-9  Transport,  arrived  atf  Minneapolis 
with  engine  in 'poor  condition. 

January  27  th:  ' ■Taking'1  'off  from  Fargo-  at  10:30  a .mV-',;  the  First  Pursuit  ’ 
Group -reached -'Minneapolis , ' Minn.  , at  12:30  p.m.-,  completing  another  leg  of  the 
Arctic  Patrol  Flight . 

The  Ford  Transport  from  Bismarck  reached  Fargo  just  as  the  Group'  was  pre-  '" 
paring  to  take  off  for  Minneapolis  and  joined  the  flight.  -Including  the  dis- 
abled' radio  plah'e'at'  Minneapolis,  which  awaited  the  arrival- of  the  Group,  all 
but  'two  '-of' ^ thefVdahes  'Which  started  from -Self  ridge  Field  on  the  long  flight 
were  together  again  in  Minneapolis  (17  pursuit  iplanes , two'  Ford  tri-motor  Trans- 
ports and  the  Douglas  Transport).  The  Observation  02-K,  piloted  by  Lieut. _ 
Whitehead,  retiifned  'to/Myton,  Ohio.  ';  ; 

The  flight  from  Fargo'  was  almost  bio  deed  by  a snowstorm  shortly  after  the', 
take-off . ' -The'  "Group  climbed  over  this  Jstorm,  circled  until  a hole  was  found  in 
the  clouds  and' diving' fhf ou^  this  hole- 'they  soon  flew  out  of  the  storm  area 
and 'had'-' clear  Weather  into  Minnoapeiid  save  for  occasional' snow  flurries. 

" - January’ 'RHthr' ■'■  Comipleting  all  the  necessary  repairs,  the  twenty  ‘ships  - 
17 'Pursuit,  3 'Transports  - left  Minneapolis  shortly  after  noon  and,  favored  by 
cleai'  and  -cold'  wedtiie'r-,'  landed  by  2:45  p.m.  ;on  the  excellent  .airport  at  ^ausau, 
Wisconsin,'  :-'Whlcii‘ ; covered  with  deep  snOw;-’/"  Utilizing  "the  'now  famous  plumbers* 
fire  pots, 'ho; -difficulty  was ce'x7erienced;in  starting' the  motors,  and  the  planes 
took  off  On' scheduled  time.  ' ‘ ’ ; . '■  -r 

January  29th:  The  Par suiters  arrived  home  (Self ridge  Field)  shortly  before 
darkV  Fifteen  planes • in  tightly  packed  formation  saluted  the  home  field  by  pass- 
ing ' In ''review  :do\7n  the ; Hangar  line;  ' .'  ' : ’ 

:Thd  Group  left’  Wausau,'  tflsconsin,  at  '9:20  a.itr.V  after  starting  the  motors 
loromptljr  with  the  aid  of  the  fire  pots.  A landing  was- made  at  Escanaba,  Mich., 
where  the -planes'  wore  sefviced'find the  pilots  innChedV;' ;The  landing  was  made  on 
an  Ice-  covered -lake  -Whi’cR  had  -a  mantle  of'  deep- -enow'  over;  it . A three-hours ' 
flight  bro-u^if  the' 'pilot’s  to  'Solffidge-  Field.- 

* -•  Sooii  after  leaving  Escanaba,  Mich.,'  Lieut.  Sillln  was  forced  down  at  Cooks, 

-36-  V-5980,  A. C. 


Michigan,  due  $0  .a  broken  connecting  rod.  Lieut. '^Elliott  landed  beside  him'  t'O"  " 
render  whatever,  assistance  he  could  and  took  off  later  and  reached  Self ridge 
Field  at  six  o’clock.  : . 

Lieut.  Shanahan,  piloting  the  Ford'  Transport  , arrived  at  6 :20  p.m. , after 
darkness  had  settled  over  the  field.  Clear  and  cold  weather  was  encountered 
during  the  day’s  flight. 

January  30th:  Lieut.  Duke,  piloting  the  'Radio  Transport  , and  Lieuts. 

French  and  Lowry,  in  the  Douglas  G-il:  Trans-port,  were  delayed  at  Bay  City,  Mich.,, 
and  arrived  at  Selfridge  Field  at  noon. 

February  2nd:  His  airplane  repaired,1'’ Lieut . Sill  in  took  off  from  Cooks, 
Michigan,  and  arrived  at  Selfridge  Field  at  5:15  p.m. 

— -0O0-— 

NEW  OFFICERS  FOR  THE  AIR  CORPS 

As  a result  of  the  examination  held  October  7th  to  12th,  54- Air  Corps 
Reserve  Officers  qualified  and  were  appointed  second  lieutenants  in  the  Air 
Corps,  Regular  Army.  These  ne\7  appointees  are  listed  below.  The  majority  of 
them  were,  at  the  time  of  their  examination,  on  extended  active  duty  at  Air 
Corps  fields.  Save  in  the  case  of  Lieut.  William  A.  Schulgen,  the  station 
assignment  of.  these  officers  was  not  changed  under  their  new  status.  Three  . 
officers  were  not  on  active  duty  status  at  the  time  of  their  appointment,  viz: 
Lieuts.  Olsen,  Rawlins  and  Wright.  " 

The  new  Air  Corps  .Regulars  are  listed  below,  as  follows: 


Name 


Home  Address 


Station  Assignment 


Anderson,  Edward  Lapsley 
Anderson,  Edward-  Wharton  ■ 
Auton,  Jesse 
Baxter,  Donald  Harvey  • 
Baylor,  Joseph  Wiley 
Beatie,  Alfred  Lot 
Brownfield,  Leon  Ray 
Burns , Robert  Whitney 
Chappe 1 e 1 1 , Cyr i 1 
Cork,  Robert  Oswald 
Covington,  John  Coleman 
Crosher,  Kenneth  Ross 
Dolan,  William  Charles  - 
Egan,  John  Waldron 
Farman,-  Ivan  Lonsdale 
Gerhart,  John,  Koehler  ; 

Goetz Robert'  William 
Griswold,  Francis  Hopkinson 
Hegy,  Clarence  Frank 
Howze , •’ Harry  Whitfield 
Jenkins,  Daniel  Webster 
Judd,  Maurice  Warren. 
Kennedy , William  Leroy 
LeMay , Curtis  Emerson 
MacArthur , . Earle  Thomas  ,-  Jr. 
Mace,  Harold  Do ring 
ifo-crum,  Robert  Shuter 
Massie,  Louis  Ellis 
McLellan , George  Rrinton 
Meisenholder,  Philo  George 
Mills,  William  Courtney 
Morgan,  William  Richard 
Morse,  Winslow  Carroll 
Munroe,  Charles  L.,  Jr. 
Nelson,  Sidney  John 
Newberry,  James  Pro snail 
Olsen,  Norman. Bert 


Glendale , Ohio 
Long  Beach,  Calif. 
Demossville,  Ky. 
Lafayette,  Indiana 
■Bluefield,  West  Va. 
Oregon  City,  Oregon 
Fort  Riley,  Kansas 
EaU  Claire,  Wisconsin 
Los  Angeles,  Calif. 
-Detroit,  Mi.ch. 
Richmond,  Kentucky 
Pasadena,  Calif. 
Superior, 'Wisconsin 
New  York  City 
Oakland,  Calif. 
Chicago,  111. 

St.  Paul,  Minn. 

Erie,  Penna. 

Hartford,  Wis. 
Texarkana,  Ark. 
Floydada,  Texas. 
Rising  City,  Neb. 
Beaumont , Texas . 
Columbus,  Ohio. 
Boulder,  Colorado,  . 
Lake.  Helen,  Florida. 
Germantown,  Pa. 
Summerville,  Mai; 

West  Palm  Beach,  -Fla. 
Vermilion , .S .D.  -■ 

Moore sville * ‘N.C.  - 
■ Hinfon,L  Oklahoma). 

Los  Angeles,,;  Calif. 
Ben -Avon,  -Pa. 

Madison,  Wis* , - 
San  Antonio , Texas. 

. Chicago, 111. 

-37- 


Self  ridge  Field,  Mich. 
Rockwell  Field,  Calif. 
Selfridge  Field,  Mich. 
Mitchel  Field,  N. Y. 
Mitchel  Field,  N.  Y. 
Fort  Crockett,  Texas. 
Marshall  Field,  Kansas. 
Self ridge  Field,  Mich. 
Rockwell  Field,  Calif. 
Mitchel  Field,  N.Y. 
Mitchel  Field,  N.Y. 

Fort  Crockett,  Texas. 
Msrahall  Field,  Kansas . 
Mitchel  Field,  N.  Y.  . 
Rockwell  Field,  Calif. 
Mitchel  Field,'  N.Y. 
Rockwell  Field,  Calif. 
Selfridge  Field,  Mich. 
Self  ridge  Field,-  Mich. 
Fort  Crockett , Texas. 
Fort  Crockett,  Texas. 

Ro  ckwe 11  Fie Id , Cal if . 
Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas, 
Self ridge  Field,  Mich. 
Fort  Crockett,  Texas. 

. 1 '•  Maxwell  Field , ' Alabama . ' 
Mitchel  Field,  N.Y. 
'’Marshall  Field,  Kansas. 
.'Self ridge  Field,  Mich. 
Fort  Crockett,  Texas. 
Fort  Crockett,  Texas. 
Self ridge  Field,  Mich. 
Rockwell  Field,  Calif. 
Mitchel  Field,  N.Y. 

Self ridge  Field,  Mich. 
Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas. 
Self ridge  Field,  Mich. 

V— 5980',  A. C. 


. Name  . 

Patteson,  Elder 
Pr ince , Will iam  Mar shall 
Pugh,  Charles  Francis 
Rawlins,  Louis  Mir ray,  Jr. 
Redetzke',  Samuel  Oswald 
Ross,  Stoyte  Ogleby 
Ryan,  John  Paul 
Ryan,  Llewellyn  Owen 
Sfthulgeh,  William  Alexa 
Shepherd,  Albert  Wynne 
Tellman,  Herbert . Henry , 
Van’Auken,  Hanlon  H. 
Vaupre,  Louis  Adolph 
West,  Casper  Perrin 
White , Daniel  Beckett 
Wright , Roy  Thomas 
Wright , Stuart .Phillips 


. . Home  Address 

Sail  Diego  , Calif  . 
Laurinburg , N.  C. 

.Chevy  Cha.se,  .Md, 
..Baltimore, ' Md. 

"Wausau,  Wisconsin 
Jacksonville , Fla . 
Baltimore , Md, 

Elk  Point,  South  Dakota  ■ 
Traverse  City,  Mich. 
Columbus,  Georgia 
New  Salem,  N.D.  . 

Albion,  Michigan 
Kalamazoo , Mich. . 
Greenville , S.C. 

Fort  Sam  Houston,-  Tex i 
St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Dallas,  . Texas .,  • . . . 


Station  Assignment . 

Rockwell  Field,  Calif. 
Fort  Crockett , Texas. 

..  Mitch  el  Field,.  N.Y.; 

. :r  Langley:  Field,  Va. 

Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas. 
Maxwell  Field,  Ala. 

. Langley  Field,-.  Va.  ' 

Self ridge  Field,  Mich. 

• Self  ridge  Field,  Mich.. 
Maxwell  Field,  Ala. 

Self  ridge  Field,.  Mich. 

; Self  ridge  Field,  . Mich., 
Self ridge  Field,  Mich. 
Langley  Field,  Ya. 

Fort  Crockett,  Texas. 
Marshall  Field,  Kansas. 

. Self ridge  Field,  Mi. oh. 


— -o0o7~r- 

A : CATHEDRAL  QF  THE  llR  . 


A non- sectarian  chapel,  to  be  known  by  the  above  title,,  is  to  be  ereeted 
by  the  'American  .Legion  and  the  American  Legion  Auxiliary  Department  of  New. 
Jersey,  as  a tribute  to  self  sacrifice  and  devoted  ■ service. 

The  chapel  will  be  ,of  modified  Gothic  design. . The  architect,  Paul  Fhillippe 
Cret,  of  Philadelphia,  is  a veteran  of  four  years*  service  in  the  French  Army 
during  the  World  War.-  The  structure  Is  to'  be  erected  near  Lakehurst , N.J.,  the 
home  of  the  ill  -fated  U.  S .S . SHENANDOAH' when  sbe'  sailed  to  .write  her  tragic 
chapter  in  the  history  of  man’s  conquest-  of  the  air. 

The  Honorable  Morgan  F-.  Larson,.  Governor  of  New  Jersey,  is  Chairman  of.  the 
Citizens  Committee,  . . 

The  American  Legion  Memorial  Chapel  Association  of  1706  Packard  Building, 
Philadelphia,  Pa. , will  be  pleased  to  answer, -queries  concerning-  .this  movement. 

; . , 0O0— . ; :. 


■.CAPTAIN;.. S.TEVMS  DESIGNATED,  FOR  MACKAY  TROPHY. 


Upon  . the  "recommendation  of  a Board  of  Air  Corps  officers,.- Captain  Albert 
W.  Steven's,';  Air ’Corps,  has-,  been  designated  by -the  War  Department  to  receive  ..the1. 
Mackay  Trcnphy.  " ' 

The  Trophy  is  competed  for  annually  by  officers  of  the  United  States  Army 
under  rules  .made each  year-  by  the  War  Department . In  the  absence  of  such  con- 
test, the  Trophy  may  be  awarded  to  the  officer  or  officers  who  have  made,  the 
most  meritorious,  flight  of  the  year.  As  no  competition  for  the  Trophy  was  pro- 
vided for'  in  1929,  the  Board  recommended  the  award 'on  the  basis  of  the  most 
meritorious  f light.  “ 

"Any.  one"  of  the  three  major  flights  of  Captain  Stevens  was  very  meritorious, 
said  the  President  of  . the. . Board,  Brigadier  General  William  E>.  Gillmore , Chief 
of  the  Training  .and  Operations  Division  of  the  Air- Corps.  ■ "The  Board,  is  of  the 
opinion,  that  the  flights  of  Captain  Stevens  during  1929  should  be  considered  in 
the  light "of  a combined  achievement , with  a.  material  contribution,  to -the  Air 
GorpAin  particular  and  to  aviation  in .general. V ■ 

Captain  Stevens  has  -long  made  a study  of  high--  altitude  flying  and  aerial 
photography,  including  their  combination  into  high  altitude  and  long  range 
photography.  " ' ...  -.,  ••••'•'  •• 

On  February  27,  192.9 , with  Lieut.  Harry  Johnson,  as  pilot,  Captain  S;t  evens 
ascended  to  aii  -altitude  of  35,611  feet,  a record  at  that  time  for  a biplace 
airplane. ' Freed  of  the  responsibility  of  having  to  pilot  .the  plane.  Captain 
Stevens  was  thereby  enabled  to  make  -complete  and  accurate  notes  of  the'  'engineer- 
ing and  meteorological  features  of  the  flight,,  -his  data  proving  of  great  value 
to  the  'Engine ering  Division  -of  the  Air  Corps. 

On' March..  3,'  1929,  Captain  Stevens, _ in  a standard  observation  plane  piloted 
by  Lieut.  John  D. .'  Corkille-,  made  night  photographs  , of  the  Capitol  and  the  White  - 
House  at  Washington,'  D.C.  . Undaunted  by  several  .mishaps  earlier  in  the  evening, 

the  pair / of  flyers  kept  at  their  work  until  at  10:45  p.m.  with  successful  re- 

suits.  ' The.  negatives  were  dropped  immediately  after  exposure,  picked  up  by 

-38-  ‘ V-5980,  A. C. 


Air  Corps  officers  and  telephotoed  to  all  parts  of  the  country. 

The  climax  of  his  activities  came  when  on  a 14,000-mile  aerial  photo- 
graphic tour  of  the  Northwest  he  made  a photograph  of  Mt.  Rainier  from  a distance 
of  227  miles.  Piloted  again  hy  Lieut.  Corkille,  the  Army’s  expert  photographer 
spent  the  summer  in  taking  some  of-  the  most  beautiful  scenic  photographs  ever 
made.  Talcing  off  on  August  13th,  from  Eugene.,  Oregon,  and  flying  over  a point 
well,  south  in  Oregon,  Capt.  Stevens  was  unable  to  see- with  his  own  eyes  many  of 
the  mountain  ranges  and  peaks  he  hoped  to . include  ip.  his  next  photograph.  Con- 
sulting his -compass  and  pointing  his  -camera  in  the' ‘direction  of  Mt.  Rainier,  he 
made  the  exposure.  The  result  was  remarkable.  In  the  227-mile  picture,  the 
Three  Sisters  Mountains  are  shown  in' the  foreground,  15  miles,  away,  while  suc- 
cessively in  the  distance  are  Mt.  Washington- ,'  Three  Fingered  Jack,  Mt  .Jeff er son, 
Mt.  Hood,  Mt . St.  Helens  and  Mt.  Rainier. 

In  the  picture,  Mt.  Rainier,  although  in  reality.. higher , appears  lower 
than  the  other  mountains  in  the  foreground,  due  partly  to  the  curvature  of  the 
earth’s-'  surface.  In  addition  to  the  -photographic  data  gained  on  these,  long 
distance  -pictures,  it  is  thought  they  may  yield  important,  measurements  relating 
to  the  curvature  of  light  rays  around  the  surface  of  the  earth.  . 

The  military  possibilities  of  being  able  to  phot ograph  points  so  far  be- 
hind the  enemy’s  lines  are  apparent.'  "Captain  Stevens' by  dint  of  hard  work 
and  continued  effort  has  made  himself  an- authority  on  .high  altitude  conditions 
and  aerial  photography,"  said  Major-General  James  E.  Eechet,  in  reviewing  the 
decision  of  the  Trophy  Board.  "It  is  typical  of  him  that  last  summer,  in  at- 
tempting to  shield  an  intricate  aerial  camera  from  a fall,  he  took  a bad  fall 
himself  and  broke  his  arm  rather  than  allow  one  of  his  cameras  to  suffer  harm. 
His  hard  work  and  devotion  to  duty  are  a byword  in  the  Air  Corps.  He- has  cer- 
tainly made  valuable  contributions  to  science. as  the  result  of  his  1929 
flights." 

■ The  Hon..  E.  Trubee  Davison,  Assistant-  Secretary  of  War  for  Aeronautics, 
approved  the  decision  of  the  Board  and  stated  that  he  concurred  most  readily 
in:,  their  choice.  . 

Captain  Stevens  is  stationed  at  Wright  Field,  near  Dayton,  Ohio. ,' where  he 
is -Chief  of  the  Aerial  Photographic  Unit  of  the  Materiel  Division.  He  was 
horn  .in  Maine,  March  13,  1886 , . where  he  received  the  degrees  of  B.S.-  and  M.S. 
at  the  University  of  Maine.  His  home  is  at . Grimes  Pass,  Boise  County.,  Idaho. 

The  Mackay  Trophy  was  presented  to  the  Aero  Club  of  America  by  Mr. 

Clarence  H.  Mackay  in  1912.  The  Aero  Club  of  America’s  successor  is  -the  present 
National  Aeronautic  Association,  which  acts  as  custodian  of  the  Trophy  for  the 
War  Department*  The  Trophy  was  first  awarded  in  1912  to  Lieut.  H.H.  Arnold,  now 
.a  Major  in  the  Air  Corps.  It  was  last  awarded  to  Lieut.  Harry  A.  Sutton,  Air 
.Corps,,  for  his  flight  spin  tests  conducted  during  1928. 

oOo 

WAR  DEPARTMENT  ORDERS  AFFECTING  AIR  CORPS  OFFICERS.’ 

Changes  of  Station:  Major  John  B.  Brooks,  General  Staff,  relieved  Feb.  23d, 
and  to  sail  from  New  York  City- about  May  7,  1930,  for  duty  in  Philippines. 

Following  officers,  on  duty  at  stations  indicated, , to  duty  in  the 
Philippines,  sailing  from  New  York. City  about  May  7,  1930: 

Captain  Oliver.  S.  Person,  Chanute  Field,  111.;  1st  .Lieut.  Bushrod  Hoppin, 
Bolling  Field,  D.C.;  2nd  Lieut..  Willard  R.  Wolfinbarger,  Langley:  Field,  Va. 

Upon  completion  tour  of  duty  in  Hawaiian  Department,  Captain  Harry  C. 
Drayton  to  proceed  to  Chanute  Field,  Rant oul.  111.,  for  duty. 

:Upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in  Philippine .Department,  following- named 
officers  to  proceed  to  stations  indicated:  Captain  Charles  A.  Parsley  to  Chanute 
Field,  111.;  1st  Lieut.  Thomas  H.  Chapman  to  San  Antonio. Air  Depot,  Duncan 
Field,  Texas;  1st  Lieut.  Howard  C.  Davidson  to  1st  Balloon  Company',  Fort  Sill, 
Oklahoma;  1st  Lieut.  'Winfield  S.  Hamlin  with  Air  Corps  troops,  Fort  Sill,  Okla. ; 
1st  Lieut.  Bayard  Johnson  to  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio;  1st.  Lieut.  Oakley  G. 
Kelly  to  Air  Corps  Training  Center,  Dancan  Field,  Texas;.  1st  Lieut.  Augustine 
F.  Shea  to  Bolling  Field,  D.C.-j  2nd  Lieut.  -'Clarence  S.  Irvine,  to  March  Field, 
Riverside,  Calif. 

1st  Lieut.  Richard  K.  Lebrou  to  Rockwell  Field,  Calif.,  upon  completion 
tour  of  duty  in  Panama  Canal  Department. 

1st  Lieut.  Lester  M.  Rouch  to  Primary  Flying  School,  March  Field,  Calif., 
upon  completion  tour  of  duty  in  Philippines. 

2nd  Lieut.  F.  Edgar  Cheatle,  Brooks  Field,  to  Hawaiian  Department,  sailing 

-39-  * 7-5980,  A.C. 


from  San  Francisco  about  May  1,  1930. 

Colonel  Charles  H.  Danforth,  Selfridge  Field,  to  Washington,  D.C.,  for 
duty  in  Office  of  the  Chief  of  Staff. 

Lieut. -Col.  Roy  C.  Kirtland  from  duty  as  a member  of  the  War  Department 
General  Staff  and  to  Chanute  Field,  111.,  for  duty  as  Commanding  Officer. 

1st  Lieut . Arthur  G-.  Hamilton,  Selfridge  Field,  Mich,  to  Chanute  Field. 

Captain  G-randison  Gardner  appointed  as  Assistant  Commandant,  Air  Corps 
Engineering  School,  Wright  Field,  vice  Capt.  Edgar  P.  Soreneon,  to  be  relieved 
about  May  1,  1930. 

1st  Lieut.  Robert  H.  Finley,  Chanute  Field,  to  Hawaiian  Department,  sailing 
from  Hew  York  City  about  May  28,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  Arthur  J.  Lehman,  Brooks  Field,  to  Panama  Canal  Department , 
sailing  from  Hew  York  City  about  June  12,  1930. 

1st  Lieut.  Isaiah  Davies,  Richards  Field,  Mo.,  to  Langley  Field,  Yd.,  re- 
porting to  Commandant  of  Tactical  School  for  duty  not  later  than  Sept.  1,  1930. 

Capt.'Wm.  B.  Wright,  Jr.,  Rockwell  Field,  Calif.,  to  Richards  Field,  Mo., 
July  1,  1930,  for  duty  With  Organized  Reserves,  7th  Corps  Area. 

Upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in  Philippines,  2nd  Lt.  George  L . Murray 
to  March  Field,  Calif.  Previous  orders  in  his  case  revoked. 

1st  Lieut.  Robert  W.  Douglass,  Jr.,  from  Brooks  Field  to  Air  Corps  Train- 
ing Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas. 

1st  Lieut.  Eugene  C.  Batten,  Rockwell  Field,  Calif.,  to  Walter  Reed 
General  Hospital,  Washington,  for  observation  and  treatment. 

1st  Lieut.  Russell  L.  Williamson,  upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in 
Hawaiian  Department,  to  W tight  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Upon  completion  of  present  courses  of  instruction  at  Air  Corps  Technical 
School,  Chanute  Field,  ill.,  foil owing- named  officers  to  proceed  to  stations 
indicated  for  duty:  1st  Lieut.  Aubrey  M.  Ballard  to  Selfridge  Field,  Mich.;  1st 
Lt.  John  M.  McCulloch,  2nd  Lt.  Lindsay  M.  Bawsel  to  Mitchel' Field,  U.Y.;  1st  Lt. 
Henry  H.  Reily,  2nd  Lts.  Roland  O.S..  Akre  and  James  G-.  Pratt  to  Langley  Field, 
Ya. ; 2nd  Lts.  Joseph  H.  Atkinson,  Leo  W.  Desrosiers,  Herbert  C.  Lichtenberger  to 
Air  Corps  Training  Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas;  2nd  Lt . Ford  L.  Fair  to  Fort 
Crockett,  Texas;  1st  Lt.  James  W.  Spry,  2nd  Lts.  James  S.  Stowell,  Robert  L. 
Schoenlein  and  George  H.  -Sparhawk  to  Air  Corps  Technical  School,  Chanute  Field, 
111.;  2nd  Lt.  Harcisse  L.  Cote  to  Maxwell  Field,  Alabama;  2nd  Lt . Claire  Stroh 
to  Air  Corps  troops,  Fort  Sill,  Okla. 

Promotions:  Major  Frank  M.  Andrews  to  Lieut. -Col.,  rank  January  13,  1930. 

Major  Oscar  Westover  to  Lieut .-Colonel , rank  January  13,  1930. 

1st  Lieut.  Theodore  J.  Koenig  to  Captain,  rank  from  Sept.  4,  1929. 

1st  Lieut.  Grandison  Gardner  to  Captain,  rank  from  Sept.  19,  1929. 

1st  Lieut.  Alvan  C.  Kincaid  to  Captain,  rank  from  Sept.  19,  1929. 

1st  Lieut.  Omer  0.  Hiergarth  to  CaT>tain,  rank  from  October  2,  1929. 

1st  Lieut.  Roderick  U.  Ott  to  Captain,  rank  from  Hovember  4,  1929. 

2nd  Lieut.  Leonard  H.  Rodieck  to  1st  Lieut.,  rank  from  Se-ptember  14,  1929. 

2nd  Lieut.  John  L.  Hitchings  to  1st  Lieut.,  rank  from- September  16,  1929. 

2nd  Lieut.  George  H.  Steel  to  1st  Lieut.,  rank  from  September  19,  1929. 

2nd  Lieut.  Edward  H.  White  to  1st  Lieut.,  rank  froih  October  5,  1929. 

2nd  Lieut.  William  0.  Eareckson  to  1st  Lieut.,  rank  from  October  19,  1929. 

2nd  Lieut.  Richard  W.  Gibsoir  to  1st  Lieut.  , rank  from  October  25,  1929. 

2nd  Lieut.  Ralph  E.  Fisher  to  1st  Lieut* , rank  froin  Hovember  27,  1929. 

2nd  Lieut.  John  R.  Hawkins ' to  1st  Lieut,  rank  from' Hovember  16,  1929. 

Relieved  from  duty  in  Air  Corps:-  2nd  Lieuts.  Edward  B.  Henrp stead  to  the 
Philippines ; Ward  T.  Abbott  to  Engineers,  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas;  Harrison  W. 
Davison  to  2nd  Cavalry,  Fort  Riley,  Kansas;  John  L.  Hbrnor  to  Q..M.  Corps,  2nd 
Division,  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas;  2nd  Lieut.  Wayland  H.  Parr,  Coast  Artillery, 
to  Hawaiian  Department ; Bruce  D.  Rindlaub,  Engineers,  to  Fort  Logan,  Colorado; 
Philip  W.  Merrill  to  2nd  Infantry,  Fort  Brady, -Mich. 

Transferred  to  the  Air  Corps:  2nd  Lieut.  Frank  F.  Everest,  Jr.,  Field 
Artillery,  Hov.  21,  1929,  rank  from -June  9,  1928. 

2nd  Lieut.  James  F.  Olive,  Jr.,  Infantry,  Hov. 

June  9,  1929. 


21,  1929,  with  rank  from 


-40- 


V-5980 , A. C. 


iTOTBS ' : 3FHGM  i^.IH • G OUPS  : . ..  :• 

Langley  Field',  ’ Ya.y  January' -2lst. • • v:; 

You’d  just  -about  think  everybody  ;is  dead  do\m  Hero.  A7c  received  news  - h 
items  from  only  two  sources,  '.’Hut  ;&&coi*&lng  to _ a --recent  check  by  •■■your'  correspon- 
dent we  have  all  of  eight  (or  mayhc  its  ten  - 'one  or  two  riay  'have  beett'  hiding) 
organizations  on  the  .post  .which  must  have  had  something  of  interest -’happen' even 
i|.  it.  wad.  done  .'quietly,  however,  One'  or ' two  'little  things  &re  ’•  known. 

.instance,  .Corley.. got  married!.  Y'es,  Cprley  ’McDarmont ! Yoh  Idaow- him,' ~ all  ni coly 
married  and  settled  down. ' He  'marrioif'Miss  Miner' ''Tomlinson  of  HeWpori  Hews,  Va. , 
on  January  4th.  .They. have  just  returned  from  Hew  York  and’  are  - occnipyih-g  quar- 
ters on  the  . field.  .Oar  best  wishes  for  their  every  happiness. ' ■ • 

...  ■ Langley  Field  is  to 'have  a band'’,  a real  honest  to  goodness  hand  all  its 
own.  We  all,  sort  of  perked. up  a little  when  wo  heard  that  . It  Should  arrive 
about  the  latter  part  of  this  month,  and  will  ho  assigned  to  the  Second’ 
Bombardment  Group.  Won’t  the  old  Group  be  some  pumpkins  with  a bandh-.  .-' 

And  then  we’re  going  to  have  talkies  ’.  Yes,.  Sir;  right  here  on  the  post  I 
The  equipment,  is  .being  installed  -liowla^;  •tho'to"  ds-hopte-.-'^tliab  .-they:. 'will  .-bh  .’in;.’  full 
blast  (and  how)  by  the  middle  of  Fcbrula'fy Ho ‘fpoilng’,  this  is  getting  to  be  a 
regular  post!.  . 

For  the  ..third  .successive  .'year  the ' Gnphey1  ilward  Board-  selected  one  of  - the 
personnel  of  this  field  to  receive  the  Cheney  Award,  the  personnel thus' -honored 
being  - . ..  ■ • ' ',v  '•■■■ - - '•  ' a 

Master  Sergeant  Harry  Chapman  — -- — 1927  

• 1st  . Lieut.  (then,2.nd  Lt,.)"Uzal  G.  Ent  — 1928  1 ' ■ 

.2nd  Lieut.  W,  .A,:  ifetheny  — - — - — -----1929 

.•  ..The  notice- of  the;  selection  of  Lieut.  Matliehy  to  receive  - this ^Award’’ rhads- 
-"For  .heroic.,  conduct.  ozi '.^.ugiist  30',  1929 ; near  ■ -Managua ,-  Nicaragua,-  in  attempting 
to  rescue  , 1st  Lieut . ' Dwight  Canfield,’,  A.C. ,'  front  burning^  • ; kvt; 

The.  entire.'  personnel  of-  the  field." tenders'  to  -Lieut'*1  Mathehy-  their : heartiest 
congratulations,  for  having,  qualified' to  receive  -this  hbno-rm  ■■  ' - - 

■ 96th.  lombardpent  Squadron: ' .,"1-2,  A.C.  Ho-.  29-36 , .arrived  frbm  Buffalo.,  • 

Hew  York,.  January...  6.th,  malting  a total  of  nine-  Gphdbrs  in  this- organization,  at 
the  present  time.'  Lieut. " Adams,  'Group  Operations'  Officer,  departed. -for  Buffalo, 
H.Y.  , on  the  8 th -to;  ferry  back  3-2  Ho.  29-37.  Sergeant  Mendel"  accompanied  him 
as  crew  chief.  • ; : • v-:  v 

Several  formations  have  been,  flown  during  the  past  week.  The  Condors  ', 
piled  up  22  hours.,,  '40  minute's  "o,n  the  '9th,  ■ in" audit i oh -t o SeVcfab  hOtirh  of  night 
flying.  To'  break  the  'monotony  'they  all.  took  off  Cne--af^ornbb-n-:a--'bhC.3?t?  - time' 
ago  and  ..did  a beautiful,  .job  of  ..formation' flying  in  a heavy  -'raih  with  a ceiling 
of  5Q0  feet.  V.  ' f p • - - v . 

The  building  between' the 'hangars  has  been. : completed  and -'is5  liow  occupied 
by  the  Armament,  Ead.io  and  Air  Corps  supply  sub-stock  ■ rooh.b-  :The  temporary 
quarters  occupied  by  these  sections'  have  been '•rdmovdd  from -the  hangdr. 

■ - Master  Sergeant  Salan.skyv  returned  on'  the/,  17th'  ‘from -ninety "-days-’  furlough. 
The  Sergeant  will  retire  during  the  latter  part  of  ’ February.-  -■ 

The  Squadron  basketball  team',  ilhder  .the  able'  supervision  and  -excellent 
coaching  of  Lieut.  Power,  won  its  second  game  of -the  season- in- a spectacular 
contest  with  thG. formidable  Group  Headquarters  quintet.-  'Excellent-  guarding  on 
the  part  of  McICi'ijnoy^'and ,,'fhc. tetri’  s splendid  cooperation- was  largdly  respon- 
sible for  this.  ''With: the.  dark  hbrse  plays  developed'-' in  the  -last  few  days  and 
the.  team’s  natural  ..aggressiveness,  the  acquisition  of  the  cup  is  no : longer  a 
nebulous  supposition' but  rather .a  strong  probability; 

19  th  Air  shin  Company;.  Haih  and"high  winds  hampered  'the  '-flyihg  activities 
of  this  organization  during! the  past  week, ' and" consequently  -only -four  flights 
were  made.  Two  reconnaissance  flights  and  one  radid'and’ compass  test  flight 
were  flown  on  the  10th  in  the  TC-6,  and 'a  test  flight  in-  theTE-2,- which  has 
. just  been  repaired,  was  made  on  the  15th, ''LieUt.'  Ent  -Conducting'  the  -test. 

The  19  th.  Basketball  squad  finished  .the’ first  half  of '-the  season  with-a 
500  average,  winning  three  and  losing 'the  same number.  However;  they  feel 
that,  they  have. had  some  bad  breaks,  including; a late' start  and  a. few  crippled 
players.  With  these  handicaps  overcome" they-  expect  to  finish  well  Up  among 
the  leaders.  . 

Bolling  Field,. D, C..  January  16th.  

Four  planes' of  the'  Connecticut'  Ha tiona.r  Guhrd"; stayed" -ht  Bolling  the  night 
of  January  10th  and  left  early  the  ;hext 'mdfnih'g  for  Miami . • The-  flight  was 

• -41-  7-5980,  A.C. 


under  the  command  of  .Major  Johnson,  Connecticut  national  Guard. 

Lieut.!  Phillips  Mcly.ille-,  ' Air  Corps, ' recently  appointed  Assistant  Military 
Attache  for  Air  to  Cuba,  was  at  Lolling  Field  on /January  2nd  on  his  way  to 
Havana-.  He  was  flying  a Fought-  Corsair.  . 

The  Curtiss  " Tanagor",,  which  recently  v;Oii  the  Guggcnheih.  $100,000  Safety 
Prize,  was  at  Lolling  Field  oh  January  10th  and  11th,  where-  it  was  tested  by 
several  Air  Corps  officers.. 

Lieut.  Gaines,  Air  Corps  test  pilot  at-  the  Curtiss  plant,  in  Hew  York,  was 
at  Lolling  for  several  days.  He  was  ferrying  a Sikorsky  Amphibian  to  bright 
Field.  Several  of  the  officers  at  the  field  took  advantage  of  the  opportunity 
to  test  thie  plane, 

Lieut..  Merrick  led  a flight  of  four  P-l’  s over  Arlington  Cemetery  on 
January  2nd  during  the  funeral  of  the  late  Lieut.  Langhorne  7/ . Motley,  Air  Corps. 
Other  members  of  the  flight  were  Captain  Laker,  Lieut s.  Hicks  and  Stranathan. 

■ Y7ith  good  weather,  the  hew  addition  to'  the  Operations  .Office  should  soon 
be  completed, 

• Marshall  Field,  Fort  Riley,  Kansas,  January  13th. 

One  day  last  month  Lieut.  M.C.  Hobinson  took  off  into  the  wind,  at  the 
proper  time  with  altitude  adjustment  closed;  smoothly  flew  training  mission 
about  the  post  without  coming  nearer  than  ten  feet  from  any  Cavalryman’ s head; 
did  not  barrel  roll  or  loop  the  "H";  came  in  without  endangering  other  ships, 

■ making  a three  point  landing;  taxied  up  to  the  line,  ran  the.  gas.  out  and  cut 
both  switches.  In  the  afternoon  he  took  a cross-country-  and  returned  before 
dark. ..  ..one- day..  • 

..  The- holiday’ season1  s fair  weathe'r  now.  rebounds' with  .blasts  of  fury  from 
Lilly  Hells  coldest  side.  '--Zero  weather  is  here,  as  is  always  the  case  when 
pilots  of  the  Squadron  have  ships  to  ferry  fo .Fairfield.-  God  bless  Lieut. 

Pirtle;  GOd  bless  Lieut.;  bright , who.  are  on  their' way  from  Dayton  with  an  "H". 

. "Hone. but  the  brave  deserve  the  air,"  chirps  Lieut.  C.P.  Gilger,  as  he 
takes  off  in  a PT-1  for  Scott.  Field  with  the  thermometer,  at  - two  above.  He 
would  gain  the  title  of  the  Maskless  Marvel  of  Meteorology,  but  when  he  returned 
to  Fort.  Itiley  his  face  "turned  white,  then  black,  then- partly  fell  off.  "Ho  hum, 
•‘what  .price "glory!  Guess  I’ll  wear  a face  mask."  P‘,,0',  might  venture  his  face 
looks  better  now. . 

Like,  every  place  'else,  it  was  foggy  for  two  Weeks  in  December  at  Marshall 
Field. 

Lieut.  Lalph  0.  Lrownfield  announces  he  desires  no  more  x~  country  over 
one  nite  duration.  Leally  it  is  impossible  to  keep  an  American  Air  Corps  home 
successfully  an  intact  - on  a longer  absence. 

During- Christmas  week,  Lieut,  and  Mrs.  Dolan  visited  their  paternal 
domicile  inf  San  Antonio  - "Land  of  perpetual  sunshine."  Laff,  clown,  laff ’. 
Despite  the.. heavy  snow,-  they  had  an  enjoyable. ' .visit,' . 

Jack  FrCst  Hix,  versatile  man  of  many  accomplishments,  local  dramatic  hit, 
cabinet  maker-,  bronze  metal  worker  and 'supply  - officer , is  a dog  fancier  and 
trainer  as'  well.  The  place  will"  soon  be  overrun  with  -police  puppies.  Hix’s 
big  problem  is  keeping  fleas  off  Master.  ?.  Q..  advises  he  pour  some  "jumping 
.-  powder"-  on  dog’s  back  and -then  sprinkle  with  sand,-  fleas,  get  drunk  and  throw 
rocks  at  one  another.  . 

P.O.’s  roommates  all  -buying  diamond  rings , ruining  spirits  of  organiza- 
tion. Getting  so  tight  .they. -won’t'  even  rinse  put  the  shaving  brush  any  more. 

The  Lieutenants  Pirtle  , Donal  and  .the . two  L-rownf  ields  all  seem  pleased 
and  happy'  with. .wedded  life.-.  .Did,  ja  ever  hear,  about  that  .aviator  who  was  so 
••pleased  with -his  wedding  he  could  hardly  waj-t  for  the  next? 

Lieut.  Carl  H.  Olson,  Air  Corps  He s;erve,  from  Galesburg,  111.,  requested 
another  year’s  active  duty.  Hope  he  gets  it . Olie  is  a. .big  influence  for  good 
-on  the  morale-  of  the  younger  pilots  . ' 

I ask  you  which  is  Worse  - freezing  your  face  in  the  air  during  these  days 
or  going  to  squadron  school?  Lut  would  you  dare  tell  any  instructor  that  his 
voice  was  monotonous?  Hot  I;  why  classes  are  just  like  a dream  to  me.  Have  to 
go  to  sleep  to  a-ppreciato  ’em. 

Lieut,  and  Mrs.  Charles  T.  Skow  entertained  several  members  of  the  Air 
Corps'  with  .a  buffet  dinner.  | 

Captain  and  Mrs.  Loss  F.  Cole  entertained,  the  officers  and  ladies  of  the 
Squadron  with  a dinner.  ..;•••  .V.':'-.  1 

Major  and  Mrs.  PobertE.M.  Goolrick .entertained  the  officers  and  ladies  of 
the  squadron  with  a tea  on  Hew  Year’s  Lay. 

-42-  Y-5980,  A.C. 


Lieut,  and  Mrs.  Lloyd- Larne tt  entertained  several  members  of  the  Squadron 
and  Cavalry  School  with  a dinner  on  Sfew  Year' s evev  ' 

The.  Squadron  howling  team  won  the  enlisted  men’ s tournament  of  the  post. 

The  team  consists  of .-Master  Sergeant  Arnold  liudf  (Captain),  Sergeant  Opal 
Henderson,  Privates,  1st  Class,  Joseph  J.  Eberlirig,  Joseph  Colosi,  Olds on  and 
Hayden.  Those  hoys  surely  know  : their.  pins. 

The  officers'  team  did  not  hurl  such  a mean' hall  in  their  first  go-round 
with  the  officers  of  the  2nd  Cavalry  on  January  6th.  Lieut,  Larnett  just  can’t 
whip  his  amateur  material  into  shape. 

The  General  ordered  - that,  such  personnel  stay  on  the  post  during  the  holi- 
days as  was  necessary  to  take  care  of  the  horses.  Out  of  sympathy  the  Air  Corps 
remained  on  duty  too.,  even.tho  we  have  only  a few  horses  at  - Marshall  Field  now. 

Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif.,  January  16th. 

Major  Carl  ' Spat z,  Group  Compander,  is'  the  high  ranking  squash  player  among 
the  Rockwell  Field  officers  at  the  conclusion  of  the  round-robin  tournament 
which  lasted  four  months.  Other  leaders  are  Lieuts.  D.D.  Graves,  J.E.  Mallory 
and  E.C.  Ratten. 

Pound  for  the  annual  Engineering- Supply  Conference  at' Ur ight  Field,  Dayton. 
Ohio,  Major  A.L.  Sneed,  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Rockwell  Air  Depot ; Lieut. 

R.  Laez , Jr. , Chief  Engineer  Officer;  Lieut. "C.P,  Kane,  Depot  Supply  Officer, 
and  Lieut.  E.M.  Robbins,  Station  Supply . Off icet,  left  Rockwell  Field  via  rail 
on  January.- 9th. 

Planning  to  compete  in  another  round-robin  squash  tournament,  scheduled 
to  last  several  weeks,  sixty  officers  have  been  divided  into  four  teams  for  the 
play , with  Major  Spatz , Lieuts.  Graves,  Mallory  and  Patten  as  captains.. 

The  11th  Lombardment  Squadron  was  awarded  a team  trophy  emblematic  of  the 
Rockwell  Field  indoor  baseball  championship.  The  95th  Pursuit  Squadron  and 
Hqrs.  7th  Lombardment  Group  ran  the  winners  a close  race. 

Colonel  H.J.  Drees,  Corps  Area  Inspector,'  9th  Corps  Area,  arrived  at 
Rockwell  Field  January  13th. to  make  the  annual  inspection  and  survey  of ‘the 
field  and-. '.the  Air  Depot. 

Captain  Orlo  H.  Quinn,  formerly  of  March  Field,  stopped  at  Rockwell  Field 
for  a day  or  two  enroute  to  his  new  station  at  San  Antonio,  Texas. 

Captain  ;M. A i.  McFadden,.  Constructing  Quartermaster  at  Rockwell  Field,  was 
relieved  from  further  duty  at  this,  station  arid  assigned  to  Maxwell  Field, 
Montgomery, . Ala, i sailing  from  San  Francisco  February  1st. 

Wright  ^ield,  Dayton, • Ohio , January  16th. 

Mr.  John-  J.-Ide,  foreign  representative  of  the  Rational  Advisory  Committee 
for  Aeronautics,  stationed  at  Paris,  France,  lectured  at  the  Materiel  Division 
in  December  on  European  Progress  in  Aeronautics.  Several  days  were  spent  here 
by  Mr,  Ide  in  consultation  with  the  various'  engineers  on  aircraft  - development 
at  the  field. 

Lieut Ennis  C.  Uhitehead.  with  Captain  A.H.  Thiessen,  in  charge  of  meteoro- 
logical work,  made  a flight  from  bright  Field  to  Pittsburgh  and  Middletown,  Pa., 
for  the  purpose,  of  inspecting  and  advising  upon  proposed  new  meteorological 
stations  to  be  situated  over  the  mountains. 

Captain  Willis  Hale  and  Lieut.  C .35..  Archer  were  visitors  at  the  Materiel 
Division  during .December,  having  flown  in  for  consultation  on  engineering 
matters. 

Dr igadier- General  D.D.  Foulois,  Chief ' of  the  Materiel  Division,  Majors  H.H. 
Arnold,  C.T7.  Howard  and  O.P.  Echols  attended  a meeting  of  the  Aircraft  Procure- 
ment Hoard  in  Washington  the  latter  part  of  December. 

Major  J-.E.  Ficlcel  was  welcomed  back  to  his  desk  December  28th  after  a two 
weeks’  absence  due  to -an  attack  of  influenza.  The  Major  has  completely 
recovered. 

Mfejor  H,  H>  Arnold  made  an.  extended  flight  through  the  west  the  last  of  the 
year  for  the  inspection  of  various  air, depots. 

Lieut.  George. W . Goddard,  formerly  connected  with  the  Aerial  Photographic 
Unit  of  the  Division,  s*pent  several  days  here  during  the  holidays  on  detached 
service. 

Major  E.L,  Hoffman  left  December  31st  for  Lrooks  Field  to  confer  with  offi- 
cers uxDon  -parachutes  in  use  there. 

Among  the  Wright  Field,  force  who- attended  the  Army-Uavy  Conference  for  the 

' -43-  V-5980,  A.C. 


standardization  of  aircraft  part's.. were  Lieut.  F.O.  Carroll-,  'J-.A.  Roche,  R.L. 
Schunaker,  park  M.  Sutton, : J. D..  Johnson,  A.F.  Senart,  Guy  R.-’Marlay. 

..Captain  George  S.  Warren,  formerly  of  Scott  Field-, • arrived  at  Wright  Field 
in:. December  for  duty  and  was  assigned  to.  the  Industrial  War  Plans  Section. 

Lieut.  Janes  G.  Taylor  reported,  for  duty  on  December  9th  and  was  assigned 
to:  the  Airplane  Lranch.  Lieut.  Taylor*  s former  station  was ' Marshall  Field,.  Kans. 

Lieut.  Ennis  C.  Whitehead  left  on  January  6th  for  Self  ridge  .’Field  to  accom- 
pany the  First  Pursuit  Group  as  officer  in  charge  of  supply  and  engineering 
matters  on  their  winter  maneuvers.  He  flew  an  02- H airplane. 

Lieut.  W.W.  White  left  for  Garden  City,  Long  Island,  H.Y. , January  3rd  to 
consult  with  the  Curtiss  Company  concerning  a new  pursuit  plane  being  construct- 
ed for  the  Air  Corps. 

Captain  J.Y.  York,  Jr. , left  for  Washington  January  10th  to  attend  the  War 
Department  Commodity  Meeting  on  the  rubber  supply. 

Captain  Pi chard  .Coupland,  of  the  Ordnance  Department,  formerly  stationed 
at  the  Materiel  Division,  was  a recent  visitor  here.  He  brought  with  him  Major 
J.L.  Hatcher  of  the  Ordnance  Department  who  is  to  be  stationed  here  for  duty 
with  the  Armament  Lranch. 

Luke .':Field,  T.H.,  January  13th. 

.A  training  flight  from  this  station  took  off  at  8:30  a.m. , December  9th, 
for  the  Island  of  Hawaii.  This  flight  carried  the  largest  personnel  of  any 
inter-island  mission  during  1929.  Captain  Raymond  F-.  O’lTeill,  flight • commander, 
was  accompanied  by  the  following  pilots:  Lieuts.  Carl  W.  Pyle,  L.P.  Holcomb  and 
Edgar  T.  Hoyes,  flying  three  LD-5^s;’  Captain  Calvin  E.  Giffin,  Lieuts.  Thomas 
L.  Gilbert  and  Richard  H.  Dean,  piloting  three  amphibian  planes;  Captain  George 
P.  Johnson,  Lieuts.  Angier  H.  Foster  and  Fred  S.  Stocks,  piloting  three  Martin 
Lonbers.  Major  Daehr,  an  artillery  officer;  Lieut.  Kuhn,  Q.M. C.,  and  Lieut. 
Thomp son,  C . A . C . , were  pas senge r s . 

The  Trans-Pacific  Fokkor  left  for  Hilo  the  next  day  on  an  inspection  trip 
of  the  Department  Air  Officer.  Including  the  nine  planes  from  Luke  Field  and 
the  Fokker  from  Wheeler  Field,  the  entire  personnel  totaled  40. 

.Major  Maxwell  Kirby , -Captain  Frank  H,  Pritchard  and  Lieut.  Thomas  M.  Lowe, 
flying  three  amphibian  planes  and  accompanied  by  Lieut,.  R.R.  Gillespie,  Sergeant 
Yoncdnish  and  Sergeant  Stolte,  left  Luke  Field  Dec.  18th  for  the  Island  of 
Kauai,  returning  two  days  later. 

The  USAT  CAMDRAI  and  the  SS  EMPRESS  OF  CA1IADA  were  greeted  with  Aloha 
flights  as  they  entered  Honolulu  harbor  during  December. 

Luke  Field  and  Wheeler  Field  are  expecting  an  increase  in  officers  during 
January  when  the  13  SAT  SOMME  and  CHATEAU  THIERRY  arrive.  . 

The  Luke  Field  Chandelle  met  at  the  Young  Hotel  during  the  month  of 
December  at  which  time  the  Wooden  Trophy  described  in  the  last  issue  of  the 
Hews.  Letter  was  presented  to  the  six  pilots  who  landed  amphibian  planes  on  this 
field  with  the  wheels  up.  Each  pilot  has  an  individual  handle  placed  upon  this 
trophy.  Lieut.-  R.R.  Drown  officiated  as  master  of  ceremonies  .and  those  present 
had  a very  enjoyable  evening. 

Lieut.  George  V.  McPike  was  granted  leave  of  absence  for  30  days,  leaving 
for  the  mainland  on  the  January  transport. 

Lieut.  Mark  D.S.  Ste.enson  left  for  Schofield  Darracks  to  take  the  course 
for  cooks  and  bakers. 

Lieut.  Carl  W.  Pyle  has  been  endorsed  for  the  post  of  Department  of 
'Commerce  Inspector  of  Aeronautics  for  the  Territory  of  Hawaii. 

Lieut.  James  F.J.  Early  returned  to  Luke  Field  for  duty,  having  finished 
the  course  for  cooks  and  bakers  at  Schofield  Darracks. 

Luke  Field  and  Wheeler  Field  will  receive  over  175  recruits  during  the 
month  of  January. 

Lieut.  Roland  Kieburtz , who  is  in  command  of  the  recruit  detachment,  is 
preparing  to  instill  into  these  men  the  true  character  of  a soldier  and  fit 
them  for  further  duty  in  the  Air  Corps. 

' The  above  number  of  recruits  is  the  largest  consignment  of  men  ever  re- 
ceived in  the  Hawaiian  Department  for  the  Air'  Corps. 

Luke  Field  enjoyed  a wonderful  season  in  sports,  bringing  to  the  attention 
of  the  whole  Hawaiian  Department  that  the  Air  Corps  has  athletes  as  well  as 
pilots. 

Our  natators.  captured  the  triangular  swimming  meet  held  in  the  Army  and 
Havy  "Y"  on  the  afternoon  of  December  11th.  The ’Luke  Field  team  won  35  points, 
closely  followed  by  Fort  De  Russy  with  34.  The  Fort  Kamehameha  aggregation 

V-5980,  A.  C. 


took  the  remaining  10  points  as  their  share  and  finished  in  third  ’place. 

Sergeant  Morris  Au.hr ee,  72nd  Bombardment  Squadron,  Luke  Field,  T .H. , won 
the  5-nil e marathon  race  around  Diamond  Head.  This  race  is  an  annual  event,  and 
the  best  civilian  and  service  men  compete  for  the  beautiful  gold  medal  present- 
ed the  winner  each  year.  In  addition  to  the  medal,  a large  trophy  Is  held  with 
the  names  of  the  winners  engraved  thereon.  This  trophy  is  to  go  to  the  nan  who 
wins  first  place  in  the  marathon  for  three  years  in  succession.  Sergeant  Aubree 
is  malting  room  among  his  60  medals  and  9 trophies  for  this  loving  cup.  His  tine 
on  this  tiresome  grind  was  28  minutes,  41-2/5  seconds.  The  official  record  is 
27  minutes  and  40  seconds. 

The  inter- squadron  smokers  held  during  the  month  were  attended  with  keen 
interest,  each  boxing  card  seeming  to  u-pset  the  prearranged,  dope.  In  the  final 
smoker  between  the  squadrons  which  was  held  January  8th,  the  23rd  Bombardment 
Squadron  cane  from  the  third  position  to  first  place.  Asher,  Koss  and  Krug 
won  their  engagements  in  a most  exciting  and  thrilling  way.  Fetzko  of  the  4th 
Observation  Squadron  gave  Koss  a real  fight,  and  four  rounds  had  to  be  fought 
in  order'  to  decide  the  winner.  Asher  had  little  difficulty  in  beating  his  man. 
Moore,  a 72nd  fighter,  let  him  have  all  he  had,  but  retired  without  the  bacon. 
Krug  had  a tough  tine  in  winning  his  fight  over  Criss,  another  4th  Squadron 
man,  and  this  fight  had  to  go  four  rounds  in  order  that  the  three  judges  could 
give  a winning  decision. 

Lieut.  Dulllgan  will  give  the  maulers  a week’s  rest  and  then  the  Luke 
Field  team  will  be  picked  to  represent  us  in  the  Navy  Sector  season  starting 
February  1st. 

The  results  of  the  inter- squadron  season  are  as  follows; 

23rd  Bombardment  Squadron  -----  510  points 
4th  Observation  Squadron  - - - - 490  " 

72nd  Bombardment  Squadron  - - - - 450  11 

65th  Service  Squadron  ------  70  " 

Staff  Section  ----------  000  ” 

The  much  discussed  and  fought  for  Kuntz- Moses  Trophy  will  go  to  the  4th 
Observation  Squadron,  which  organization  won  the  majority  of  points  in  Volley  - 
ball,  Swimming,  Basketball  and  Boxing. 

Spore  of  the  65th  Service  Squadron,  present  holder  of  the  Lightweight 
Championship  of  the  Hawaiian  Department , is  in  -perfect  condition  and  is  anxious 
to  get  his  gloves  on  again  to  defend  this  coveted  title  for  Luke  Field. 

San  Antonio  Air  Depot,  Duncan  Field,  Texas,  January  27th, 

Major  H.  H.  Arnold,  Chief  of  the  Field  Service  Section,  Materiel  Division, 
returning  from  the  West  Coast  to  Wright  Field  in  an  0-32,  stopped  over  for  a 
visit  and  inspection  here  on  Jan.  5th  and  6th,  resuming  his  journey  on  the  6th 
via  Hat  Box  Field,  Muskogee , Oklahoma. 

An  important  item  of  news  was  inadvertently  omitted  from  our  last  contri- 
bution; Lieut,  and  Mrs . Charles  E.  Thomas,  Jr. , of  this  Depot,  are  the  -proud 
parents  of  a bouncing  baby  boy,  Robert  William,  who  arrived  December  27th. 

On  January  8th  the  Depot  received  a visit  from  Captain  Juan  de  la  Torre, 
Flight  Surgeon,  accompanied  by  Sergeant  Campuzano , Cuban  Army,  who  were  inter- 
ested In  viewing  the  operation  of  our  Engineering  Shops. 

Ca-ptain  Christopher  W.  Ford,  A.C.  (DOL) , on  duty  at  Hqrs.  First  Corps 
Area,  Boston,  Mass. , was  a visitor  here  January  9th  to  obtain  and  ferry  back  to 
the  Boston  Airport  a FT-3A  airplane. 

The  annual  Engineering  and  Supply  Conference  of  the  Materiel  Division  at 
Wright  Field,  Jan.  13th  to  17th,  was  attended  hy  the  following  officers  of  this 
Depot;  Major  A.W.  Robins , Commanding  Officer;  Lieut s.  E.V.  Harbeck,  Assistant 
Engineer  Officer;  C.E.  Thomas,  Jr.,  Depot  and  Station  Supply  Officer,  and  L.S. 
Webster,  Asst.  Depot  Supply  Officer,  all  of  whom  report  most  interesting  and 
helpful  sessions  of  the  conference  and  an  en j oyable  visit. 

The  following  airplanes  and  engines  were  overhauled  and  repaired  in  the 
Engineering  Department  of  the  Depot  during  December,  1929; 

Airplanes";  Overhaul  - 10  A-3,  2 02.  1 02- C,  2 02-H,  2 02- K.  1 DH-4M-2P, 

2 DH-4M-2&,  1 Pl-D,  1 Pl-F,  5 PT-3A,  total  27.  Miscellaneous  -Repair;  1 HBS-4, 

1 02,  1 02-H,  1 PT-3A,  total  4. 

Engines ; Major  overhaul  - 19  Curtiss  D-12,  8 Wright  J-5,  total  27.  Minor 
overhaul  - 17  Liberty,  3 Wright  J-6,  total  20. 

,.45-  V-5980,  A.C. 


40th  Division  Aviation,  California  National . Guard: 

The  115th  Observation  Squadron,  based  at  Griffith  Park  Airport,  Los  Angeles, 
Calif.,  is  well  launched  in  its  training  program  for  .the  coming  year.  Recon- 
naissance missions  and  aerial  sketches- are  being  made  daily  by. the  personnel  of 
the  Squadron,  while  the  Sunday  drill  periods  are  being  monopolized  by  the  Opera- 
tions Office  in  a solid  schedule  of  photographic  and  radio  missions..  The  enlist- 
ed personnel  has  been,  polishing  up  on  the  use  of  the  -pistol, , and-.' within-  a week 
or  so  are  to- go  on  the  range.  Deep  mattering  among  the  pilots  indicated  that 
shortly  the  local  tax-payers  are  to  be  favored  with  dividends  in  the  form  of  some 
hot  formations  of  0-2’ s- and  0-17*  s.  • . . k 

Recently  the  Squadron  had  a small  part  in  the  hunt  for  three  high  school 
students ,. lost  in  the  mountains  on  a;  hike  to  Mt.  Wilson,  north  of  Pasadena.  One 
ship -and  pilot  were  on  duty  for  two  days,  and  although  the  hikers  were  not. 
located  from  the  air,  they  were  found  safe  but  suffering  from  exposure  by  a 
ground  searching  party. 

The  flying  equipment,  all  in  good  shane  and  on  the  line,  now  consists  of 
2 BT-l’s,  3 0-17’ s,  1 0-2C,  2 0-2H’s  and  1~02-K.' 

We  have  recently  had  assigned  to  us  a brand  new.  Flight  Surgeon  - Captain 
Elmer  E.  Langley  . Captain  Langley  was  formerly  with. the  Washington  .Rational 
Guard  Aviation  but  couldn’t  resist  the  call  of  Southern  California,. 

Effective  January  18th,-  1st  Lieut.  George  Sherwood  was  promoted  to  the 
grade  of - Captain,  A.-C. , California  National  Guard,  .vice  Captain  Ha,rry  Claiborne, 
transferred  to  the  Reserve.  Captain  Sherwood  is  in  command  of  the  115th  Obser- 
vation Squadron  during,  the  temporary  absence  of  Major  Jeffers, ..who  'is  in  the 
east  on  leave. 

The  following-named  officers  recently  joined  the  Squadron: ' 

2nd  Lieut.  Cyril  Chappellet,  graduated  October,  1929,  from  the  Brooks  - 
Kelly  course. 

2nd  Lieut.  Clifford  R.  Gard,  from  1st  Lieut.,  Air  Reserve. 

2nd  Lieut . • Harry  E„-  Gillmore,  from  March  Field,  Class  of.  March,  1928. 

2nd;  Lieut.  -Walter;  C.  Maxey,  from  Brooks  Field,  graduated  1925.  . 

The  official  strength  of  the  Squadron  is -now  16,  including  our  medico. 

Pardon  our  gloat,  but  a little  undercover  work  has  resulted  in  the. attend- 
ance record  of  the  Squadron  going  into  the,  list  of  "Honor  Companies"  of  the 
40th  Division.-  . We.  have  been  working  toward  this  result,  for  some  time , and 
espnit  de  corps  did  the  work.  We  intend  to  keep  up  the  record,  and  our  atten- 
dance record  will  stny-up  with  the  cooperation  shown  , thus  far. 


-46-  ' 


V-5980,  A.  C. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 
— -cOo 

Page 

Non-Step  Miami  - Panama  Flight  47-48 

Aerial  Photographic  Mission  for  Smithsonian  Institute 48 

Kelly  Field  Breads;  Flying  Time  Record  in  1929.  48 

Army  Airmen  Eelp  Feathered  Friends 48 

Graduation  Exorcises  for  Brocks  Field  Students  49 

Could  Not  Find  Market  on  His  Map 49 

Air  Corps  Training  Center  Wins  Polo  Titlo 49-50 

Lieut.  James  H.  Doolittlo  Bids  Adieu  to  the  Air  Corps 50-52 

Italian  Flyers  Have  Rigid  Discipline  ...»  52-53 

Captain  Reynolds  Loses  his  Life  in  Automobile  Accident  ......  53 

•More  About  the  Mid-Winter  Flight  of  the  First  Pursuit  Group.  ...  54-55 

The  New  Class  at  the  Primary  Flying  Schools 56-57 

Air  Corps  Information.  57 

Reserve  Officers  Ordered  to  Foreign  Service , 58 

A "Talkie"  Theatro  at  Langley  Field . 58 

Notice  to  Pilots 58 

Yoke  of  Oxen  Haul  an  Airplane 58 

Russian  Aviation  Mission  Visits  Kelly  Field 59 

A Boost  for-  the  First  Pursuit  Group.  59 

A New  Wrinkle  in  Mounting  Maps 59 

Army  Airmen  Search  for  Lost  Air  Mail  Pilot  60 

Army  Airmen  in  Philippines  perform  Well  in  Athletics 60 

Langley  Field  to  Have  Radio  Beacon . 60 

Training  for  Light er-than-air  Officers  60 

Indiana  National  Guard  Airmen  Combat  Flood  . 61-62 

War  Department  Orders  Affecting  Air  Corps  Officers  62-  64 

Lieut . Cover  Resigns  from  the  Service 64 

Lieut.  Will  W.  White  Goes  Back  to  Civil  Life 64-  65 

Three  Safe  Forced  Landings  in  Two  Days 65 

Notes  from  Air  Corps  Fields 65 


V-59S0,A.C. 


VOL.  XIV 

AIR  CORPS  N 

E W S 

NO.  3 

Information  Division 
. Air  Corps 

.March  5,-.  1930 

1-Ami t ions  Building 
Washington,  D.C. 

The  chief  purpose 

of  this  publication  is  to 

distribute 

information  on 

aeronautics  to  the  flying  personnel  in  the  Regular  Army,  Reserve  Corps,  National 
Guard,  and  others  connected  with  aviation. 

— — 0O0 

NON-STOP  MIAMI  - PANAMA  PLIGHT 

Three  officers  and  one  noncommissioned  officer  of  the  Air  Corps  took  off 
at  6:10  a.m. , February  20th,  on  a non-stop  flight  from  Miami,  Florida,  to  Panama, 
and  reached  their  destination  at  5:35  p.m. , thus  covering  the  distance  of  1200 
miles  in  11  hours  and  25  minutes.  The  route  followed  was  practically  all  over 
water  and  the  greater  part  of  it  along  one  Meridian. 

A number  of  flights  have  previously  been  made  between  the  United  States  and 
Panama,  but  this  is  the  first  non-stop  flight  by  the  Air  Corps  along  this  route. 
The  flight  was  in  no  sense  intended  as  a stunt,  but  was  made  for  the  purpose  of 
delivering  a plane  from  the  United 'States  to  France  Field  on  the  Canal  Zone  with- 
out effecting  a landing  on  foreign  soil;  to  eliminate  Steamship  charges;  to  con- 
tinue the  training  of  a group  of  Air  Corps  pilots  in  long  distance  navigation 
and  to  test  equipment  under  the  hard  service  involved  in  a trip  of  this  nature. 

The  senior  officer  on  the  flight  was  Major  Jacob  S'.  Fickel,  at  the  present 
time  Executive  Officer  of  the  Materiel  Division  at  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio, 
where  the  engineering  activities  of  the  Air  Corps  are  carried  on. 

Stationed  at  the  controls  were  two  veterans  of  a number  of  thrilling  flight 
experiences,  Lieut s.  Albert  F.  Hegenberger-  and  Ennis  C.  ‘Whitehead.  Lieut. 
Hegenberger  is  considered  one  of  the  best  aerial  navigators  in  the  Air  Corps  and 
was  first  brought  to "wide /public  attention. by  his  participation  in  the  non-stop 
California  - Hawaii  flight- in  the..  Spring  of  1927,  upon  which  he  served  as  naviga- 
tor, the  -pilot  at;  that-  •time  -being  Lieut.  LesberJ..  Maitland.  Lieut.  Whitehead  was 
co-pilot  with  Maj or  Herbert  A.  Dargue  on- the  flight  of  amphibian  airplanes  around 
South  America  several  years  ago.  -. 

The  80th  Meridian  was  followed  southward  during  the  flight.  Observations  on 
the  sun  and  the  utilization  of  compasses  and  radio  communication  served  to  guide 
the  airmen  on  to  their  destination. 

Radio  communication,  an  important  feature  of  the  flight,  wa,s  handled  by 
Sergeant.  Wilson,  who  not  long  ago  had  under  his.  charge  the  wireless  communications 
during  the  course  of  the  Mid-Winter  Flight  of  the  First  Pursuit  Group : through  the 
Northwest. 

Having  ferried  this  airplane  to  its  destination,  the  airmen  intend  to  ferry 
another  Transport  plane  back  to  the  United  States  where  it  will  undergo  an  overhaul 
which  is  due  it. 

The  Ford  Transport  in  which  the  flight,  was  made  is  powered  with  three  Wright 
J-6  air-cooied  radial  motors  of  300  horsepower  each. . It  can  fly  with  all  safety 
on  two  of  its  motors  should  one  prove  bailey.  Certain  slight  changes  were  made  in 
the  airplane  before  the  flight.  The.  standard  30.0-gallon  gasoline  capacity  of 
the  Transport  was  increased  by  the  installation  of  four . 110- gall on  tanks  in  the 
cabin,  making  a total  fuel r capacity  cf  740 ■ gallons. 

In  the  matter  of  navigating  instruments  there  was  installed  in  the  plane  a 
Sperry  artificial  horizon,  in  addition  to  .the  standard  instrument  equipped  for 
blind  flying.  Three  magnetic  -compasses  were  also  installed  as  well  as  an  earth 
inductor  conpass,  and' a drift- indicator  for  direction  of  drift.  A bubble  sextant 
was  also  one  of  the  navigating  instruments  taken  along  for  employment  at  regular 
intervals,,  as  well  as  smoke  bombs,  handy  to  be  dropped  on  the  water  - from  time  to 
time  to  check  with  the  drift  indicator  the  wind  direction  and  the  amount  of  drift 
of  the  plane  off  the  course  due  to  side  winds. 

A short  wave  radio  set  of  the  type  used  by  the  Pan  American  Airways  was  re- 
lied upon  to. receive  information  from  their  stations,  those  of  the  United  Fruit 
Company5 s Tropical  Radio  and  the  Government  stations  in  the  Panama  Canal  Zone. 

No  radio  beacon  was  available  to  the  Army  airmen  on  this  flight,  for  this  valuable 
navigation  medium  has  not  yet  been  constructed  in  the  Canal  Zone. 

Captain  A. H.  The is sen  of  the  Signal • Corps  and  Lieut,  Russell  J.  Minty,  of 
tne  Air  Corps,  both  stationed  eub  Wright  Field,  who  made  a cross-country  flight  to 
Florida,  made  a study  of  meteorological  conditions  prior  to  the  take-off  of  the 

. ..  -47-  • ' ’ V-5990,  A.  C . 


transport.  Of  unusual  interest  is  the  emergency  equipment- ■which  the  transport 
plane  carried,  among  which  was  a standard  collapsible  life  raft  .e quipped  with 
pumps  and  emergency  supplies,  and  a small  12- volt  battery  radio  set  for  use  in 
an  emergency . 

The  .successful  outcome  of  the  flight  will  no  doubt  bring  to  a nearer  reali- 
zation the  dream  of  “Express  Service  to  Panama. " The  Army  Air  Corps  simply  took 
a logical  step  in  its  efforts  to  take  proper  care  of  its  outlying  garrisons. 

A telegram  received  from  ifeijor  Picked  just  prior  to  the  take-off  stated  that 
at  that  time  a light  breeze  was  blowing-  East  North  East;  that  the  ceiling  was 
partly  overcast,  the  visibility  about  ten  miles  and  that  predicted  weather  con- 
ditions along  the  route  were  a partly  overcast  ceiling  to  Colon  with  favorable 
winds.  

On  the  day  of  the  flight  two  messages  were  received  from  the  Communications 
Department  of- the  Pan-American  Airways-;  the  first  ono,  marked  10:30  a.m„ , stated 
that  the  Transport  C-9  was  sighted  when  100  miles  south  of  Trinidad,  Cuba,  at 
10:00  a.m.  The  second  message , 1:22  p.m. , stated  that  the  plane  passed 
Serranilla  Dank  at  12:45  p.m. 

The  official  report  on  this  flight  is  awaited  with  interest. 

-■ — oOo— 

AERIAL  PHOTOGRAPHIC  MISSION  POR.  SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTE 

Lieut.  Edwin  B.  Bobzien  and. Technical  Sergeant  Stockweil,  of  the  15th 
Photo  Section,  stationed  at  Crissy  Pield,  Presidio  of  San  Prancisco,  Calif., 
recently  returned  from  a very  interesting  photographic  mission  in  Arizona. 

Talcing  off  from  Crissy  Pield  on  January  21st,  the  Amy  airmen' arrived  at 
Phoenix,  Arizona,  on  the  23rd.  During  six  days  of  flying  they  took '350  oblique 
pictures  and  mapped  an  area  of  400  square  miles  with  vertical  shots. 

All  mosaic  and  other  laboratory  work  will 'be  done  by  the  15th  Photo  Section 
at  Crissy  Field.  This  work  is  being  done  fop  the  Smithsonian  Institute  under 
the  direction  of  Mr.  Noil  M.  Judd,  Curator  of  Archaeology.  The  mission  -was 
undertaken  'for.  the  purpose  of  making  a close  - study  of ' the  ruined  prehistoric  " 
cities  and  canals  which  were  constructed  from  800  to  1,000  years  ago. 

'The  largest  of  these  ancient  cities  covers  about  an  acre  of  ground  and  the 
houses  approximate  the  size  of  a modern  five-room  bungalow,  with  here  and  -there 
a two-story  structure.  The  canals  are  especially  interesting.  There  are  about 
240  miles  of  them  in  all,  varying  from  25  to  60  feet  in  width  and  8 to- 12  feet 
.in  .depth.  • They  were  so  well  laid  out  that  our  modern  engineers  find  fey  changes 
necessary  to  make  them  useful  today. 

oOo - • ' . . 


KELLI  FIELD.  BREAKS  PLYING  TIME  RECORD  IN,  182.9- 


In  1929,  a year  of  many  flight  records,  including  the  -quest  for  non-stop  re- 
fueling honors,  Kelly  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  completed  what  Is,  believed  to 
be  the  largest  aggregate,  of  flying  time  amassed  by  any  Army  field  since  the  close 
of  the  World  War. 

Records  of  the  Field  reveal  that  the  record-breaking  total  of  48 , 448  hours 
and  20  minutes  of  aircraft  flying  time  was-  credited  to  permanent  and  student 
pilots  on  duty  at  the  Air, Corps  Advanced  Plying  School.  Wore. a single  ship  to 
start  out  on  a non-stop  flight  to  equal  the  Kelly  Field  flying  time  for  the  year, 
it  would  take  such  a ship  almost  six  years  of  continuous-  flying  to-  reach  the- 
mark.  With' six  airplanes  flying  every,  minute' of  the . day  and  night , it  would 
require  almost  a year  to  establish  such  a record. 

: Figured  in  mileage',  Kelly  Field  aircraft . traveled  about  4,844,700  miles 
during  1929.,-  the  equivalent  of  nearly  200  trips  around  the  world.  ■ 

— -oOo— 

ARMY  A.IRMEN  HELP  FEATHERED,'. FRIENDS 

-According  to  a report  recently  received' by  the  Chief  of  the  Adf  Corps,  Army 
Air  Corps  pilots  stationed. at  Post  Field,  Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma*  flew  several  mis- 
sions, at  the  request  of  game  preservation  [authorities,-  during -which  grain  was 
scattered  -on  snow-covered  fields,  where  game  birds- were  congregating.  The- heavy 
snowfall  during  January  prevented  the  birds kf pom  getting  at  their  natural  feed 
on  the  ground. 

-48- 


7-5990,  A. C. 


GRADUATIOH  ESIEROIS.'.jS  FOR  BROOKS  FIELD.  SHEETS 


Graduation  exercises,  for,  the"51  students  who  successfully  completed  the 
course  at  the  Primary  Plying  School  at  Brooks  Field,  San  Antonio,.  Texas,  will 
"be  held  on  February  28th.  Beginning  at  9:t)0  a.m. , all  the  students  will  parti- 
cipate in. an  aerial  review,  followed  by  the.  presentation  of  diplomas  in  the 
Ground  School  building  by  Brigadier- General , Frank  P'.  lahm,  Commanding  General  of 
the  'Air-  Corps  Training  Center,  and’ Major  S.lf.  FitzGerald,  Commandant  of  Brooks 
Field.  . 

' Ambng'  the  51  graduates;  are  16  officers,  of  the  Regular'  Army,  one  officer 
of  the  Republic,  of  Colombia,.  South  America.,'  a Staff  Sergeant  ,of  the  Air  Corps 


training,  in  his:  grade  and  So  Flying 
• ' 2nd'  lieutenants 
James  E.  Briggs,  Field  Artillery 
James  K.  DeArmond,  .Signal  Corps 
Robert  L.  Easton,  Field  Artillery 
David  P,  Daubach,  Corps  of . Engineers 
Richard  P.'  0* Keefe,  Field  Artillery 
William  IV  Ritchie,  Field  Artillery 
William  C.  Sams,  Infantry 
Delma  F.  Spivey,  Infantry 
Fred  C.  Stritzinger,  Field  Artillery 
Fred  0.  Tally,  Infantry 
Otto  Wienecke,  Air  Corps,  L/A 
Edward  H.  White,  Air  Corps,  l/A 
Fay  0.  Dice,  Air  Corps, 

John  F.  Egan,  Air  Corps. 

John  W.  Persons,  Air  Corps. 

Murray  C.  Woodbury,  Air  Corps. 


Cadets.  .They  are'  listed  below,  as  follows: 
'Flying  Cadets 
Marshall  H.  Fay 
j.  E.  jGras-ty  ■ -r 
James  H.‘  Going 

Phillip  Wv  Bafch 

William'  E.  Shuttles, 

James  H.  Smart'  ' "' / .'' 

Frank  L.  Smith  1 
Ashby  H.  .Toulmin'  . .. 

Reginald  L.  Heedham 
Herbert  A.  Orr 
01'of  P.  Pierson 
Harvey  W.  Regan 
Curtis  E,  Smith  . . 

Winston  W.  Kratz 
Roberb  S«.  Riley 
.George  E.  Rpdieck  ' 

Lloyd  L.  Sailor 


Liout.  Henrique  Santa  Maria,  Colombia 
Flying  Cadets 
Joe  S.  Anderson 
Paul  S.  Baker 
Eugene  D.  Blakeney 
Fradk  P.  Bo strom 
•Edgar  " G . Carlisle- 


John  Ec  Sahdow  . .....  ... 
William  H.  Sherwood  " 
William  H.^ykes 
Thomas  .L«.  'Taylor  . ' . 

'Benjamin  E."  Tilton,  Jr. 
Paul  Waterman 
Clift'on  D.  Wright 


Willis  G.  Carter 

William  B. ' Clements  Staff  Sgt..  Maurice.  Beach,  Air  Corps. 

Harold  W.  Fairchild  ' 

The  above-named  .students  are  slated  for  a strenuous  four  months1  course 
at  the  Advanced 'Flying  School  .at  Kelly  Field,..  San  Antonio  , Texas.' 

- — oOo — — 


COULD  HOT  FIND  . MARKET  OH  HIS  MAP.  . 


.A  'Cadet  was  making  his  first  cross-country  flight  and  was  bewildered  and, : 
hopelessly  lost.:  Spotting  a hamlet  of  no  great  size,  he  decided  to  fly  down  and 
"shoot  the  town."  A small  sign  was' all  that  was  visible  on  what  appeared  to  be 
the  only  store,  station  and  Post  Office.  Climbing  to  2,000'  feot,  he. studied  his 
map  but  could  find  no  trace  of  any  place  called  "Market,  Texas."  Down  he  went 
again.  Ho  mistake,  there  it  was  - "Market."  Still  the  map. was  useless.  Once, 
more  he  flew  dpwn  low,  but  he  was  lost  as  before,  for  above  the  word.  "Market"  was 
a smaller  one  - "Meat." 

oOo 


' AIR  CORPS  TRAINING  CENTER  WIHS  POLO  TITLE;  ' 

Battling  into  an  oxtra  period,  the  Air  Corps  Training. Center  Polo  Team 'came 
through  with  flying  colors  by  overhauling  a.' four-goal  handicap  in  defeating  the 
Rainbows  of  San'  Angelo  in  the  final  match  for  the  low.  goal  championship  of  the 
seventh  annual  midwinter  polo  tournament  on  Braokenridge  Park  Field  on  February 
‘16th.'  The  score  was  11  to  10. 

A crowd  of "about  4,000  enthusiastic  spectators. watched  the  game  with  in- 
tense interest  from  the  first  threw- in  until  the  deciding  goal  was  scored  by 
Lieut.  Connell  in  the  ninth  chuLtker.  The  Air  Corps  had"  a hard  fight  to  overcome 

' -49- ' V-5990,  A. C. 


the  handicap,,  and  not  until  the  eighth ' chubker , Then  Lieut . Connell  scored  two 
goals,  did  the  Aviators  ;oul'l  up  on  even  terns.  . . 

This  was  the  sixth  straight  victory  for  the  Air  Corps,  dating 'hack  to 
January  4th,,  when  it  'Won  the ' December  tournament  and  the  second  "title1  it  won 
since.  This  was  also  the  third  match  the  Air  Corps  had  won  in  an  extra  period, 
being  forced  to  the  ninth  chunker  .to  defeat  the  Artillery  on  February  6th,'  and., 
going  nine  chukkers  to  defeat  the  Infantry  for  the  December  championship, . the 
scores  in  both  of  these  .games,  being  8 to  7.  . '- 

The  entire  grandstand  .crowded -around  the  trophy-  table  to  witness  the  pre- 
sentation by  Major-General  William  Lassiter  of  the  trophy  to  the  winning  team 
and  the  individual  cups  to  the  players  of  the  vanning-  team.  All  players  of  the 
four  teams  reaching  the  semi-finals  were  also  presented  with  individual  cups. 

oOo 


LIEUT.  JAMES  H.  DOOLITTLE  BIDS  ADIEU  TO  THE  AIR  COUPS 


Genuine  regret  prevails  in  the  Air  Corps  over  the  announcement  in -Special 
Orders  of  the  War  Department  of  the  resignation  of  1st  Lieut..  James  H.’Dooli'ttle 
of  the  Army  Air  Corps , who  is  known  far  and  wide  as  one  of  its  most  skillful., 
daring  and  resourceful  pilots.  Modest,  quiet,  unassuming,  with  a name- -Which 
belies  his  deeds,  Lieut.'  Doolittle  has  so  endeared  himself  to  his  comrades  in 
the  service  that  his  departure  from  their  midst  has  produced  a wave  of  •inward 
protest  in  their  hearts  and  a feeling  that  a sudden  void  has  been  created  in 
their  branch  of  the  service .which  it  will  be  difficult,  if  not  impossible, 
to  fill.  • 

Lieut.  Doolittle’s  career  in  the  Army  Air  Corps  has  been  colorful  in  the 
extreme.  His  skill  as  an  aviator  is  known  in  aeronautic  circles  the  world  over, 
but  among  his  brother  officers  and  acquaintances- he  . is  known  among  other  things 
for  his  additional  attributes  as  a brilliant  aeronautical  engineer,  a fine  offi- 
cer and  a thorough  gentleman. 

One  of  California’s  native  sons,  Lieutc  Doolittle  was  born  at  Alameda, 
Calif.,  on  December  14,  1896.  He  completed  three  years  at  the  University  Of 
California  in  the  College  of  Mining.  Before  entering  the  military  service,  he 
was  engaged  in  mining .engineering.  On  November  10,  1917,  he  was  assigned  to  'the 
School  of  Military  Aeronautics,  Berkeley,  Calif.,  for  his  ground  school  train- 
ing and,  upon  completion  of  same,  was  sent  to  Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif., 
t©  undergo  his  flying  training. 

Camp  Dick,  Dallas , Texas , was  the  station  to  which  he  was  assigned  to  duty 
upon  qualifying  on  March  9,  1918,  as  a Reserve  Military  Aviator  and  receiving 
his  commission. as  a 2nd  Lieutenant.  From  Gamp  Dick  he  went  to  Love  Field, 
Dallas,  Texas,  where  he  began  to  instruct  others  how  to  fly.  In  June,  1918,  he 
was  ordered  to  duty  as  a student  at  the  Armorers'  School  at  Wilbur  Wright  Field, 
Dayton,  Ohio,  and,  upon  completion  of  this  -course,  served  for  a brief  period  of 
time  at  Gerstner  Field,  Lake  Charles,  La.,  returning  :to  Rockwell : Field  to  re- 
ceive training  at  the  Pursuit  Aerial  ^imiery  School, 

Still  bent  on  -.learning 'all  he  could  about  the  aviation  game,  Lieut. 
Doolittle  was  a student  for  over  a yeah,  at  the  Mechanic's  School  at  Kelly  Field, 
Texas,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  October,  1920.  Two  years,  later 
he  was  assigned  to  duty  as  a student  at  the  Air  Corps  Engineering.  School  at 
McCook  Field,  Dayton;,  Ohio',  graduating  in  August,  1923.  He-'  followed  up  His • 
studies  with  a two-year  post  graduate  course'  in'  aeronautical  engineering  at  the 
Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology,  Cambridge,  Mass. , and  received  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Science.  In  1925  he  returned  to  the  Engineering  Division 


at  Dayton  and  remained  there  until  his  transfer  to-Mjftcliel  Field,  N.Y.,  his  last 
assignment  in  the  military  service*-."-;;:  h'  - 

The  first  of  the  many  outstanding  flying  achievements  to  Lieut.  Doolittle's 


credit  was  his  flight  across  the  American  continent,  , -which  feat  "he  accomplished 
on  September  5,  1922.  Taking  off  from  Jacksonville , Fla..,  at  8:20  a.m. , he  set 
the  wheels  of  his  plane  down  at '.'Rockwell  Field,  ' Spn  Diego., ' Calif . , 22 .hours  and 
35  minutes  later.  His ' one  intermediate  ..stop  was  at  Kelly  Field,  San  Antonio', 
Texas,  where  his  plane  - .was  '-refueled,,  An  hour  and  .a.  quarter  later  he  was  oh  his,.  .. 
way  again.  His'  actual  flying  time  for  the  mans  con.  insutal  journey,  was  -21  ••  hours' 
and  20  minutes,  and  he  achieved, .'the  distinction  of  being  the  -first'  aviator  to 
cross  the  American : continent  within  an  elapsed  time  of.-. 34  hours.  Seven  years 
later  this  feat  woh,. him  the  award  of  the  Distinguished  Flying  Cross,  with  the 
addition  of  an  Oak-  Leaf  dust  or  for  his  many  achievements  in  test  flying. 

-50-  V-5990,  A. C. 


In  the  science  of  aeronautics- , the  loads'  -Imposed-. upon..  an  airplane  structure 
in  flight  and.  .during  acrobatic  maneuYers/hhd  ;gOneraJJ.jr  peon,  assumed,'  no  one 
having  gone  beyond  a certain  conservative  point v' in  actually  determining  the  dy- 
namic loads  in  practical  test.  At . the /''time' 'lie  ’•condiic ted.,  this  flight  . research 
work, 'Lieut.  Doolittle  was  Chief  of  .the..  Flight  Ke  sear  eh  .Branch'  of  the --Plight 
Section,  Engineering  Division, . McCook  .'.field,  Dayton,  . Ohio.  He  equipped  ; his 
plane  with -a  devico.  laipwn  as.  an  acceleroineter.,  which  graphically  registers:  the 
dynamic-  load  imposed,  upon  -'an:.'  airplane  during  flight.  He  then  flew  this  airplane 
' through  .maneuvers.  :of  • tW-most  violent  nature  that  have  ever  , been  performed. 
Triple  and  quadruple  rolls,’  spins , loops’ and  inverted  flight  were  carried  out 
to  such - an  extent  by  him :' that  he  was  enabled  to  make- calculations  based  upon 
actual  performance  rather ■ than. on  mere  assumption.  .It  was  during  the  ^course  of 
■this  test  flying  that  he  conceive d. and  later- performed  the' outside  loop,,  a . 
maneuver-  .which  had  never  before ; been  .performed  successfully.  After  reaching 
test  conditions  which  no-  one -had .ever  .registered 'before,  he  was  finally  ordered 
to  make  further  calculations  on  the.  flights  which  he  had  already  made  and  not 
carry  on  his  flight 1 testing  • to  .the.  extent- he- had  originally  planned,  it  being 
feared  that  his  ambition  might  carry' him- to  such  a point  that  he  would  be  in 
grave  peril  of  losing  his  life.  . 

Lieut.  Doolittle  made  no  pretentions  regarding  any- particular  ability  along 
the  line  of  piloting  seacraft, / being  what  seamen  term  a "land  lubber."  His 
shortcomings,  if  any,  in  this  respect  proved  iio.Vde torrent  influence,  however, 
for  he  won  .the  Schneider  Trophy  Race. for  seaplanes  held  in  the  Fall  of  1925  at 
Baltimore-,  Md.  Hot  content  with  .having-  established  for  seaplanes  a world’s 
record  for  high  speed  of  232  miles  per.  hour  over  a .'.-.closed  circuit,  he  set  out 
the  following  day  to  determine  what  . he  could  accomplish  over  a 3-kilometer 
straightaway  course,  and  astonished,  the -wo rid-  by.-  chalking  up  a record  of  245.71 
miles  per  hour,  then  considered  a remarliable' achievement.  m 

As  a result  of  his  victory  in  the  Schneider  Trophy  Race,  he  shared  with 
the  late  Lieut.  Cyrus  Bettis  (who  WQ.n  the  Pulitzer  Trophy  Race  at'  Mitchel  Field 
a week  previously)  the  award  of  the  Clarence  H.  lylackay  Trophy  for  the  year  1925, 

Several  years  ago,  while  on  leave'  of  absence  from  his  military  duties, 
Lieut.  J)o°little  toured  South-America  and  demonstrated  in  Peru,  Bolivia,  Chile, 
Argentina,  Brazil,  Uruguay  and  Paraguay  the'  Observation  and  Pursuit  types  of 
planes  used  by  the  Air  Corps.  One  of  his  interesting  flying  experiences  in 
South  America  was  his  attempt  to  take  off  with  a P-1  Pursuit  plane,  equipped 
With  pontoons,  from  Lake  Titicaca  in  Bolivia.  The  altitude  of  the  lake, 12, 700 
feet,  was  too  great,  however,  and  it  was  impossible  to  get  the  plane. to  leave 
the'  surface  of  the  water,  in  that.,  thin  atmosphere.  Although  on  several  occasions 
the'  plane  was  rocked  off,  it  immediately  settled  to  the  surface  again.  After 
taxying  up  and 'down  the  lake  for  about  an  hour  and  a half,  at  times  going  a 
distance  of  twenty  miles  from  the  shore,  in  his. attempt  to  obtain  better  wind 
and  wave  conditions,  the ' -pontoon strut  fittings  pulled  out,  necessitating  the 
abandonment  of  further  attempts. 

..The  longest  flight  Lieut.  Doolittle  made  in  South  America  was  between 
Asuncion,  Paraguay,  and  Rio  de .Janeiro,  Brazil,  a distance  of  960  miles.  This 

non-stop  - flight  was  made  in  7 hours  and  10  minutes  and  marked  the'  first  time 

that  section  of  the  country -was  ever  crossed  by  air.  As  a matter  of  fact,  an 
air  journey  was  the  only  means  possible  of  crossing  it,  since  that  part  of  the 

great  South  American  jungle  is  absolutely  impenetrable.,  on  the  ground.  Ho  sign 

of  human  habitation  or  of  wild  3,ife  other  than  great  flocks  of  brilliant  green 
parrots  were  seen  until,  he  approached1 the  cultivated  parts  of  the  country  along 
the  coast. 

Lieut . Doolittle  is  a full-fledged  member  of  the  Caterpillar  : Club,  joining 
•that  mythical  organization  September  1,:  1929,.  during  the  Rational  Air  Races  at 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  when  structural  failure  of  his  plane  during  preliminary  acro- 
batic tests  forced  him  to  resort  to  the  parachute  to  save  his  life.  He  had  on 
several,  pre-vi ous  occasions  avoided  joining  the  Club  by  the  narrowest  of  margins, 
and  when-  a ; newspaper  correspondent  - who  by  mere  accident  happened  to  be  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  his  jump  « reached  his  side  immediately  after  the  para- 
chute had  landed  him  safely  on  terra  firma,  he  remarked,  in  answer  to  a flood 
of  questions  directed  to  him:  "I  am  glad  it  happened.  I have  always  wanted  to 
be  forced  to  jump. " I have  almost .had  to  go  over  the  side  several  times,  but 
this  time  .there  wasn’  t any  .other  choice,  " I had  tov" 

Hot  the  least- bit.  fazed  by  his ' narrow- escape  from  the  clutches  of  the  Grim 
Reaper,  Lieut.  Doolittle  crumpled 'the  parachute  under  his  arm1,  made  his  way  to 

-51-  V-5990,  A.C. 


the  O])el,atiop,s  Office,  -walked  in  and,  anp.onnce.di  11  Gentlemen,  I .guess  I'll  have 
to  "borrow 'another"  plane ; ” 'This  was  the " first  'intimtion'  received  of  his  para- 
chute jump.  5iie' plaiie  was  given  him  at  6noe  and  half  an  hour  later  he  thrilled 
the  immense  throng  .attending  the  Air  Races  with  as  "brilliant  a demonstration 
of  flying  and  acrobatics  as  had  ever  "been  witnessed." 

Air  Corps  officers  have  said  of  Lieut.  Doolittle  that  there  is  no  airplane 
in  existence  which  he  'cannot  fly,  and  this  is  about'  the  best  kind  of  praise 
.which  can  be  given  regarding  his  'piloting  ability * 

Daring  the  time  he  was  stationed  at  Mitchel  Field,  N.Y.,  Lieut.  Doolittle 
conducted  fog-flying  experiments  s-ponsored  by  the  Daniel  Gaggenheim  Fund  for 
the  Promotion  of  Aeronautics.  On  September  24,  1929,  under  conditions  repre- 
senting the  densest  fog,  reaching  from  any  altitude  to;  the  ground,  he  was  able 
to  take  off  from  the  airport , fly  from  it  and.  return  to  a given  spot  and  make 
a landing.  The  cockpit  in  which  he  sat  was  entirely  covered  and  totally  ob- 
scured his.  vision.  This  demonstration  represented  the  successful  consummation 
of  experiments  conducted  for  nearly  a year  over  the  full- flight  laboratory 
established  by  the  Guggenheim  Fund  at  Mitchel  Field,.  , 

The  Air  Corps  extends  its  warmest  wishes  to  Lieut.  Doolittle  for  his 
success  in  civil  life.  ' 

oOo 

ITALIAN  FLIERS  HAVE  RIGID  DISCIPLINE 

Rigid  military  discipline  combined  with  an  educational  curriculum  stretch- 
ing over  a -period  of  three  years  constitutes  the  training  which  students  re- 
ceive at  the  Royal  Academy  of  Aviation  of  Italy.  This  institution  was  created 
Nov.  5,  1923,  by  the  decree  of  the  Commissioner  of  Aviation  and  is  loca/ted  at 
Caserta,  thirty-two  miles  northeast  of  Naples. 

In  its  brief  existence  the,  academy  has  had  920  applicants  for  the  regular 
course.  Of  this  number  only  470  .passed  the  severe  medical  test,  while  not  more  ; 
285  were  admitted.  Already  144  of  these  graduates  are  officers  arid  100  are  in 
departmental  service.  Ten  of  these  s tridents , however,  were  obliged  to  repeat 
their  courses. 

At  the  beginning,  toward  the  middle  and  at  the  end'  of  their  course  these 
students  enjoy  vacations  varying  .between  twelve  and  twenty  days.  The  practical 
training  which  the  academy  gives,'  partly  in  the  winter  period,  and,  more  inten- 
sively, in  the  summer  season  during  the  three-year  course,  includes:  military 
exercises,  gymnastics,  training  in  seamanship/  cycling,  autoing,  motorcycling,  . 
horseback  riding,  signaling,  office  .routine/  wireless  transmission;  pistol,  gun 
and "machine  gun  firing,  airplane  piloting,  all  kinds; of  sports , land  army  prac- 
tice, "flying,  naval  cruising,  submarine  and  torpedo  practice,  airplane  and 
hydroplane  observation  flying  and  aerostatic  and  dirigible  principles  and 
flying.  , ' ' .'  ; 7'  ' 7 

Every  year  an  instruction  trip  is  organized  to  enable  the  students,  under 
the  guidance  of  .their  training  officers,  ,. to 'visit  the  important  industrial  and 
flying  centres  of  Italy.  Last  year,  for  instance/  these  students  visited  such 
centres  .as  Turin,  Mian,  Rome  and  Florence  and  the  main  aeronautical  factories 
of  the  country. 

The  program  of  studies  is  similar  to  that  in  a university.  There. is  a 
provision  whereby  Academy  students  who  have  graduated  from  scientific  or  clas- 
sical lyceums  and  whohave  proficiently 'passed  two  years  of  training  at  that 
institution,  are  allowed  to  take  the  examination  of  the  varioris  science  facul- 
ties for  admission  to  any  of  the  country’s  engineering  schools. 

The.  .course  of  annual  studies  begins  early  in  November  and  continues  till 
the;  end  of  May,  with  'twenty- three  lessons 'of 'one' hour  each  a week.  The  in- 
structors for  each  corirse  'are  .dhosen  ‘from  among  the  civil  and  official  teach- 
ing staffs  o.f  the.  Royal  Aeronautical , Army  and  Marine  Academies.  In  one  of  the 
Academy’s  branches,  the  School  of  Piloting,  which'  was  established  in  1927, 

12,320  hours  of  flying  .have  been  completed  as  a result  of  70,019  flights. 

The  Academy,  admits  young  Italian  Citizens  more  than  seventeen  and  not  older 
than  twenty-two.  In  order  to  cement  the  spirit  of  comradeship  afoong  these  grad- 
uates in  their  memories  forever,  a custom  has  been  set'  afoot  to  name  the  gradu- 
ating class, os  after  a,  bird,  a meteor,,  a star,  a wind,  , or  any  other  fast- speed- 
ing and  powerful  object  .or  animal/ that  '‘holds  sway  in' the  skies.  This  initia- 
tion forms  a special,  cer Oniony  and'  already  when  they  enter  upon  their ' scholastic 
careers,  the  students. are  dubbed  by  the  chosen  designation. 

' -52-  ' V-599:0,  A.C. 


Those  families  who  send,  their  children  to 'this  Royal  .Academy' ■ do  not  have 
to  fijget  heavy  fees.  Hie  fees  for- the  first  year  are  practically  free,  for  the 
family  has  to  pay  not  more  than  2,000  lire,  ©r  about  $100,  in  two  installments; 
for  the  socond  year  the  fee  is  1,300  lire,  payable  in  throe  installments;  for 
the  third  year  the  students,  being  registered  as  candidates,  receive  a salary 
of  1,500  lire  a month...  After  his  graduation  from  the  Academy,  the  young  -mlot 
gets  a .salary  of  2,:000  lire,  or  about  $100  a month.  - NEW'  YORK  WORLD. 

O0O 1— 

CAPTAIN  REYNOLDS  LOSES'  KIS  LIRE  IN  AUTOMOBILE  ACCIDENT 

Captain  Clearton  H.  Reynolds,  Air  Corps,  who  died  on  February  14th  as  the 
result  of  injuries  received  in  an  automobile  accident  at  Mt.  Clemens,  Mich., 
was  one  of  the  first  of  the  Army  flyers  during  the  World  War  to  proceed  to 
France  for  - duty  at  the  front.  He  was- born  at  Fro vince town,  Mass. , January . 

2S , 1888,  and  for  three  years  attended  the  New  Hampshire  State  College,  follow- 
ing which  he  studied  for  two  years  at  Dartmouth  College,  taking  a post  graduate 
course  in  his  second  year.  After  his-  graduation  in  1912  ;he  remained  at 
Dartmouth  for  a year  as  an  instructor  in  Physics.  He  next  affiliated  himself 
with  the  American  .Telephone;  and 'Telegraph  Company- in  the  capacity  of  Assistant 
Circuit  Engineer,. 

His  interest  in  aviation  influenced  him  to  join  the  First  Aero.  Company, 

New  York  National  Guard ,,  with  .which  he  served  ten  months  as  a Private.  From 
August  17,  1916,  until  February  23,  1917,  the  date  he  was  placed,  on  active 
duty  as  a 1st  lieutenant,  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps,  he  served  in  a 
■ civilian  capacity  in  the- Inspection  Department  of  the  Signal  Corps  Aviation 
School,  learned  to  fly  at  that  School  (Mineola,  L.I.,  New  York)  and  partici- 
pated- in  66  flights  for  a total  flying  time  of  27  hours  ana. 33  minutes. 

In  June,  1917,  Captain  Reynolds  was  assigned  to  the  1st. Aero  Squadron, and 
sailed  with  that  organisation. for  duty  overseas.  He  served  as  Adjutant  of 
this  Squadron  until,  December , .1917,  when  he  was  transferred  to  the  91st  Aero 
. Squadron  and  assigned  to  duty  as  Commanding- Officer . In  July,  1918,  he 
assumed  command  of  the  104th  Aero  Squadron. 

During  Captain  Reynolds’  service  in  France  he  flew  regularly  over  the 
front  lines  and  he  was  considered  a pilot  of  rare  qualifications  and  excep- 
tional ability..  The  record. he  made  with  the  91st  Squadron  as  a pilot  while 
engaged  upon  army  observation  work  under  the  8th  French  Army  and  the.  First 
American  Amy  in  the  Toul  Sector,  in  the  San  Mihiel  and  the  Muse-Argonne 
offensives  was  an  exceptional  one ..  . 

While  commanding  the  104th  Aero  Squadron,  Captain  Reynolds  received  the 
Distinguished  Service  Cross  for  extraordinary  heroism  in  action  near  Romagne, 
France,  October  9,  1918.  Although  weather  conditions  made  f lying  exceedingly 
dangerous,  Captain  Reynolds  with  his  observer,  started  on  a mission  to  deter- 
mine-the  position  of  the  front  line  troops  of  the  Division  to  which  his  Squad- 
tom  was  attached.  Flying  at  an  altitude. of  25  meters,  they  encountered  and 
defeated  three  enemy  patrols,  gathered  and  delivered  to  Division  Headquarters 
very  valuable  information. 

Upon  his  return. to-  the  United  States  in  April,  1919,  he.  served  fop.  sever- 
al months  in  the  Training  and  Operations  Group,  Office  od  the  Director  .of  Air 
Service,  Washington;.  In  .June,  1919,  he  was  transferred  to., Langley  Field, 

Va. , and  he.  served  at  that  field  until  August , 1922.  For. a number  of -months 
he  commanded-  the  -88th -Observation.  Squadron,  following  which  he  was-  on  duty 
as  student  and  instructor  at  the  Field  Officers’  School,  now  the  Air  Corps 
Tactical  School.;  He  graduated  from  the  School  in  June,  1921. 

After  a brief  period  of  service  . at'  the  Advanced  Flying  School,  Kelly  Field 
Texas,  .Captain  Reynolds  was  transferred  to.  Selling  Field,  Washington,  D.C., 
where  he  performed.:  various  duties,  among.: which  being  Commanding  Officer,  of  the 
99th  Observation  Squadron.  In  December,  1926,  he  was  relieved  from  Eolling 
Field  and  ordered  to  Maxwell  Field,- 'Montgomery,  Ala,-,  for  temporary  duty  as 
Commanding  Officer.  . - 

On  March  1,  1927,  Captain  Reynolds  was  ordered  to  duty  at  Fort  ".Sam  Houston 
Texas,,  and  among  the  .various  duties  he  performed  were  those  , of  Commanding 
Officer  of  the  12th,-  Observation  Squadron..  In  December,  1928,  he  was  trans4h 
f erred  .to  Self  ridge  -Field,  Mt.  Clemens , , Mich.. , and  assigned  -to  the  command., 
of  the  15th. Observation  Squadron,  which  assignment  he  retained  until  liis  death. 

Ihe  untimely  demise  of  Captain  Reynolds  deprived  the  Air  Corps  and  the 
Army  as  a whole  of  an  experienced,  valuable  and  conscientious  officer., 

-53-  V- 59 9*0,  A.  C. 


MQSElA^OUT  the  mid  winter  flight  of  the  first,  pursuit  group 

.I%r  the  News  Letter  Correspondent 

The  flight  of  the  First  Pursuit  Group,  Air  Corps,  from  Self ridge  Field, 
Michigan,  to  Spokane,  Washington,  and  return,  received  so  much  publicity  that  • 
only  a brief  resume  of  the  entire  flight  will  be  given  here. 

The  afternoon  of  January  7th,  Major  Royce  ordered  all  planes  "flown  to  the 
ice  of  St.  Clair,  adjacent  to  the  field,  where  waiting  mechanics  soon  had  the 
wheels  of  all  planes  replaced  with  the  regulation  skiis.  Daring  the  afternoon 
warmer  weather  together  with  a light  rain  'that  froze  as  it  fell  and  which  con- 
tinued throughout  the  night,  completely  encased  every  plane  in  a coat  of  ice. 

The  weather,  however,  turned  colder  during  the  9th,  and  details  were  soon  re- 
moving, the  ice  and  giving  each  plane  a final  check  prior  to  the  take-off  which, 
from  weather  reports,  seemed  assured  for  early  on  January  10th.  That  day  dawned 
clear  and  crisp,  with  about  f inches  of  snow  which  hkd  fallen  during  the  early 
morning.  The  temperature,  about  ten  degrees  above  zero,  made  flying  conditions 
ideal.  ‘ ' 

All  pursuit  planes  were  off  by  9:00  o’clock,  closely  followed  by  the  trans- 
ports. This,  however,  was  the  only  time  all  airplanes  were  ever  together  until 
January  27th,  when  the  Group,  minus  Lieut.  Warburton’ s plane  which  was  ' commie telj 
wrecked  at  Beach,  H.D.,  arrived  at  Minneapolis.  . 

Continual  trouble  beset  the  Group  from  the  time  of  take-off  until  its  returr 
to  Self ridge  Field  on  vJanuary  29th.  All  pursuit  planes  arrived  at  Duluth  on 
January  10th  and  remained  there  over  night.  The  Transport  planes,  however,  never 
made  connections-,  only  one  qf  them  covering  the  entire  route.-  The  Radio  Ford 
-Transport  was  forced. down  at  Manistique  and  at  Amasa,  Michigan,  where,  due  to 
bad  weather  and  intense  cold,  it  remained  until  January  ISth.  At  Wausau,  Wis., 
due  to  bad  weather  and  a broken  cylinder,  it  remained  until  a new  engine  could 
be  sent  there  for.  installation,  the  transport  eventually  arriving  at  Minneapolis 
on  the  26th..  Since  this  is  the  farthest  point  reached  by  this  Transport,  it  can 
be  forgotten  until  the  arrival  of  the  Group  ®n  the  27th.  It  might  be  mentioned 
here,  however-,  that  this  Transport',  as  it  so  happened,  carried  as  passengers  the 
chief  mechanic,  the  Operations  Sergeant,  the  short  wave  broadcasting  set  and  radi 
•operator,  and- the  official  photographer. 

The  other  Ford  and  Douglas  Transports  remained  at  Munising  the  night  of 
January  10th.  The  Group  of  18  Pursuit  and  2 Transports  arrived  at  Minot,  N.D. , 
on  January  12th.  Here,  on  the  morning  of  .the  following  day,  the  pilots  had  first 
hand  experience  in  starting  airplane  engines  which  had  been  left  in  the  open  all 
night  in  a mean  temperature  of  20  degrees  below  zero.  Every  known  and  many  un- 
known devices  were  tried  in  an  effort  to  break  the  engines  loose  enough  to  use 
.the  inertia  starters.  Here  the  crank  case  in  Lieut.  Bolen’s  ship  was  broken  and 
he  was  delayed  until  a new  one  could  be  shipped  and  installed.  In  landing  at 
Minot  the  Douglas  Transport  broke  the  right. axle,  but  local  repairs  were  made. 

During -the  flight  from  Minot  to  Great  Falls,  Montana,  January  13th,  the 
Group  became  separated.  Major.  Royce  with  eleven  planes  landed  at  Great  Falls  and 
Lieut.  Elliott,  leading  three  planes,  was  forced  down  at  Ho'sey  Ranch,  Montana. 
Hosey  Ranch  proved  to.be  fifty  miles  from  railroad  or  telegraph,  and  since  Lieut. 
Elliott  found,  one  cylinder  gone  he  joined' the  Cavalry  and  rode  back  to  something' 
approximating  civilization  the  following  .day,  after  hi's  two  comrades  had  taken 
to  the  air  for  Great  Falls,  where  they  arrived  Without  incident. 

. Lieut.  Shanahan  in  the  C-9' and  Lieut.  Wolf,  leading  a flight  of  three  P-l’s, 
landed  at  Havre,  Montana,  on  account  of  darkness  and  Remained  there  overnight. 
Lieut.  French  was  still  in  Minot  awaiting  repairs  to  Transport .axle. 

The- weather  continued  bad  at  Great  Falls  , .but  on  the  1,5th  Major  Royce  sent 
the  only  six  ships  which  could  be:  started,  under  the'  command  of  Lieut.  Crawford,  j 
to  Xalispell,  Mont.  Lieut.  Crawford  got  within  30  miles  of  his  destination  be- 
fore being  forced  back  to  Great  Falls  by  dense' fog;  On  the  return  flight  two 
-pilots  were  forced  down  out  of  gas  but.  Were  fortunate’ enough  to  get  prompt  ser- 
vice and-  get  back  before  searching  parties  were  ordered  out.  Lieut.  Shanahan  and 
the  three  Pursuit  ship’s  at  Havre  had  better  weather  and  got  through  to  Kali  swell 
on  the  14th.  ’ . ' 

Low  temperatures  .and  high-  winds  held  Major*'  Royce  ’ s'  flight  at  Great  Falls 
until  the  19th.  There  were  many  cases  of  frost  bite  among- the  personnel,  and 
Lieut,  Rogers  was  confined  to  a loqal  hospital  with  a frozen  foot  that  became 
infected.  The  three.  Pursuit  planes  .^nd  the  Ford  Transport  which  had  gotten  to 
Kali-spell  arrived  at  Spokane  on  the.  17th  and  .remained  to  await  the  balance  of  the 
.Grouw. 

...  “ ' ' -54- 


V-5990  . A.C. 


The  engine  shipped  tu  Lieut.  .Bolen  at  Minot  was  received  and  installed  by 
the  mechanics  with  Lieut.  'French,  Lieut.-'  Bodkin  arrived  at  Great  Falls  on  the 
19th,  but  the  Group,  now  including  Lieut.  Elliott  as  pilot  of  Lieut.  Rogers’ 
plane,  had  already  taken  off  for  Spokane,  'arriving  there  about  4:00  o’clock. 

This  made  a-  total  of  16  Pursuit  and  one  Ford  Transport  at  Spokane.  On  the  fol- 
lowing day  Lieut . Bolen  arrived  at  Spokane  from  Great  Falls.  Lieut,  French  at 
last  got  the  Douglas,  axle. . repaired,  and  departed  for  points  west.  He  was  forced 
down  at  Sidney,  Montana,  where  the  axle;  again  broke  and. a-  complete  right  half  of 
a landing  gear  had  to  be  shipped  him  before  he  could  again  take  off. 

The  return  flight  was.  started  on  January  2,2nd.  Major  Royce. , leading  a 
flight 'of  16  Pursuit  planes,  arrived  at  Helena, , 'Montana.  Lieut.  Elliott,  who  had 
been  flying  the  plane  assigned 'to  Lieut.  Roger's,  returned  to  Great  Falls,  where 
he'  was  to-, await  the  arrival'  of  . a new  engine  for  installation  in  his  plane  at 
Hosey  Ranch,  fifty  miles  away . Upon'  his  discharge  from  the  hospital,  Lieut. 

Rogers  was  to  return  to  Self ridge  in  his  airplane  returned. by  Lieut.  Elliott. 
Lieut.  Shanahan  in  the  Ford  Transport  also  arrived  at  Helena.  It  appeared  that 
one  bunch  of  mechanics  was  to  do  the  work  of  three. 

The  flight  of  16  Pursuit  planes "arrived  at  Miles  City,  Montana,  the  follow- 
. tag  day.  The  C-9  proceeded  from  Helena  to  Great  Falls  the  same  afternoon  for  the 
. purpose, of  ferrying  the  engine, which  had  just  been  received  there  for  Lieut. 
Elliott’s,  plane,  to  Rosey "Ranch  where  it  was.  to  be.  installed  and  the  plane  flown 
out. 

. On  January  24th,  while  enrqute  to  Fargo , H.D.,  Major  Royce.  and  his  entire 
flight  was . forced',  to- land-  at  Beach,  IT. D. , when  suddenly  they  were  surrounded  on 
all  side’s  by  a typical  western  blizzard.  In  landing,  Lieut.  War  bur  ton  crashed, 
completely  demolishing1 'his' plane  and.  severely  cutting  himself -about'  the  face. 
Major  Royce  went' through- about 'three  fences  but  used  the  stabilizer  and  wires 
from  Lieut'.  Warburton’-s  plane  to  make  -necessary  repairs.-  Lieut..  .Warburton  was 
ordered,  to  Fort  Lincoln  for  medical  treatment  and  thence  to  Self ridge  Field  by 
rail.  " 

. ■ - ’ On  January  26th  Lieut.  Elliott ?s  plane' ‘was.  ready  and  Lieut . Rogers  had  been 

discharged  from  the  hospital,'  Concentration  of  all  aircraft,,  was  ordered  by  Major 
Royce  'to'  be  made  at  Bismarck.  Lieut . French  arrived  from  Sidney  where  on  the 
-25th  he  had  received  the  landing  gear  and  had  it  installed  on  his  plane.  On 
•this  day  the  17  Pursuit  planes  and  the  Douglas  Transport  arrived  at  Fargo.  Lieut. 
.Shanahan  arrived  the  next  day. 'in  the  Ford  Transport.  The,  entire  flight  of  17 
Pursuit,  one  Ford  and  one  Douglas . Transport  airplanes  arrived  at .Minneapolis  on 
the  27th.  The  Radio  Ford  Transport  already  being  there,  the  Group  ..was  together 
again .except  for  one -Pursuit  plane  and  one  pilot  - all  ready,  to  get , home  and 
-.stay  there.  ....  -. . •■ 

On.  the  following  day  all  planes  arrived  at  Wausau,  Wisconsin, -where  they 
were  to  remain  for  their  last  overnight.. .stop  -.so  they  thought .< rd of, . the  trip. 

All  but  one  of  the  Pursuit  planes  and  the  Ford  Transport"'  'piloted-''  by . Lt>  Shanahan 
■ arrived  home  on  the  evening:  .of  the,  ,2.9th.  Lieut.  Sillin  was' -forced:  down  at 
Cooks,.  Michigan,  with  a broken  connecting  rod,  necessitating'- the'  installation  of 
a ; new.  engine.'  Lieut.  Duke,  piloting,  the  Radio  Ford  and'v'Lieiit;  .French,  piloting 
the  Douglas,  were  forced  down  at  Bay  .-City, . Michigan,  due  to'-carkness , ..but  got 
fhome.th©  following  'day.  -•'-Pi  _ , ,'  ’ ' j 

Due  to  bad  weather  on' the  30th-,  - it:  was : not  .possible  to  get  -h  Transport  with 
mechanics  and  an  engine- to  .Lieut.  Sillin, until'  the  ‘31st ’ However,  ■ on" that  date 
1st  Lieut.  Harry  A.  Johnson,  ! with  four  mechanics  and  a'' new -'engine. '.to ok  off  for 
Tvfe,nis.tique,  the  pehrdst^  airport , from. which  place  the  engine  was  hauled  to  Cooks. 
Installation  of  this-- engine  on  Lieut. , Sillin5 s.  plane  wad  'completed,  on. February 
1st,  and,  everything  -was  ready!  for  his  take-off ,.  .but"  unfavorable  weather  conditions 
held;  .him  at  Cooks 'tint-il  the  following  day. . ...With  his ' arrival  -at-'-Se  If  ridge  Field 
.on  ..February  2nd,  all-  the 'personnel  who-  started  lout  on  the-  flight  .were,  accounted 
for,..  Lieut.  War burtoh  having  returned  by  rail' '.several  days -earlier.. 

-We  might  add  here  the . climax .- of  the  .flight’.  Lieut.  Johnson,"  returning  to 
S.©l£ridge  Field  from  I, feiilst-ioue  .in  the.  .Ford,  was  forced  down  -a  few  .miles  south 
of  . Alba,  Michigan,  when  both  center  .and  .right  .' engine's' "suddenly  quit.  All  the 
details  of  the  crash  are. not  available  at  this  writing, ’but  it  was  learned  that 
Lieut.  Johnson  landed-' in' a snow- covered • field, ! hit  a stump,-:  'tore  the  right  wing 
completely  off  the  Ford,  which,  together  with  other  damage-,  -left  one  officer  and 
four  ms dllanics  unscathed;  but without  an  .airplane  and  no  alternative  .except  to 
walk  to  'Alba  and- Swait!' developments.  • •' 

’ . ' . P - V-599D,  A.C. 


. .THE  HEW  CLASS  .AT  THE'  PRIMARY  FLYIHG  SCHOOLS 

Since,  the  recent  announcement  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  of  the  success- 
ful candidates  appointed  Plying  Cadets  and  to  start  training  on  March  1st  next 
at  the  two  Primary  Plying  Schools  of  the  Air  Corps,  Brooks  Pield,  San  Antonio, 
Texas,,  and  March  Pield,  Riverside,  Calif . a number  of  changes  were  effected  in 
this  list,  of  candidates  due  to  the  fadt  that  for  various  reasons  some  of  them 
failed'  to  enlist , necessitating  the  appointment  of  others  to  take  their  places. 

At  this  writing  the  list  of  successful  candidates  embraces  a total,  of  244 
names,  including  195  ..civilians,  44  enlisted  men  of  the  Air  Corps  and  5 enlisted 
men  from  .ether  branches  of  the  military  service.  Slated  to  gq  to  Brooks.  .Pield 
are  87  'civilians , .32  Air  Corps  enlisted  men  and  2 enlisted  men  from  the  other 
branches.,.'  The  .new  March  Pield  class 'will  comprise  108  civilians,  12  Air  Corps 
enlisted' men  and  3 Infantrymen. 

The  names  .of  the  enlisted  men  appointed  to  the  grade  of  Flying  Cadet  were 
given  in  the  last  issue  of  the  Air  Corps  Hews  Letter.  The  successful  civilian 
candidates  are  given  below,  as  follows: 


To  go  to  Brooks  Pield 


Prank  T ...  Allen , Jr . 
John  Cole  Bryce 
Maurice  D.  Bugbee 
Will  iarn.  5 . Car.ro  1 1 
William.;!.  Chapman 
W.M.  Claybrook 
G . L . Clyburn 
HerveyD..  Columbia 


Houston,  Texas. 
OklahomaCity,  Okla., 
Tunbridge,  Vt. 
Boston,.  .MasS.  • 
Ithaca,  H.Y.  " . . 
Sewanee,'  Tenn. 

Hunt  sville , Texas . 
Tarry town,  H.Y. 


Chas.  A. ■ Coolidge  III  Birmingham,  Ala. 


Grant  Cook 

Henry  -H.  Covington,  Jr , 
Piclden  A..  Creech... 
William. Lee  .'Davis 
Kennedy  Dodds 
Jackson  .Dougherty 
Eugene  J.  Dowdy  . 

Chas . P . Elliott:,  Jr . 
Donald  R.-  Eppley 
T . Paul  Pair bank 
Cecil  L.-Felmar 
Horman  A. Fergus on 
Jack  Pish:  - 
Chas.  R.H>  Poster 
Wm.  H.  GaecRle 
Perry  K.  Galvani 
Harry  E..  C-ifford 
Louis  My-  Gregory 
Stanford ,W.  Gregory. 
Richard  H..  Harnill 
Robert  P. . Harris , Jr. 
Charles  B..  Harvin. 
George  M.  Hatfield 
Robert  B.  Hawkins.  ■ 


Wesleyville,  Pa. 
Horfolk,  Va. 

Bel va, .Okla. 
Ly.rmhaveii,  Va. 
Denver,  Colo. 
Evergreen,  Colo. 
Sa  n Ant  oni'o , Tex . 
W i Ike  s bar  re.,  Pa . 
■Sparrows  Pt . , Md . 
.Baltimore,  Md. 
Ensley , Ala. 

El  Paso,  Texas. 

■ Albuquerque  ,H.  M. 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
Hillside,  H.J. 
Baton  Rouge., La. 
Br  o okline , . Mas  s . 
Washington, Miss . 
.Denver,  Colo. 
Rutland,  Vt. 
Austin,  Texas. 
Baltimore,  Md. 
Denver,  Colo. 
Wilson,  H.C,-. 


J o nathan  L . Hayne  s , Jr . De  che  r d , .Tenn . 


Richard  S . Hicklin 
John  M.  Hodgson 
Felix  P . . Jones 
Joseph  L.  Jones 
Oliver  T, •Jones 
George  Kf  Kenne,Jr. 
Arthur  R.,  Kingham 
John  H.  Kroeger 
Irvin  L.  Lake..  . 
Robert  H.  Leigh 


Charlotte,  H.C. 
Athens , Ga, 
Jacksonville,  Pla. 
Sparrows  Pt,;,Md. 
Roanoke,'  Texas. 

San  Antonio, Tex. 
Stillwater, Okla. 
Refugio,  .Texas. 
Stillwater, Okla. 
Hackensack , H.  J . 


James  C.  Lenihan 
S.  Holt  McAlonoy 
Kenneth  McCorkle 
Joseph  W.  McKenna  . 
James  M.  McLeod 
I.  Pat  Magarick 
Franc is . W.  Marks 
■Lewis  Maverick, Jr. 
James  Paul  Meador 
Marzette  W.  Meokins 
S.C.  Meredith, III 
■Hayward  A.  Moncrief 
William  J.3.  Murphy 
William  S.  Hichols 
Horace  W.  Olson 
Dale  Graliam  Payne-. 

. George  R.  Pepper 
Raymond'  R,  Roberts 
E. V.  Robnett , Jr. 
Charles  W.  Ruckman 
L.  Roessler  Sandel 
Bradford  A ."  Shaw' 
George  A . Smeltzer 
Frank  P.  Smith 
Zay  Smith 
George  R.  Snyder 
Horace.  G.  Spillor 
Walter  M.  Ste-phens.  : 
Howard  K.  Story 
John  F . Sudduth 
Wm.  A . . Sullivan , Jr . 
W,  R.  Swain  , 

Roy  .D.  Taylor  ..  . 
Raymond „P.  Todd 
Henry  0.  Trask 
Vernon  :S.«  ■ Tupper,  Jr. 
Horris;  Turnbull  ■ 
Joseph  R.  Walker. 
Harry  B.  Warner 
George  B.  Wliarton 
John  D.  Williamson 
Hugh  C . Worthington 
Owen  Burke  Yung 


Washington, D . C. 
Colorado  Spgs . Colo . 
Swo  e twa t e r , Texas . 
Leicester, Mass. 
Florence,  S.C. 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
Alls ton,  Mass. 

San  Antonio , Texas . 
Amarillo,  Texas. 
Washington,-  H.C. 
Springhill , Ala. 
Kosse,  Texas. 
Harrisburg,  Pa. 
Bellefonte , Pa. 
Austin,  Texas. 

El  Paso,  Texas. 

San  Antonio , Texas 
Brownsville , Texas . 
Oklahoma  City, Okla, 
Muskogee,  Okla. 
Orangeburg,  S.C. 

S outh  Gar ve  r , life,  s s . 
Holly,  Colo.' 
Clarksdale , Miss. 
San  Antonio , Tex. 
Wingate,  Pa. 
Houston,  Texasv 
Baytown,  Texas. 
Ellabelle , Ga. 
Starkville,  Miss. 
Vicksburg,  -Miss.- 
Atlanta,  Ga. 
Lubbodc-, . Texas. 
Horth  Haven  , ■ Conn. 
Me chani c Falls , ■ Me . 
Ha  sh vi lie,  Tenn . 
Derby,  H.Y.  • 
Knoxville,  Tenn, 
Hickory,  H.C.' 
Baltimore,  Md. 
Tallulah,  La. 

El  Paso,  Texas. 

San  Antonio,  Tbxas. 


Enlisted  ,Can d ida t e Private  Floyd  L.  Mitchell,  11th  School  Group  Hqrs.  , 
Brooks  Pield,  Texas,  in  place  of  Private  Troy.  Eli  Frost,  of  Same  organization, 
who  withdrew  application. 

-56-  V-599D,A. C. 


To  go  to  March  jfafeiun  (Sallft 


Wilford  G.  Akin 
Alvin  C.  Algee 
Arthur  W . Anderson  ■ 
-Earl  W.  Anderson  ■ 

Go  or  go  W.  Banks 
Myron  C-.  Barnes 
Robt.W,  Baskerville  ■ 
Karl  E.  Baumeister. 
Harry, Beach,  Jr. 
Robert  hill is  Beach 
E.  Homer  Boll 
Harold1  F..  Blackburn. 
Albert  J.  Boot 
Sidney  T.Bottenficld 
Harold  R.  Brown 
Howard  R.  Bryant-  . • 
Dennis  Leroy  Cain 
Eugene  F-.  Cardwell 
Wilbur  Carter 
Donald. E.,  Cluxton 
Malcolm  M. Coleman 
Chandler  V.  Coups. 

0.  Dudley  Crawford 
H.L.  Crutchfield 
Eric  Danielson  - 
J . • Edward  Darby  - 
Louis  Lee  Derry 
Maurice  J.  Dezzani 
Harry  E.  • Dutton  • • 
John  C.  Eberhardt 
Charles  P.  Edwards 
Walter  G.  Edwards 
Harry  - T-.  ■ Evans  . 

Fred-  Faust 
Wallace  H.Frestoe 
Edgar  W.  Funic 
Walter  S . Funk  - 
Eugene . S . Graham . 

John  R . Gregory 
Palmer  G.  Gorman 
H.  Kenneth  Greeson 
George  R.  Hale 
.Gilbert  Hazel 
.Charles  E..  Henry 
George’  .Z . Hoff  plan ' 
Donovan  J.  Hogan 
Bell  R.  Homer 
Phil  A.  Horner 
Warner  D.  Hunt 
Lewis  W.  Hunter 
LeRoy  Jensen 
Robt . W.  Ledbetter 
John  Samuel  Lewis- 
Lewis  C.  Butcher 


Rockford,  111. 

. Chicago1 '}■  111.  SVt* 

Detroit,  Mich,. 
San  Fe$ro.,  Calif  h 
. San  Diego Cali f> 
■ Blue  Mound , Kan s,. 
San  Diego, Calif. 


Arlen  F.  McCarty 
James  ,W'.' McGlenahan 
Edward  J.  McGinty 
W.Konueth. McIntosh 
Charles  T.-  McKinnie 
Horton  B.  Me  .Quarry-' 
John  L.  Magdenv 
Walla  Walla, Wash.-  Edw.W.,  Maschmeyer 
Sioux . Falls , S . D . ,•  Donald  E .•  j Meade 
Seattle,  Wash.  Otis  Frank  Madden 
Moscow,  Idaho.  :Wil-l-iam-\W. „ Mentzer 
Los  Angeles , Calif.  Wm.; . L . ..Merrill 
Long  Beach,  Calif.  Harold  J.  Miller 


Oakland,  .Calif..  . 
Portland,  Oregon 
Lexington,  Ky.  • 
Caru  ther  sville , Mo . 
Chicago , 111 . 
Brookings,  • S . D. 

San  Mateo,  Calif. 
Cleveland,  0. 
Columbus,.  0. 
Cleveland,  0. 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Spokane , Wash. 
Colfax,  Indiana-,- 
Poplar  Bluff , Mo . 
Oalcland,  Calif. 
Eugene , Oregon 
Los  Ange  1 p s , Oa-1  i f . 
Los  Angeles ,- Calif.  • 
Washington,  D.C.  ■ 
BerVyn,  111. 

Los  Angeles-,  Calif . 
St.  .Elmo,  111.  . 

Oak  Park,  111. 

Lo  s- j-Angelos,  Calif  * 
Ripon , .Wis. 

San  Diego,  Calif. 


Lambert  H.  Miller 
Raymond  A.  Miller 
. Rtis.’sell;  Molyneux 
Richard  A.  Morehouse 
Jay  K.  Montgomery  " r. 
Thomas  S.-  He  1 1 1 o t on ' 
William.  3.  Hichols'.. 
'■Walter  W.-  Pharr-- 
J. ; Parkes.  Pinson  ■ \. 
Burns  D. . Price-" 
Traitor  A.  Ransom  •' 

• Philo  0.  Rasmus  en- 
Paul:  T.'.  Ricketts  / 
Daniel  F.  Ritchie 
Wayne  F . - Ri  de  nour 
Elliott  G.  Roberts 
.Grant  Hadden  Shage-r 
W..  A . Shaw 
Clarence  A.  Sho.op 
■Wm.  L.  Sio Decker 
•■Frank ■ I . 'Spangler 
Eugene- F-  Springer":.- 
Richard. M. • Stafford 
."Albert  -W.  Stainback 
.■Harold  F.  Stall smith 
Everctt  M.  Stearns 


Huntington  Pk, Calif.  Fred  H.  Stemm,  Jr. 
Maryville, -Mo  . - - : Arthur  R.  St  runic 

Chicago,  111.  Charles  Sumner 

University  City ,= Me.  -Horace  . E.  iTilden 
Columbus,  Ohio.-...  a Eugene  C.  Volz  ' 

Los . Angel  es.,- Gal  if  .•  -Harold  . B.<  Walden 
Minneapolis , Minn.  Francis  T.  Watson 

Mo  scow,  Idaho..  Lee  C.  Weber 

Santa  Barbara  , Calif.  Eugene  M.  Welch 
Hollywood , Cal  if.  • /;  ~ Doyle ' Williams 
SanFrancisco  , Calif . Maurice  C.  Williams 


Eugene , Oregon. 
Hastings,  Heb. 
Milwaulce  e,  Wis. 

Santa  Aha, Calif. 
Fargo..,  H.D..  . . 

Liberal,  Kansas. 
■Glendale , West  Va. 

West  Lafayette , Ind. 
MadisonTWis. 

Chicago,  111. 

Tacoma,  Wash. 

Ventura:, . ' Cal  if . 

Gary,  Indi  v 

Los  Angeles , Calif. 

Seattle,  Wash. 

Sandpo int , I daho . 
Columbus , Ohio . 

Los  -.Angeles,  Calif . 
San  Pedro,,  Calif. 
Champaign-,' ' ; 111 . 

St  ..-.Louis,; 'Mb. 
Birmingham,  ’ Ala.,- 
Washington,  D.C. 

■Calc  Parle,  111. 

Salt  Lake  City, Utah. 
Farmington’,  • Mo , 

West  Alis,  Wis. 
Chicago,  111. 

•Grand  Rapids , Mich. 
Seattle,  Wash. 

Toronto , Kansas. 

' Granville , Ohio . 

Wi scons in  Rapids , Wi s . 
.-Beloit  ,■  Wis-.  ■ 
Sullivan,  Iiid, 

’ Gnicago,  111  . 

Detroit,  Mich. 
■Covington,  Ky. 
Longview,  Wash. 
Kansas  City,  Mo. 
Windom,  Mich. 

San  Pedro,  Calif. 

San  Franc i s c o , Cal if . 
■Hew  Richmond,'  Ind. 
Wayne , Ind. 

Lexington,  Ky-.. 
Davenport , Iowa. 
Lexington,  Ky. 
Maudlin,  Ark. 

Ventura,  Calif. 
'Glendale,  Calif. 
Ellis,  Kansas. 


Minneapolis,  Minn. . Robert  A.  Woods 
Little  Rock, Ark.  - Kenneth  Yoder 
Shubert , Heb.- 

Walla  Walla, Wash..  ■ 

Russell  A.  McCall  ion  SanFranciscovCalif . 

. oOo- — ■.-  ■' 

AIR' CORPS- iHFORMATI OH  ’ * 

Several  articles  dealing  with  military  aviation  were  ..recently  published  by 
•the  Information  Division,  Office,  of  the  Chief  of  -the  -Air...  Corps,  : ’which  $,re;  useful 
in  aiding  Air  Corps'. officers  in  delivering  lectures  on. .Air  Corps  .subjects.,  . They 
are  as  follows:  . . ,. 

U-935  The  -Part  of  the  Army  in  Developing  Aerial ^Transportation  - 1200  words 

U-936  Air  Corps  Training  - - - - - - - - - 18p0;-  " 

"U-937  Military  Aviation' for  1929,  'Ed  e'en  t "Accompli slimehts  of  Air  Corps- y 1600  " 
U-938  Th|  Amy  Air  Corps  - --  --  --  --  --  - "4500  " 

U - Conversion  of  Commercial  into-  Military  Aircraft  - --  --  --  - 1500  " 

Address  requests  for  above  pamphlets  to  Publication  Section,  Office  Chief  of 
tho  Air  Corps,  Washington,  D.C. 


-57- 


V-599Q,  A.C. 


■ . • • 

• ' : ' • • - 

RESERVE  OEFICERS  ORDERS:;  TO  FOREIGN  SERVICE 

Five  graduates  of  the  Air  Corps  Advanced  Flying  School,  Kelly  Field,  San 
Antonio , Texas , wore  ordered  to  foreign  service  in  Panama,  sailing  from  New  York 
on  February  21st.  These  cadets  were  graduated  on  February  15th  and  two  days 
later  were  ordered  to  active  duty  as  2nd  Lieutenants  in  the  Air  Corps  Reserve. 

According  to  the  information  available  at  Kelly  Field,  these  young  men  are  j 
the  first  Reserve  officers  to  be  ordered  to  foreign  duty  immediately  after  grad-  i 
uation.  • . 

Nineteen  members  of  the  graduating  class  were  ordered  to  active  duty  as  2nd 
Lieutenants,  Air  Corps  Reserve,  in  Hawaii,  but  they  will  not  sail  for  the  Islands  i. 
until  March  15th.  , . . 

oOo- — 

A "TALKIE”  THEATRE  AT  LANGLEY  FIELD 

February  16th  was. a red  letter,  day  in  the  history  of  post  entertainment  at 
: Langley  Field,  Va.  On  that  day  the  first  "talkie  movie"  was  presented  in  the 
Post  Theatre.  Through,  courtesy,  the  building  in  which  the  movies  have  been  shown  | 
has  been  called  the  "Post  Theatre."  In  reality,  however,  it  was  simply  an  unused  j 
airplane  hangar  containing,  a screen,  a -projector  and  some  chairs.  Bit  now,  after  | 
one  is  once  inside  the  building,  there  is  little  to  remind  him  of  the  original 
purpose  of  the  building. 

One  week  prior  to. the  installation,  of  the  speaking  pictures,  the  work  of  re- 
modeling the  building  was  begun.  Everything  was  completed  for  the  opening  night 
and  many  were  the  favorable  comments  on  the  changed  appearance.  All  this  work 
was  completed  by  members  of  the  command  under  the  supervision  of  the  Quartermas- 
ter. The  attendance:  on  the  opening  night  taxed  the  seating  capacity  and  gave 
proof  of  the  popularity  of  the  change  from  the  silent'  drama.  . 

The  News  Letter  Correspondent  states  that  the  members  of  Langley  Field  are 
to  be  congratulated  upon  the  support  which  has  always  been 'given  the  Post  Theatre, 
which  support • brought  to  the  post  one  of  the  first  installations  of.  "Talkies  " 
at  an  Army  station.  No  little  praise  is  due  those  who  put  forth  every  effort 
toward  constructing  a theatre  such  as  Langley  Field  now  has  for  the  comfort  and 
enjoyment  of  its  personnel. 

The  Langley  Field  Theatre  will  now  show  a different  all- talking  program  each 
night  of  the  week  and. will  show  only  the  best  productions  oh  the  market. 

oOo : ’ 

NOTICE- TO  PILOTS 

The  attention  of  all  pilots  is  called  to  the.  existence  of  a magazine  area 
at  the  Charleston  Ordnance  Reserve  Depot,  Charleston,  S.C..  An  order  was  issued 
by  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  directing  pilots  to  refrain  from  flying  over  this 
area.  , 5 • 

o0o< — •- 

YOKE  OF  OXEN  HAUL  AN  AIRPLANE 

An  interesting  comparison  was  had  a few  days  ago  between  modern  and  ancient 
■means  of  transporto-tion,  an  airplane  ’ powered  by  a yoke' of  oxen.  Lieut.  R.D. 

Reeve,  Air  Corps-,  returning  from* Galveston,  Texas,  to  Brooks  Field.,  San  Antonio, 
Texas,  suddenly  without  warning  was  brought  to  the  unhappy' realization  that  his 
02-K  observation  plane  no  longer  had  a propeller,  long  considered  essential  for 
sustained  flight.  With  great  presence  of  mind  and  without  much  hesitation, 

Lieut,  Reeve  landed  in  the  only  field  available  and  found  it  very  soft,  not  to 
say  muddy. 

No  ship  could  take  off  from  that  field  in  its  condition  at  that  particular 
time,  especially  an  02-K,  less  propeller.  Less  than,  a mile  away  was  a good 
solid  field,  but  tractors  or  mules  would,  have  been  helpless  even  if  available. 

A yoke  of  oxen  was  secured  and,  with  the  assistance  of  willing  negro  spectators, 
a sure  if  not  swift  move  was  mode  to  the  good  field.  From  there  the  ship  was 
returned  to  Brooks  Field  safe  and  sound,  after  the  installation  of  a new  prop, 
of  course. 

-58- 


V-59S0,  A.  C . 


RUSSIAN  AV&tftad  Mission-  Visits-  KEItLY  'FIELD '; 

Kelly  Field \ San  Antonio  ,-  Texas j • Wagj  fcy.  a Russian  Aviation  Mission 

on  February  14th.-  The  Oolmis dioil  Mate  headed  by --j^tef.- J.‘  Baranov,  President',. of 
the  Council  of  Civil  Aviation  of  Moscow,  and  comprised  a number  of  technical 
assistants.  Professor  A. IT.  Tonpoleff,  designer  of  the  plane' which  recently  flew 
from  Moscow  to  Hew  York,  was  included  in  the  -Commission'!  They  are  .making  an 
aeronautical  survey  of  the  United  State's, 

The  Mission  left  San  Antonio  February  15th  for  Pensacola,  Fla. , to  visit, 
the  Haval  Flying  School. 

~ — 0O0- — .. 

A'  BOOST  'FOR  THE  FIRST  PURSUIT  GROUP- ;. 

A prominent  citizen  of  Great  Falls,  Montana,  recently  addressed  the  follow 
ing  communication  to  the  Chief  of  the.  Air  Corps : '.' 

"In  the  usual  course  of  business  affairs  we  ordinarily  do  not;find  time  to 
comment  on  the  achievements  Of  our  fellpW  citizens  but  I feel  that in  connection 
with  the  splendid  work  of  Major  Ralph'  Ttoyce  and- his  squadron  of  fliers',  who  . have 
just  completed  the  northern  flight  from  -Self ridge  Field  to  Spokane  and  -return,  I 
should  be  derelict  in  my.  appreciation  as  & citizen  if 'I  did  not  give  them  full 
credit  for  what  they  accomplished..  Hot  being. a flier * my  observation  are  those 
of  the  layman  who  has  just  recently  become  intensely  interested  in  aviation  and 
gence  my  comments  are  set  forth  as  such. 

As  chairman  of  the  reception  committee  of  Great  Falls,  it  became  a distinct 
pleasure  to  receive  Major  Royqe  and  the  squadron  and  to  give  some  little  help  in 
entertaining  them  and  taking  care  of  their  neads  while  in  our  city.  Permit  me 
to  say  that  I have  never  met  a group  of  men  who  represented  the  Army  and  the 
United  States  Government  with  more  dignity  and  soldierly  conduct  than  did  the 
ifojor  and  his  Group,  Each  and  every  one  of  ' them  was  willing  and  anxious  to  ex- 
plain to  the  citizens  of  this  community  the  purpose  of  the  trip  and  they  all  con- 
ducted themselves  in  a fashion  that  made  it  a pleasure  for  the  community  to  en- 
tertain them  and  to  render  them  any  service  that  would  aid  fn  the  experiment 
which  they  were  undertalcing.  ' 

With  the  thermometer  registering  far  below  zero,  the  Group  was  on 'the  line 
with  their  ships  before  daylight  every  morning  that  they  were  delayed  in. Great 
Falls  with  the  hope  of  breaking  through  the  low  ceiling  and  sometimes,  blizzards 
that  stood  between  them  and  their  western  goal,  namely , Spokane . The  experience 
of  having  them  was  unique  for  Great  Falls  and  it  accomplished  much  in  ■ tliat  the 
interest  in  aviation  has  increased  many  fold  since  their  visit. 

It  was  remarkable  that  Major  Royce  was  able  - to.  take  his  squadron  across 
country,  and  while  the  trip  undoubtedly  proved  ;:that  - there  were  many  short comings 
in  both  the  motor  equipment  and  other  equipment  furnished  the  fliers,  it  equally 
proved  that  the  spirit  of  the  Air  Service  was  such  that  when  they  started  a pro- 
ject, no  hardship  could  keep  them  from  completing  it. 

I desire  to  extend  my  congratulations  to  Major  Royce  and  his  squadron  and 
hope  that  the  War  Department  will  see  fit  to  permit  them  to  make  a return  flight 
to  Great  Falls  whenever  it  is  in  conformity  with  the  plans  of  the  Army." 

0O0 — 

A HEW  WRIHKXE  IH  MOUNTING  MAPS  ' : '.'  ' 

In  the  routine  work  of  the  Information  Division,  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the ' 
Air.C&rps,  the  mounting  of  maps  on  linen  or  cotton,  using  photo  paste  or  just, 
plain  flour  and  water  has  met" with  varying  degrees  of  success,  but  at  nq  time 
could  the  finished  job  be  characterized  as  thoroughly  satisfactory. 

Just  recently  the  task  confronted  the  Information  Division  of  mounting  some 
240  maps  of  the  area  in  the  vicinity  of  Sacramento',  Calif.,  where  the.  Air"  Corps 
exercises  will  he  conducted  this  Spring.  One  of  the  employees  of  the  Publica- 
tions Section  started  out  to  see  what  he  could  do  in  the  way  of  concocting  a 
sticky  preparation  which  would  obviate  a lot  of  profanity  and  ruffled  tempers. 

The  result . of  his  experiment  exceeded  expectations.  Padding  cement  and  glue 
were  used  in  proportion  of  60$  of  the  first  named  composition  to  40$  of  the 
latter.  These  two  ingredients  come  in  solidified  form,  sliced  up  into  cubes,  so 
that  they  could  be  used  as  needed.  A cube  of  the  padding  cement",  2 inches 
square,  ^was  dropped  into  a glue  pot  along  with  another  cube  of  glue  of  smaller 
proportions.  Water  was  added  and  the  conglomeration  of  stickiness  placed  over  a 
slov;  fire  until  it  melted.  More  water  was  then  added  until  the  paste  reached 
the  desired  consistency.  It  was  found  that  this  paste  is  the  "stickiest  sticker 
that  ever  stuck,"  and  a fine  job  was  turned  out. 

Photo  Sections  and  others  are  welcome  to  the  tip.  Further  information  may 
be  obtained  by  writing  to  the  Information  Division,  Publications  Section. 

-59-  V-5990,  A. C. 


ARMY  AIRMEN  SEARCH  EOR  LOST  AIR  MAIL  PILOT  . 

.'  Six  Pursuit  planes  and.  one  Transport  plane  left  Rockwell  .Field,  Coronado, 
Calif.,  on  January  17th  last  for  Las  Yegas,  Nevada,  for- the  purpose  -of  cooperat- 
ing with  the  Western  Air  Express  in  the  search  for  Maury ' Graham,  Western  Air 
Express  pilot,  missing  since  January  10th.  The.  officers  taking  part-  in  the 
search  included  Captain  H.M.  Elmendorf,  Lieuts.  K.‘  J.  Gregg,  I.  A.  Woodring, 

J,  G.  Hopkins,  S K.  Rohinson,  J.  E.  Mallory  and  D.D.  Graves.  Eight  enlisted 
mechanics  accompanied  the  Army  pilots".’ 

Hie  flying  time  on  this,  mission,  totaled  146.  hours,  30.  minutes,  of  which 
time  44  hours  and  45  minutes  were'  consumed  in  flying  to  and.  from  Las  Yegas,  and 
101  hours  and  45  minutes  in  the  search.  p3he.,  flight  returned- to.- Rockwell  Field 
at  1:15  p.m.  , January  23rd.  Low  temperatures  were  encountered  at  ..times  during 
this  search,  which  reached  18  degrees  below  zero  on  one.  occasion  at  Salt  Lake 
City.  The  only  difficulty  experienced  with  the  P-12  was.' the , congealing  of  the 
oil  in  the  starter  which  made  it  difficult  for  the  starter  to  turn  over. 

- — oOo ' 

ARMY  AIRMEN  IN'  PHILIPPINES  PERFORM  WELL  IN  ATHLETICS 

The  Fourth  Composite  Group,  Air  Corps,  Nichols  Field,  Rizal,  P.I.,  won 
second  place  in  the  Philippine  Department  Track  and  Field  Meet,  with  a grand 
total  of  88  points.  In  commending  the  participants  from  the  Group,  Major  W.G. 
Kilner,  Air  Corps,  congratulated  them  on  their  physical  fitness,  mental  alert-, 
ness  and  the  will  to  win,  which  are  marks  of  all  good  soldiers.  ■ 

Private  Miltz,  28th  Bombardment  Squadron,,  broke,  .the.  Department  Shot  Put  - 
record  by  catapulting  the ' heavy  sphere  45  feet ,.  /•§■'  inch,.  .'  Private.  Anthony  of-  the; 
2nd  Observation  Squadron  won  the  Pentathlon,  which  brought  3a.im-a  .goid  watch;.  . 
.and 'his  team  ten- points.  — -OOo—  / ..  ...  . 

LANGLEY'  FIELD  TO  ' HAYS  RADiO  - BEACON  , 

The  .new  radio  beacon  at  "Langley  Field,  Ya.  'is  nearing  compiet ion  and  will 
be-  in  operation  within  a "few  weeks.  The  building  and  eighty-foot  tower  have 
been  constructed  by  the  Brewster  Company  of  Columbus,  Ohio.  The  power  wiring, 
and  antenna  system  are  being  installed  by  personnel  of  the  post.  Engineers  from 
Wright' Field,  Dayton,  Ohio  , 'Will' -make  the  final  check. 

Under  nresent  plans  the'  beam’  of  the  beacon  will  not  be  set  on  any  fixed 
course- but  will  be  directed  and  placed" In 'operation  upon  request  . 

The  services  of  an  operator  are  required  to  direct  the  Deacon  and  to  start 
•ahd  adjust  the  output  of  the  2000-watt  radio  transmitter  which  furnishes  the, 
-signal  as  directed  by  the  goniometer.  The  automatic  key  will  continue  to  send 
out  the  interlocking  A’ s and'  i^s  until  the  set  is  shut  down . A pilot,  flying  on 
the  beacon  will  hear  a steady  buzz  in  his  radio  ear  phones  unless  .he  strays  to. 
the  right  or  left  of  his- course,  in  which  case  he  will  hear  an  A or.  an  I trans- 
mitted in  the  continental  .code . At  frequent  intei-vals  the  buzz  indicating  the 
direct  course  will  be  replaced  by  the  letter  L,  indicating  that  the  sending 
station  is  Langley  Field. 

Yisiting  pilots  are  cautioned  to  observe  the  tower  of  the  beacon,  which  is 
located  on  the  north  edge  of -the  field  east  of  the  light er-than-air  section  of 
the  post.  ' - .'  *'•  ■ ' ' 

• oOo — — ' 

TRAINING  FOR  LIGHTER- THAN-AIR.  OFFICERS  .' 

Six  officers  belonging' to  the.  Lighter— than— Air  branch,  of.  the  Arhy  Air  ^ 
Corps  received  orders  detailing  them  to  duty  as  students,  at  the  Primary  Flying 
School,  March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif . , and -t.o;  take  training  with-; the  Class 
starting  on  March  1st  next.  "These  officers. are  Captain  Walter  R.  Reed,  1st  ... 
Lieuts.  Fred  A.  Engles,  Uzal  G.'  Ent , R.R.,  Selway,  2nd  "Lieut's.  Ralph  Romes  and. 
John  A.  Tarro.  Captain  Reehms -stationed  until  lately  in  the  Buildings  and 
Grounds  Section,  Office  Chief -.of -Air  Corps;  Lieut.  Hit  goes  to  March  Field 
from  Langley  Field;  Lieuts.  Engles,  Selway  and  Holmes  from  Scott  Field,  111., 
and  Lieut.  Tarro  from  Fort  Sill , Oklahoma. 

,-  oV-  . “ ■ -60-  Y-5990,  A.C. 


"Indiana  toJioKai  guahd.aibhen  combat  flood  ’ ; " 

By  the  Hers  Letter  Correspondent 

In  the  middle  of  January,  1930,  the  Wabash,  usually  a well  behaved  fiver, 
took  a sudden  notion  to  step  out  and  sor  some  rild  oats.  It  would  freeze'  and 
than,  then  freeze  again,  forming  an  ice  jam  and  causing  the  lowlands  above  and 
around  the  river  to  become  flooded  with  slush,  ice  and  water.  Before  anyone 
realized  it,  the  flood  covered  hundreds  of  square  miles  of  territory  from 
Vincennes,  Indiana,  to  the  mouth  of  the  TJabash  Biver.  Thousands  of  people  in 
the  lowlands  were  marooned  without  food,  fuel  or  clothing. 

The  38th  Division  Aviation  received  the  first  call  from  Adjutant  General 
M.  G.  Henley,  saying  that  the  Governor  wanted  planes  sent  to  bomb  the  ice  jams 
above  Vincennes.  To  do  this  required  100-lb.  demolition  bombs,  and  none  of  these 
were  nearer  than  Bock  Island  Arsenal,  111.  - too  far  away  for  immediate  action. 

On  January  17th,  Lieut.  M.G.  Carpenter,  113th  Obs.  Squadron,  38th  Division 
Aviation,  was  sent  to  make  a special  patrol  and  survey  of  the  flooded  areas.  The 
details  of  this  survey  were  requested  by  the  Bed  Cross  and  civil  authorities  of 
Vincennes.  Mr.  H .3.  TJilliamson,  Director  of  the  Bed  Cross,  had  established 
relief  headquarters  at  Vincennes,  Indiana,  and,  from  all  reports,  was  in  a 
"flat  spin. " 

Hie  second  mission  was  dispatched  on  January  23rd  to  make  a survey  of  the 
Crowleyville , Becker  School  House,  Griffin  Area,  for  the  purpose  of  locating 
certain  families  on  whom  no  reports  had  been  received  since  the'  isolation  of 
this  area.  This  flight,  made  by  Lieut.  P.  A.  Zartman,  definitely  established 
that  there  were  50  or  more  families  isolated  in  this  district  by  ice  and  water. 
Acting  on  the  suggestion  of  Lieut.  Zartman,  panels  and  panel  codes  with  instruc- 
tions for  use  were  dropped  to  communities  in  the  flooded  area. 

On  January  24th,  Lieut.  Cecil  P.L.  Beynolds  nia.de  a patrol  of  the  area  and 
located  two  panels  requesting  food.  He  immediately  flew  bade  to  Vincennes, 
secured  bags  of  food  and  returned,  dropping  them  to  the  families  who  had  dis- 
played distress  signals. 

On  the  same  day,  Major  Bichard  P . Taylor,  commanding  the  38th  Division 
Aviation,  with  Adjutant  General  M.G.  Henley,  made  a personal  survey  of  the  flood- 
ed area.  They  found  great  numbers  of  isolated  families,  and  upon  landing  at 
Vincennes  learned  of  serious  illness  at  Black  Oak  Bidge.  Before  returning  to 
Indianapolis,  Major  Taylor  flew  Dr.  M.L.  Curtner  to  Black  Oak  Bidge',  where-  some 
75  people  were  marooned  in  an  old  school  house,  several  of  them  seriously  ill. 
After  making  a backyard  landing  on  the  side  of  an  ice- covered  hill’ and  leaving 
Dr.  Curtner  to  administer  relief  to  the  sick,  Major  Ta  lor  returned  to  Vincennes 
and  then  to  Indianapolis  with  General  Henley. 

Due  to  the  distance  from  Stout  Field,  Indianapolis,  it  was  decided  to  send 
a flight  of  the  113th  Observation  Squadron  to  Evansville,  Indiana , to  conduct 
future  operations  from  that  mlace. 

On  January  25tli,  one  flight  of  the  113th  Observation  Squadron,  38th  Division 
Aviation,  consisting  of  three  officers  and  two  enlisted  men,  utilizing  three 
02-H  airplanes-,  proceeded  to  the  advance  base  at  Evansville.  This  flight  was 
accompanied  by  Lieut.  D.D.  Watson,  Air  Corps,  U.S.  Army,  Instructor  of  the  38th 
Division  Aviation. 

Upon  arrival  at  the  base,  a conference  was  held  with  Mr.  H.3.  Williamson, 
Director  of  the  Bed  Cross,  during  which  the  manner  the  flight  was  to  be  utilized 
was  agreed' upon.  The  , flight  was  to -make  a survey  of  the  entire  flood  area, 
locating  isolated  families  and  communities , .establishing  contact  by  means  of 
panel  communication,  dropping  food,  medicine,  clothing  and  other  necessities. 
These  articles  were  furnished  in  proper  containers  by  the  Bed  Cross. 

Hie  flight  was  completely  organised  and  ready  for  operation  on  the  morning 
of  January  26th.  A complete  survey  from  Shawnetown,  111.,  to  Vincennes,  Ind. , 
was  made,  disclosing  that  a large  number  of  people  were  hopelessly  isolated,  and 
in  many  instances  had  been  forced  to  evacuate  to  barns  and  other  buildings  on 
higher  ground.  The  condition  ampeared  to  be  worse  on  the  Illinois  side  of  the 
TJabash  Biver. 

The  Bed  Cross  authorities  were  in  apparent  ignorance  of  these  conditions. 
This  survey  gave  the  first  indication  of  the  magnitude  of  the  task  confronting 
the  relief  authorities. 

On  January  28th  the  area  was  divided  into  .two  zones , the  Northern  Area 
securing  supplies  from  Vincennes  and  the  Southern  Area. from  Evansville.  After 
January  28th  the  dropping  of  food,  clothing  and  medical  supplies  continued  daily 

“S1~  ' V-599.0, : A.C. 


until  the  evening  of  February  8th,  when  it  became  apparent  that  ground  relief 
could  penetrate  into  the  flood-stricken  areas.  Host  of  the  natrols  were  made 
during  sub-zero  weather. 

The  following  is  a general  summary  of  the  operations  of  the  Indiana  national 
Guard  airmen  in  connection  with  flood-relief  measures: 

Total  missions  flown  - 108 

Total  flying  time  - 129  hours,  50  minutes. 

national  Guard  personnel  on  duty  - 7 officers,  3 enlisted  men. 

Total  sacks  of  supplies  dropped  - 426 

Total  number  of  airplanes  at  peak  of  operations  - 5 
(3  Douglas  02-H»s,  1 Douglas  02-K'and  1 0-17). 

A number  of  additional  flights  were  made,  such  as  ferrying  physicians  into 
and  out  of  the  flooded  areas,  delivering  special  and  bulky  articles  JLik'e  100-lb. 
sacks  of  sugar,  bacon,  s ecial  medicines  and  shoes,  and  assisting  in  the  evacua-, 
tion  of  one  wo™an  suffering  from  double  pneumonia, 

Lieut.  Howard  H.  Maxwell , commanding  the  113th  Photo  Section,  38th  Division 
Aviation,  made  several  very  good  aerial  photographs  for  the  Red  Cross. 

By  February  9th  the  flood  waters  had  subsided,  and  the  detachment  returned 
to  Stout  Field,  Indianapolis,  the  following  day. 

oOo 

. Wj &r  department  orders  affecting  air.  corps  officers 

Changes  of  Station:  . Upon  completion  of  present  course  of ‘instruct ion- at  the 
Army  War  College.,  Major  Junius  W.  Jones  to  duty  in  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the 
Air  Corps;  Lieut  .-Colonel  Arthur  G.  Fisher  to  Fort  Semi  Houston,  Texas,  - for  duty 
as  Air  Officer  of  :8th  Corps  Area  and  Major  Joseph- T.  McNarney  to  March  Field, 
Riverside,  Calif. 

Major  Millard  F.  Harmon,  C.O.  of  March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif . , to  report 
not  later  than  August  1st  to  Commandant , Command  and  General  Staff  School,  Fort 
Leavenworth,  Kansas,  for  duty  as  Instructor.. 

Major  Clinton  W.  Russell,  upon  relief  from  duty  as  student  at  Army  War 
College,  to  Naval  War  College,  Newport,  R.I.,,  for  duty  as  student. 

Following-named  officers  to  proceed  about  May  28th  to  March  Field,  Calif., 
for  duty -as-  students  at  Primary  Flying  School:  Captain  Dudley  B.  Howard,  Office 
Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  Washington;  Captains  Wm,  E.  Kepner , Edgar  P.  Sorenson, 

1st  Lieut,  Lawrence  A.  Lawson  and  2nd  Lieut.  Howard  H.  Crouch,  Wright  Field,  0. 

Major  Davenport  Johnson,  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  to  Fort 
Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas,  to- assume  command,. 

Major  Robert  Coker,  Hqrs.  8th  Corps  Area,  to  duty  with  Organized  Reserves, 
8th  Corps  Area,  Fort  Sam  Houston,:  Texas.  • 

Major  Herbert  A.  Dargue,  upon  completion  of  course  of  instruction  at  Naval 
War  College,  Newport,  R.I.,  to  Langley  Field,  Va. 

Major  Frederick  L.  Martin,  Office  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps , to  Air  Corps 
Training  Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas,  August  1,  for  duty  as  Commandant  of  the 
Air  Corps  Advanced  Flying  School.. 

Lieut .-Colonel  Jacob  W.S.  Wuest,  Langley  Field,  to  Chanute  Field,  111., 
to  assume  command. 

Captain  Clarence  B.  Lober,  upon  relief  from  tour  of  duty  in  Hawaiian  Dept., 
to  Akron,  Ohio,  for  duty  as  Engineering  Representative,  of.  Materiel  Division  at 
the  Goodyear  Zeppelin  Company.  . > 

Captain  Lowell. H.  Smith,  Air  Corps  Representative  with, Curtiss  Aeromlane 
and  Motor  Company,  Buffalo,  N.Y.,  to  Bristol,  Pa. , for  duty  in  same  capacity 
at  plant  of  Keystone  Aircraft  Corporation. 

Captain  Warner  B.  Gates,  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  to  San  Antonio  Air  Depot, 

Duncan  Field,  Texas. 

1st  Lieut,  John  E,  Upston,  Office  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  to  Crissy  Field, 
Calif.,  sailing  from  New  York,  about  July  18,  1930. 

1st  Lieut.  Edwin  R.  McReyno.lds,  Air  Corps  Representative  at  Keystone  Air-, 
craft  Cor -oration,  Bristol,  Pa..,  to  Wright  Field,  Dayton,.  Ohio. 

1st  Lieut.  George  P.  Tourtellot,  Bolling  Field,  D.C.,  to  Hawaiian  Depart- 
ment, sailing  from  New  York  about  May  7,  1930. 

Captain  Arthur  B.  McDaniel,  Air  Corps  Training  Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas, 
to  Office  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps. 

Upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in  Panama ■ Canal  Department , 1st  Lieut s. 
Joseph  B.  Bailey  and  Robert  B.  Williams  to  March  Field,  Calif. 

Upon  completion  of  duty  in  Philippines,  1st  Lt.  Harold  R.  Wells  to  Materiel 
Division,  Wright  Field,  0. 


-62. 


V-599D,  A.C . 


Changes  of  Sta.tion  (Continued)  Upon  completion-  ©f-  tour'  of.  foreign  service, 
Captain  Armin  F.  lie  r old*  to  duty  as  Instructor,  Mo.  National  Guard,  St.  Louis, Mo. 

1st  Lt.  Edmond  P.  Gaines,  Air  Corps  Representative,  Curtiss  Aeroplane  and 
Motor  Co..,  Garden  .City, . N.Y. , to  Buffalo  factory  of  that  Co-,  in -same  capacity. 

1st  Lieut.  Carl  W..  Pyle  detailed  for  duty  with  Dept,  of  Commerce  in  the 
Hawaiian  Territory  in: connection  with  work  of  promoting  civil  aeronautics. 

Upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in  Panama,  1st  Lieut.  Rufus  R.  Davidson 
to  Langley  Field,  Va, - - , : . 

Upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in  Philippines,-  1st  Lieut.  Lionel  H. Dunlap 
to.  Fort  Sill,  Okla.  , and  1st  Lt.  Ralph  F.  Stearley.  to  Fort  Crockett,  Texas. 

1st  Lieut.  Everett  S.- Davis,  Langley  Field,  to  Fhilippinesv  sailing  from 
New  York  about  May  7,  1930. 

1st  Lieut.  James-.M.  Beavans*  March  Field,  Calif. , to  Panama,  sailing  from 
San  Francisco  about  May  24th. 

2nd  Lieut.  Milton  M.  Murphy,  Pope  Field,  N.C.  to  Philippines,  sailing 
from  New  York  about  May  7 , 1930. 

2nd  Lieuts.  Charles  A.  Harrington,  Self ridge  Field,  and  Milton  M.  Towner, 
Brooks  Field,  to  Panama,  sailing  from. New  York  about  June'  18,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  John  L. .Hitchings,  Primary  Flying  School,  Brooks  Field,  Texas, 
to  Chanute  Field,  Rant oul, ’ 111. 

2nd  Lieuts.  Shelton  E.  Prudhomne,  Kelly  Field,  and  Samuel  R.  Harris, Jr. , 
Brooks  Field,  to  Materiel  Division,  Wright  Field,.  Dayton,  0. 

Upon  completion  of  present  course  of  instruction  at  Air  Corps  Advanced 
Flying  School,  Bally  Field,  Texas,  about  Feb.  28th,  1st  Lieut.  Oscar  L.  Beal, 
Infantry,  2nd  Lt.  Karl  G.E.  Gimmle'r,  Field  Art.  and  2nd  Lt.- Truman  H.  Landon, 
Coast  Art.,  to  Fort  Crockett,  Texas;  1st  Lt.  Richard  E.  Nugent,  Infantry-,.  ■ and 
2nd  Lt.  John  H.  McCormick,  Signal  Corps,  to  Langley.' Field,  Va.';  2nd’ .Lt • Leon* . 
W«  Johnson,  Infantry,  to  Mitchel  Field,  N.Y. ; 2nd  Lt.  Minton  W,  Kaye  to  Chanute 
Field,  111.;  2nd  Lts*  John  17.  Kirby,  Infantry,  Emmett  0* Donnell , Jr. , Infantry, 
and  John  M.  Sterling,  vField  Artillery,  to  Selfridge  Field,  Mich. ; .2nd ‘Lts.- 
Donald  B.  Smith  and  Charles  B.  Stone,  III,  Infantry;  to  Rockwell  Field,  Calif.; 
2nd  Lt.  Donald  W.  Titus,  Infantry,,  to  Maxwell  Field,  Ala. ; 2nd  Lieut.  .Maurice 
C.  Bis soii,.  Infantry,  to  Kelly  Field,  Texas. 

2nd  Lieuts.  Frank  A.  Armstrong',  Charles.  D.  Fat  or,  Ottb  C.  George,  Richard 
H.  Lee,  Aubrey  L.  Moore,  El  we  11  A.  Sanborn  and  Wm.  P.  .Sloan',  upon  completion  of 
present  course  of  instruction  at  Instructors  School, .Air  Corps  Training  Center, 
Duncan  Field,  Texas,- to  March  Field,  Calif.,  for  duty. 

2nd  Lieut.  Kir t ley  J.  Gregg,  Rockwell  Field,  Calif. ,-  to  Philippines., 
sailing  from  San  Francisco  about  May  29,  1930.  • 

1st  Lieut.  Stanley  M.  Umstead,  Mitchel  Field,  to- Bolling  Field,  D.C. 

• 2nd  Lieuts,.  Horace  Hudson  White,  Air  Corps  Reserve,  active,  duty  extended, 
to  October  9,  1930. 

2nd  Lieuts.  Norman  Lee  Barr -and  Horace  Hudson  White,  Air  Corps  Reserve, 
Mitchel  Field,  N.Y.  to  Panama  Canal  Zone,  sailing  from  New  York  Febi  21,.  1930. 

Relieved  from  detail- -to  the  Air  Corps;  2nd  Lieut.  Philip  H.  Draper,  Jr., 
to  83rd  Field  Artillery,  Fort  Bemiing,  Ga. 

2nd  Lt.  Thomas  C,  Dolan  to  8th  Infantry,.  Fort  Screven,.' .Ga.  - 5 " 

2nd  Lieuts.  Eugene  Lv  Moseley,  Howell  H.  Jordan  to  Infantry , : 2nd  Division, 
Fort  Sam  Houston,.. Texas.  2d. Lt . Milton  A.  Acklen  to  Cavalry,  Ft.  Clark,  Texas. 

2nd  Lieut,  .Edwin  H.J.  Cams  to  1st  Cavalry  Division,  Fort  Clark,  Texas, 

2nd  Lieut.  Samuel  L.  Myers  to  1st  Cavalry  Division,  Fort  D.A.  Russell ,Wyo. 

2nd  Lt.  Henry  L.  Knight  to  3'0th  Infantry,  Presidio,  .of  San  Francisco , Calif . 

Detailed  to  the  Air  Corns' and  to  Primary ’Flying  ^School,  Brooks  Field, dexas, 

March  1,  1930.  'for  training;  2nd  Lieuts.  Martin  Moses,  Infantry;  Robert.  T,. 
Frederick, . Coast  Artillery;  John  0. ' Williams , Thomas' R.  Horton,  Infantry;  1 David 
R.  Gibbs;  Cavalry;  1st  Lt,  Robert  C.  Oliver,  Field  Art.  July  1,  1930. 

Promotions ; Lieut .-Colonel  Clarence  C.  Culver  to  Colonel,  rank  Jan. 18, 1930. 

Major  Henry  B.  Clagett  to  Lieut .-Colonel , rank  February  1,  1930. 

1st  Lieut.  Aubrey  Hornsby  to  Captain,  rank. January  27,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut,  Cornelius  W;  Cousland  to  1st  Lieut.,  rank  January  27,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  Uilliam  E.  Baker  to  1st  Lieut.,  rank  [February  2,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  James  S.  Stowell  to  1st  Lieut.,  rank  December  26,  1929. 

2nd  Lieut.  Arthur  L.  Bump,  Jr.,  to  1st  Lieut., .rank  December  27,  1929. 

2nd  Lieut.  Demas  T, ' Craw  to  1st  Lieut.,  rank  January  3,  1930. 

Retirement;  Brigadier- General  Urn.  E.  Gillmore,  Assistant  to  the  Chief  of 
the  Air  Corps,  upon  his  own  application,  after  more  -than:  30  years’  service, 
effective  June  30,  1930. 

'■  ' - -63- 


V-5990,  A.  C. 


Resignations:  1st  Lieut s . Jamep.H . Doolittle,  ■'Will  Walter  White  and  Carl 
■ Anson  Cover.  ' "••-A 

Reserve  Officers  to  extended  Active  Duty:  To.  .Langley  Field,  Va.  : 2nd  Lt. 
Albert  B.  Duke,  Oklahoma  City,  Olda.  , March  1,1930  to  Feb.  28',  1931;  William 
Gaston  Davis,  March  2 - Ausust  31,  1930;  James.  Nathan  Peyton,  Elizabeth,  N.J, , 
Feb.  20-August  19,  1930;  To  Crispy  Field,  Calif:  2nd  Lt.  Byron  S.  Cooper,  Minot, 
N.D.,,  April  16-June  30,  1930;  Edward  Y.  Pettis  May  2-dctober  31,  1930;  Ray  H. 
Boudreaux, March  2-Sept.  2,  1930;  To  Fort  Crockett,  Texas:  2nd  Lt.  Hernan  C.West, 
July  2- December  31,  1930;  To  Rockwell  Field,  Calif . : 2nd  Lt.  Richard  B.  Stith, 
March  11-Soptember  9,  1930;  To  Chanute  Field,-  111.:  2nd  Lt.  Dean  Bryant  Belt, 
Thornville,  0. , April  1-June  30,1930;  To  Selfridge  'Field,  Mich.:  2nd  Lts.  Horace 
Jeter  Reid,  March  l-Hov.  30,1930;  Morley  F.  Slaght,  Mt . Yornon, Iowa. , March  1- 
December  10,  1930. 

o0o 

LIEUT.  COVER  RESIGNS  FROM  THE  SERVICE 

In  the  resignation  recently  of  1st  Lieut.  Carl  Anson  Cover,  the  Air  Corps 
lost  the  services  of  an -exceptional  engineering  officer  who  was  regarded  as  one 
of  the  best  posted  men  in  the  Air  Corps  on  maintenance  problems,  airplanes  and 
■engines.  “ Throughout  :his  entire  career  as  a commissioned  officer  in  the  Air 
Corps,  Lieut.  Cover’s  services  have  been  highly  commended  by  his  superior  offi- 
cers and  he  was  repeatedly  praised  for  his  energetic  and  enthusiastic  devotion 
to  duty,  his  loyalty  and  his  progressiveness.  Lieut.  Cover  joined  the  forces 
of  the  Douglas  Aircraft  Company  at  Santa. Monica,  Calif .,  to  occupy  the  position 
of  Vice  President  in  charge  of  Sales  and  Development  Engineering. 

Lieut.  Cover .was  born' in  RoXbury,  Pa.,  April  26,  1893.  ■ In  civil  life  he 
failed  various  positions  of.  responsibility  in  steel  and  iron  industries,  and 
was  in  the  employ’ of  the  Bethlehem  Steel  Company  for  two  years  as  Inspector  of 
Munitions.  During  the  World  War,  Lieut.  Cover  enlisted,  August  1,  1917,  in  the 
Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps , . and  was  sent  to  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  where  he 
was  assigned  to  the  110th  Repair  Squadron.  His  energetic  efforts  while  a member 
of  this  organization  won  him  rapid  promotion,  and  he  reached  the  grade  of 
Sergeant,  1st  Class,  in -a  few  months.  In  November,  1917,  he;  was  sent  to  the 
University  of  California,  Berkeley,  Calif. , for  Ground;  School  training.  Upon 
his  graduation  he  was  sent  to  Camp  Dick,  Dallas , Texas , where  he  served  for 
several  months,  following  which  .he  was  transferred  to  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  to 
undergo  flying  training. 

Passing  his  flying  tests  in  June,  1918,'  he.  was  commissioned  a 2nd  Lieut, 
on  the  22nd  of  that  month,  and  after  another  short  term  of  service  at  Camp 
Dick,  he  was.  assigned  to  Brooks  Field,  Texas,  for  duty  as  flying  instructor. 

In  January,  1919,  he  was  transferred  to  Kelly  Field  and  assigned  to  duty  in 
the  Flying  Department . While  at  that  f ield  he  performed  the.  unusual  feat  of 
landing  a DH  plane,  which  had. caught  fire  in  the  air,  with  the  control  stick 
between  his  knees,  his  hands  being  busily  occupied  in  handling  the  pyrene 
can. 

Lieut.  Cover’s  next  assignment  was  as  Engineering  Officer  at  Langley  Field, 
Va. , which  position  he  occupied  for  nearly  four 'years.  In  January,  1924,  he 
was  a.ssigned  to  duty  as  Officer  in  Charge  of  Air  Service  Maintenance  with  the 
Field  Service  Section  at  Fairfield,  Ohio.  Two'  years  later  he  was  ’ temporarily 
assigned  as  Air  Corps  Representative  at  the  factory  of ‘the  Douglas  Aircraft 
Co.  at  Santa  Monica,  Calif .,  until  his  departure  to  Hawaii  for  duty. 

At  the  time  of  his  separation  from  the  Air  Corps,  Lieut.  Cover  was  credited 
with  approximately  4,000  hours  of  flying.  During  his  service  at  Kelly  Field 
he  performed  considerable  flying  in  connection  with  phtrol  activities  along 
the  Mexican  Border.  At  Fairfield,'  Ohio,' he  was  pilot  and  observer  with  the 
88th  Observation  Squadron,  and  in  Hawaii  he  served  for  two  years  with  the 
72nd  Bombardment  Squadron  arid  the  remaining  portion  of  his  foreign  service 
tour  with  the  4th Observation  .Squadron,  performing  a considerable  amount  of 
bombing. and  observation  work. 

- — -oOo — - 

LIEUT, : WILLN.-  WHITE  GOES  BlCK  .TO. CIVIL  WIFE 

Another  valuable  engineering  officer  who  left  the  Air  Corps  recently  is 
Lieut.  Will  W.  White,  who  accepted  a responsible  position  with  the  Standard  Oil 
Company  of  New  Jersey.  Born  in  Montana,  April  7,  1900,  Lieut.  White  was  a stu- 

-64-  - V-5990,  A. C. 


dent  at  the  University  of' ’-Montand  f or  ■ several,  mouths  until  ho  received  appoint- 
ment to  the  United  States  Military  Academy-;  Graduating  from  the  Academy  on 
June  12,  1922,  and  commissioned  a 2nd  Lieutenant,  ho  was  assigned  to  the 
Primary  Plying  School  at  Erodes  Pie  Id,  - Texas,  .for  training.  He  graduated  -on 
March  15th,  1924,  and  received  the  rating  of  Airplane  Pilot  upon  his  graduation 
' from "the 'Advanced'-Piyilig-  School,  Kelly-  Field,-  Texas,  ..September.  15,.  1924. 

Lieut . White  -’returned  to  Brooks  Pield:. as  Plying-. Instructor,  in  which  . 
'capacity  he'  served- 'uiitil1- July,  1926  , .when  -he  .was  . assigned- to  duty  as  student  at 
'.  the  Air  Corps  Sn^inedrihg School',.  Wright  Pield, ' Dayton,  Ohio.  ..Graduating  in 
June  of- the  following-year  ,'--he  was"as'signed  to  duty  as  Instructor  at,  tho.  United 
States  Military  Academy,  where  he  served  ’until  June, _ 1928,  when  he  entered  the 
Massachusetts 'institute-  l6f.  Technology  for-,  the  purpose,  of  .taking  a post-,  graduate 
course  * ;6f  ono  year  Ih- Ao'rOnauti'cal  Engineering,;  Upon  the  completion  of,  this 
course,  Lieut.  White  was  assigned  to  Wright  Pield,  Dayton,  Ohio,.  ' ..'V 

""  Lieut.  :’White  is  -one'1  of  '-the’  'early omombor.s  of  the  Caterpillar.  Club,; . being 
forced'-  to  resort  to  the'-parachuta-  to  :save' h,is.  life  while  f lying  .af  ’DeH.4B  -plane 
’ over'  Kelly-' Pield,"  Tekafe,':'J’une--’5vl924.-  Engaged-  in  -practice. .format ion' flying 
at  about  1,300  feet  altitude,,  his  -plane  collided  with  the  one  piloted  .by.  lit. 

S .L. ' 'Thompson.’  immediately : after  the-,  terrific -crash  due 'to,  the  impact',  of  tho 
two  ships  they  became  locked  together  and  Lieut.  White's  control 'of  his.  plane 
ceased ; ’theh-°£tttd •■'the-ge  j As  sooh' as-  he  ascertained  .this  fact  and  noting  that  the 
two  Ships  ‘ seemed  fo-  be  :ln;-ah  -almost  - vertical  dive  towards  the  "earth,,  'lie  attempt- 
ed to  jump  from  the  cockpit.  Standing  on  the  -pilot’s  seat  and  placing  his  hands 
on  the  cowling  he  tried  to  push  himself  clear,,  but,  whether  from  freight  o.r 
force  of  gravity,  he  was  unable  to  do  so.  'finding' himself  unable  to-  jump-f rom 
the ‘ship,  hC  pullOd" the 'ring  of  his- .-parachute- and  immediately  felt  himself 
gent ly  - lif t ed: ' clear'  and-  saw  the-  tail ;•  surface s : of  _ the  -plane  slowly,  gl ide^  away 
beneath  him. 

As -he  hedred  the  earthy  it-;  seemed  t-o  Lieut,  White,  as  though"  he  Was  going  to 
land  directly-  on"  top  of -the  wheeks^o  of  ■ the;  two... .ships  which- had.  crashed  and, 
fearing-  that  - they  would'  burn,  - he;,  grasped . the  shroud . lines  on-  one  side"  pf  ’the 
IDarachute  and  slix^ped:  a.  distance  of ; about  200  feet  away  ‘from--  the  .spot  where  the 
ships-"  struck.'  Unfortunately,- Lieut.  Thompson  was-,  either,  stunned  by '.the  force  of 
•the  collision  "O-r  was,  unbble  . to  gp-t  out- pf  the  lower  ship  and  was  instantly 
killed.-  • ' • 

r In  regard  to  the  pensations  experienced  during,  this-  jump.,  Lieut.  White 
stated-  "It  seemed  the  natural’  thing-,  to-  do.,  1.  remember  a,  surprise  at  the  quiet 
during’  the  descent,  ahd-  even  .greater  surprise  at.  the-  unexpected  easy  landing. 

The  'experience  has -led  me  to.  believe  that- one  -needs  no  practice  or  coaching 
about  the- use  of  the  parachute if  the  time  e-ver  comes  to  use  it,  one  will  do  it 
more  dr  less  instinctively. 11 

, . . oOOrr , 

TaE^.’SAfB'fdEdtD  lAitoire -.jit -two  days  - 


■ Three-  forced  landings  In  -two  days-, is  the,-. record  of  Lt-.,D.T..  Spivey,  student 
at  Brooks  Field,  v/ho  climaxed  the  performance  by-.. escaping,  unscathed  .when  his 
plane  was  conrple tely; demolished  in* trying.. to  land  in  a very  small  field  recently. 
;Lt.  -Spivey  .-started.. out  with  , the  .cross-country  flight  of  Brooks  Field -students  to 
; Galveston,-.  Texas , but  'was  ’forced  down  hear  Wee dham  -by '.a.. broken  gas'  line.  By  the 
time^he  had  repaired' the  lino , "nio'st’of  his -'gas  was  gone. and  not -having  - had  time 
to  pick  out  a landing  place  near  any  filling  stations  he  had  to  borrow. as  much 
gas  as  ’he  could'f  rom  /some;: -pas  sing  motorists;-  -Taking  off -.again.,,  hotheaded' for 
Houston,  Texas,  because  he  thought  he  did  not  have  "enough  gets  to' gbt.  to  his  des- 
tination, : Shortly  aftprwa.rds -he  discovered  he  did  not  have’  enough-' to  -get  to 
Houston  and  made  a' second' forced  landing' a few’ miles' 'outside  of  that':  city.  This 
time, , he  was  able. -to , get  sufficient  fuel  to  reach  Galveston,  who re 'he  stooped 
overnight.  A - 


....J/pon^his  return  to  . Brooks  Field  he'  was-  -'Commended- for: his  persistence  . in 
seeking  his ' objective  and  managing- ’two  forced  landings , without  mishap'.  In  the 
afternoon  he  was*  assigned,  to:  formation. -flying,  Kie- formation  returned  to.  the 
field  at  about  3 :.O0. p, m. , but  before  reaching' his- de-stihatlon  ;the  motor  of  his 
DH  plane  went  bad,  and  for  the  third  time  he  hurriedly ' scanned  the  ground^  below 
in  search  of . a . convenient  pasture  * The.,  only  one  available  was  a small  one,  bor- 
aered  by- trees.  _ Lieut.  Spivey  managed  i 0" land, ; but  when-'  he ' did'  so  the  plane 
separated  into  its  ‘component  parts  and-  assorted  small  bits-.-.  r~ 

"Three' t Mes  and  out,"  observed: -Ltt  .Spivey:^-, -he_, disentangled  hirnseif  from 
the  wreckage,  checked -himself  over  to.  see?  if  ■ he  -was  ptill'  complete,  and  waved 
the  rest  of  the  flight,  now  circling  overhead-,  back  to  the  field.'  Somewhat 
later  he  .returned,  to  Brooks  none  the  worse  for  the-  crash,  -although-  one 'glance  at 
the  wreck  was  enough  to  convince  officials  at : the  field  that  the  -plane  was  not 
worth  .repairing.  -6B-  7-5990,  A.C. 


NOTES  FROM  AIR  CORPS  FIELDS 
0O0- — 

Bolling  Field,  Anacostia,  D.C.,  Feb.  10th. 

The  recent  death  cf  Cs.pt.  Harry  A.  Dinger,  Engineering  Officer,  was  most 
keenly  felt  hy  the  entire  personnel  of  Bolling  Field.  Every  man  deeply  regrets 
the  loss  of  Capt . Dinger  and  the  fine  quality  of  his  guidance  and  leadership. 

Recent  assignments  at  Bolling  Field  include  those  of  1st  Lieut.  George  p. 
Tourtellot  as  Engineering  Officer  and  2d  Lieut.  James  A.  Willis,  Jr.,  as  Assist- 
ant Engineering  Officer. 

Capt.  Ira  C.  Eaker,  piloting  an  0-1,  with  Mr.  H.J.  Adamson  of  Secretary 
Davison’s  office,  as  passenger,  left  Bolling  Field  at  6:30  A.M.  February  9th, 
for  San  Francisco. 

Mr.  Sgt.  James  F.  (Jimmy)  Smyth  was  retired  from  the  Service  on  January 
23d,  after  thirty  years’  service,  fifteen  of  which  were  in  the  Air  Corps.  The 
Air  Corps  Detac?oment  gave  Sgt.  Smyth  a farewell  Smoker  on  the  night  of  the  23d. 
He  will  make  his  home  in  San  Diego,  California. 

Lieut.  Bushrod  Hoppin,  Personnel  Adjutant  at  Bolling  Field,  was  recently 
ordered  to  dutjr  in  the  Philippine  Islands. 

Lieut.  L.S.  Stranathan  flew  the  C-9  to  Mitchel  Field  on  February  9th, 
transporting  four  Congressmen  to  New  York  to  attend  the  Aeronautical  Show. 

Nichols  Field.  Rizal,  P.I.,  Jan.  9th. 

Maj.  W.G.  Kilner  has  started  his  sequence  of  detached  service  and  leave 
before  completing  his  tour,  at  which  time  he  will  sail  for  the  United  States 
via  Europe. 

Golf  held  the  spotlight  during  December.  Lieut.  "Gus"  Shea  won  the  Army 
Championship  and  was  runner-up  in  the  Philippine  Open.  Lieut.  Chapman  finish- 
ed high  up  in  both.  Lieut.  Paul,  Major  Kilner  and  Lieut.  Hamlin  also  brought 
glory  to  Nichols  Field.  "Gus"  Shea’s  golfing  is  a sensation.  He  took  best 
medal  in  the  Army  qualifying  round  with  a "One  forty-four" . In  the  finale  his 
opponent,  Colonel  Parrot,  had  him  one  down,  match  pi ay,  at  the  end  of  the  first 
eighteen  holes.  After  lunch,  "Gus"  settled  down  and  the  match  ended  on  the 
thirteenth  ho le . In  the  Philippine  Open,  medal  play,  " — some  little  thing 
went  wrong"  on  one  round,  giving  him  a terrible  "Seventy-eight".  Starting  the 
last  eighteenth  holes  in  second  place,  but  five  down  to  the  leader,  Lady  Luck 
seemed  to  deny  him  par  and  birdies  and  at  the  end  cf  the  first  nine  holes  he 
was  seven  down.  Even  though  it  was  too  late  to  win,  "Gus"  hung  on  and  played 
the  last  nine  two  under  par  with  three  birdies.  His  gallery  was  afforded  the 
opportunity  of  witnessing  some  very  pretty  shots. 

28th  Bombardment  Squadron:  The  flying  of  our  Bombers  was  considerably 
curtailed  this  month  because  of  the  impracticability  of  using  the  Bombers  for 
anything  but  tactical  training.  However,  the  squadron  carried  on  with  the 
Amphibians  and  one  transport , 

Lieut.  Wells  is  back  from  one  month’s  trip  to  China. 

2d  Observation  Squadron:  During  the  first  three  weeks  of  December,  the 
2d  Observation  Squadron  pilots  and  observers  were  kept  busy  storing  up  flying 
hours . 

Tow  target  missions  with  the  60th  A.C.  at  Corregidor  were  carried  out 
satisfactorily. 

Numerous  cross-country,  navigation,  Liaison,  radio,  engineering  and 
photo  missions  were  made. 

Preparations  were  completed  for  the  maneuvers  with  the  Philippine  Divi- 
sion, taking  place  early  in  January. 

66th  Service  Squadron:  Lieut.  Earl  S.  Hoag  who  returned  from  leave  in 
China  and  Japan,  reported  a pleasant  and  interesting  trip. 

Cant . Pursley  and  Lieut . Joe  Smith  spent  the  Christmas  holidays  in 
Baguio . 

Speaking  of  Joe  Smith,  a very  amusing  thing  occurred  early  in  December. 
Joe  returned  from  a tow  target  mission  for  the  -60th  C.A. , anti-aircraft  ma- 
chine-gun firing,  landed  his  "duck"  and  signed  his  sheet  "motor  and  plane  OK". 
Mechanics  later  found  that  a bullet  had  penetrated  the  hull.  The  60th  C.A. 
says  a man  got  excited  and  fired  at  the  plane. 

6th  Photo  Section:  Since  the  arrival  of  the  Transport  "Meigs",  the  sec- 

V-5990, A.C. 


- 66  - 


tion  lias  been  working  at  top  speed  due  tc  an  accumulation  of  photographic 
■projects  that  could  not  be  completed  on  account  of  a shortage  of  photographic 
paper  and  materials. 

A mosaic  of  approximately  100  square  miles  was  photographed  at  Batangas 
Bay  and  vicinity  for  use  in  connection  with  the  Philippine  Departmental  Annual 
Maneuvers  taking  place  early  in  January.  Additional  sets  of  this  mosaic  are 
being  delivered  to  various  Departments  of  the  Army  for  their  use  at  that  time. 
Various  miscellaneous  aerial  photos  were  taken  during  the  month  in  and  around 
Manila  for  the  Intelligence  Department  and  for  publicity  purposes. 

Headquarters,  4th  Composite  C-roup:  During  the  past  month,  Headquarters 
Detachment  developed  a seemingly  impregnable  base-bail  team,  which,  although 
composed  of  the  members  of  a comparatively  miniature  organizations,  defeated 
the  champions  of  the  past  year  with  only  the  slightest  competition.  It.  is  sin- 
cerely hoped  t:  at  stronger  teams  from  our  neighboring  organizations'  will  be 
put  into  the.  field  so  that  cur  team  may  become  more  interested. 

Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif.,  Feb.  5th . 

Col.  H.J.  Brees,  I.G.D.,  Corps  Area  Inspector,  Ninth  Corns  Area,-  arrived 
January  13th,  for  the  purpose-  of  making  the  annual  survey  and  inspection  of 
Rockwell' /Field  and  the  Rockwell  Air  Depot.  Colonel  Brees  departed,  for  March 
Field  on  the  14th,  and  returned  to  Rockwell  Field,  January  23d,  remaining  here 
until  January  27th. 

General  Frank  P.  Lahm,  Commanding  General  of  the  Air  Corps  Training  Center, 
San  Antonio,  Texas,  paid  a visit  to  Rockwell  Field  on  January  27th. 

Major  A.L.  Sneed  and  Lieut s.  R.  Baez,  C.P.  Kane  and  S.M.  Robbins,  returned 
to  the  Rockwell  Air  Depot,  January  22d,  from  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  they  attended 
the  Annual  Engineering-Supply  Conference. 

The  Officers*  Club,  Rockwell  Field,  entertained  on  January  ,17th,  with  an 
elaborate  dance  in  honor  of  the  graduates  of  the  Air  Corps  Advanced  Flying 
School,  Class  of  *-29,  who  recently  joined  this  command  for  a year*s  active  duty, 

A delightful  bridge  party  was  given  at  the  Officers*  Club,  January  14th, 
Lieut,  and  Mrs.  Robert  E.  Se  Iff  and  Lieut . and  Mrs.  B:.R.  Dallas,  acting  as 
hosts  and  hostesses.  Appro ximately  fifty  officers  and  their  wives  attended. 

Langley  Field,  Hamm ton,  Va.,  February  7th . 

Langley  Field  had  a touc?n  of  real  winter  during  the  last  few  days  of  Jan- 
uary. Snow  started  to  fall  on  the  afternoon  of  the  29th,  and  until  the  next 
night  a more  or  less  continuous  blizzard  was  in  progress.  Snow  drifts,  some 
two  feet  deep,  hindered  traffic  for  a couple  of  days1,  and  gave  the  personnel 
of  the  Post  the  unusual  sight  of  seeing  an  inrorovised  snow  plow  in  action. 
Anyway,  the  kiddies  enjoyed  the  snow  and  many  Christmas  sleds  previously  un- 
used made  their  appearance. 

The  Inter-Squadron  Basketball  Championship  of  the  Field  was  won  by  the 
49th  Squadron,  which  lost  only  one  game  cut  of  the  nine  played.  Competition 
for  the  honor  was  keen,  and  the  equality  of  the  teams  created  an  unusual  amount 
of  interest  on  the  part  of  the  personnel! 

The  Post  Basketball  Team  opened  its  season  with  a two -game  series  with  the 
Quant  Icq  Marines.  The  first  game,  played  on  January  29th,  resulted  in  a win 
for  the  Marines  by  the  score  of  24  to  18.  It  was  an  extremely  interesting  game 
and  furnished  an  exhibition  of  some  of  the  finest  floor  work  any  one  would  care 
to  see.  The  victory  was  in  doubt  up  until  t?ne  last  three  minutes  of  play,  when 
with' a twp  point  lead,  the  Marines  succeeded  in  caging  two  more  goals  in  quick 
succession. 

The  following  night  the  Birdmen  came  back  strong*  taking  the- lead  early  in 
the  first  quarter  and  never  at  any  time- being- in  any  danger  of  losing  it.  They 
defeated  the  Marines  by  the  decisive  score  of  32  to  17. 

The  team,  coached  by  Lieut.  Grater,  promises  to  give  an  excellent  account 
of  itself  during  the  remainder  of  the  season,  and  to  give  the  personnel  the  same 
right  to  be  proud  of  its  record  as  we  are  of  the  record  oihour  football  team. 

The  Triangular  League , which  includes  Langley  Field,  Ft..  Monroe  and  Ft. 
Eustis,  opened  its  season  February  5th,  with  Ft.  Monroe  playing  on  Langley* s 
floor.  Ft.  Eustis  will  then  be  met  at  Eustis  on  February  12th  and  on  February 
15th  Langley  will  invade  Ft.  Monroe,  The  final  game  of  the  series  will  be 
played  on  February  22d  with  Ft.  Eustis  at  Langley  Field. 

- 67  - 


V-5990,A.D 


* c'- " & mbar Cmon t group ; The  officers  rested  ground  school  studies  and  are  delving  4 
into  the;  principles  of  Coast  Artillery,  under  the  very  capahle  instruction  o‘f  ' v';  ', 
Major  Metzger,  C.A.C.  - -,d 

Several  enlisted  men.; from  the  Group  were  forced  to  continue  their  - journey  A . 
to  Chanute  Field  via  the  railroad  when  Lieut.  H.S.  Hansell . made"  an  unfortunate’  • 
take-off  from  Burgess  Field  and  left  part  of  his  lower  wing  on  a fence.  All- 
personnel were  reported  uninjured. 

Lieuts.  Bivins,  Wolf inbar ger  and  O’Connor  recently  returned  from  a two- 
weeks’  engineering  conference- at  Dayton. 

Lieuts.  Huggins  and  Steele.,  were  forced  to'  dismantle  a PT-1  and  return,  to. 
Langley  Field  with  it  by  train  when  the  motor  froze  and  let  them  down  near  Lott  a*  f 
S.C. 

Pvt.  R.T.  Miller,  of  Croup  Headquarters  was  ordered  to  report  to  ’Brooks 
Field  to  begin  flying  training  with  the  March  1st  Class.  • • 

96th  Squadron:  With  the  arrival  of  B-2  Airplane  Ho.  29-37,  the  total  ' num-  ' 
ber  of  this  type  of  airplane  in  the  squadron. is  now  ten.  _hy  careful  maneuvering 
it  is  possible  to  put  five  of  these  planes  in  each  of  the - new  hangar  s * Consid- 
ering the  fact  that  the  combined  efforts  of  thirty  men  are  required  to  lift  one 
of  these  ships  into  a dolly,  the  amount  of  flying  seems  rather  problematical! 

19th  Airship  Conroanr ; On  the  17th,  the  .jpC-6,'  Lieut.'  Starkey,  pilot,  made  .•  \ 
a reconnaissance  flight. and- on  the  20th.  a navigation  flight  and  interception 
problem  in  cooperation  with  the  Air  Corps  Tactical  School  were  completed.  Majl 
Van  Nostrand,  Air  Corps  Tactical  School,  piloted  the  TC.-6  on  the  , last  flight  . • 1 

A total  of  nine  flights  were  made  during,  the  past  week  despite  the  snow, 
rain  and  high  winds.  , . ...  ' 

Ma j . Kennedy  of  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the’  Air  Corps,  made  three 
flights  on  Monday,  Jan.  27th  in  the  TC-S,  including  one  havigat ion  flight  of 
two  hours.  General  Cole,  Commanding  Fort  Fust  is,-,  was  a -passenger  pf  this  ( 
flight.  The  remainder  of  this  schedule  consisted  of  motor  tests,  practice 
flights  and  a navigation  mission  in  the  TC-6  with  Lieut.  Buie,  pilot. 

Crissy  Field,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Calif.,  Feb.  7th. 

During  the  holiday  period  there  were  many  visitors  present 'for  local 
parties  and  celebrations.  Due  to  a strong  cross-wing. -on  Cr.issy  Field,  the 
visiting  pilots  were  highly  entertained  in  Subduing  their  fractious  -mounts ; 

No  damage  was  done  other  than-,  to  - rasped  tempers  and  the  English  language. 

Our  biggest  influx  of  guests -arrived  within  a few /days  prior  to  the  Army- 
Stanford  game,  December  28th.  Spice  was  added.'  to.  this  contest  by  inclement 
weather  throughout  the  State,  said  weather  resulting"  in  the  non-appearance 
of  one  Pursuit  pilot.  Pity  Lieut^  Gregg ' of ' Rq ckwell  Field,  seated  domfortably- 
in  the  stadium  in  anticipation  of  a rare  old  contest ’ and  then  to  find  himself  ' 
precipitated  from  said  comfortable  seat  into' the  rear  cockpit  of  an  02-H  on  ■ 
its  way  to  Taft  to  establish  a base  f-or  a searching  party.  After  his  quivering 
lids  were  dried  and  he  was  sleeping  soundly,'  he  did  not  mind  the  trip  so  much. 

Among  our  prominent  guests  were  Maj.  Clarence  M. 'Young,  Assistant  Secre- 
tary of  Commerce  for  Aeronautics;  Major  Harmon  from  March  Field;  Major  .Spate 
from  Rockwell  Field,  and  Major  Arnold  from  Wright  Field.  There  were  over  fifty 
visiting  planes  of  both  Army  and  Navy  on  the.  Field  during  the'  holidays'.  Our 
pilots  also  fared  forth  into  the  wide  -world  .over  the  Yule  tide  season  oh  such 
cross-country  flights  as  cur  equipment  would  permit. 

During  the  month  of  January,  one  of  our  chief  military  concerns  was  in  co- 
operative missions  with  other  branches  of  the  Arm;'-  and  with  the  Navy.  Two 
ships  left  on  January  12th  and  proceeded  to  Rockwell  Field  for  Joint  -Army  and 
Navy  Cooperative  Missions.  These .missions  were  satisfactorily  accomplished 
despite  our  refractory  radio  sets,  Lieut.  A.L.  Smith,  A.C.,  was  in  command. 

We  also  carried  on  missions,  with  the  2nd  Battalion,  76th  Field  Artillery,  the 
11th  Cavalry  at  Monteroyand -the,  30th-  Infantry  at  Ft . Funs  ton. 

We  were  -delighted  to  welcome.  General.  Frank  P.  Lahm.upcn  his  arrival'  at 
this  station,  January*  28th  in  :an.  02.-.J,  It  was  too  bad  he  stayed  such  a short 
time  with  us,  as  he  has 'many,  friends  in  the  Bay  district.. 

- -68  V-5990,A.C. 


i; 


Langley  'Field,  Hampton;- Va. . Feb . 18  th. 


The  Lahgle'y' Field  Basketball  team  on  its  own  floor  easily  defeated  the 
It.  Monroe  Artillerymen  in  the  opening  game,  for  the  championship  of  the  south- 
ern half  of  the  Third  -Corps-  Area  by:  a score  of  49  to  25.  The  Aviators  took 
•the  lead' at  the  start  of-  the  battle  and  maintained  it  throughout . The  passing 
hnd  floor-work  of  the  whole  Langley  team  was  the  best  seen’ on  the  local  floor 
'this-  seasoil.  ■■ 

The  aviators  took  the  bail  down  the  floor,  time  after  time,  easily  break- 
ing1 through  the  Ft.  Monroe  defense  0 Schubert  was  high  man  for  Langley,  with 
'six  field -goals . Grater-,  with  nine  points,  and  Carlton  and  Eckert-  with  eight 
■each, :krere:;the  runner s-up.  -Bat ton  was  high  scorer  for  -Ft . Monroe  with  five 
field  goals  and  two  fouls,  a total  of  12  points.  Clever -guarding  on  the  part 
’ of  the  Langley  team  held  Ft'.  Monroe  safe  at  all  stages  of  the-  contest . 

The  Langley  Field  Basketball  team  defeated  Et.  Monroe  for  the  second  time 
in  the  Inter-Post  series  for  the  championship  of  the  Southern  District  of  the 
Third  Corps  Area  on  the  Ft . Monroe  Y.M.C-.A..  floor,  by  the  score  of  65  to  59. 

'The -'bat tie  was  one  of : the  -hardest'  fought’  games  of  the  series,  Et . Monroe  being 
on  the  long  end  of  the  score  at  the  end  of  the  first -half  by  the  score  of 
27  to  21. 

Twice  in  the  second' half,  Langley  Eield  came  from 'behind  to  tie  the  score, 
a series  of  brilliant -plays  resulting  in  a drawn- decision -at  the  end  of  the 
-regular' playing  period,  each  team  having  scored  59  points  . 

• ■ In  the  extra  five-minute  period  was  added, -Langley  Field  gained  the  deci- 
sion by  adding  six  points  while  the  Artillerymen  were  unable  to  better  their 
count . 

The  contest  was  one  of  the  heaviest  scoring  ones-  of  the  scries,  the  close- 
ness of  the  game  keeping  the  large  ercWd-un  attendance  at  a high  pitch  of  ex- 
citement. White  was  the  stellar  performer'  for  the  Aviators , garnering  a total 
of  13  field  goals  .and  four  fouls  f ar-'-iitdtal  Count  of  30,  - almost  half  the  score 
of  the  entire  team.'  Schubert,  fellow-worker  at  the  forward  position,  also 
played  a star  game  as  did  Ko wale ski  at  guard. 

Wade  was  the  chief  point-maker  for  the  Artillerymen,  with  nine  field  goals 
and  a foul,  Mathews',  Holder  and  Button  also  scored  heavily  for  Et.  Monroe. 
Personal  fouls  removed  several  of  the  Et , Monroe  players  from  the  game,  Langley 
Eield  tallying  nine  points  by  the  foul  route. 

Winning  the  two  games  gives  Langley  Eield  a slight  edge,  the  Aviators  suf- 
fering:, their  only  reverse,  at  the  hands  ..'Et •.  'EuSt-is  * The  Railway  Artillerymen 

won  one  and  lost  one  while  Et . Monroe  lost  two  to  Langley  Field  and  won  one  from 
Et.  Eustis.  Langley  Field  will- have,  to  defeat  "Eti  Eust is • in'  their  second  game 
in  order  to  maintain  her  position  at  the  top -of  "the 'column-. 

2d  Bombardment  Groups  • The  Group  having  completed  all'  5000  feet  instruc- 
tion' bombing,  started  bombing- -f rom  8000  feet.  Due  to  the  necessity  of  using 
50-pound  bombs,  the  officers  are  encountering  some  difficulty  in  doing  consist- 
ently accurate  bombing.' 

The  officers  of  the  Group  completed  a course  in  Coast  Artillery  under  the 
instruction  of  Major  Metzger  of  the  Air  Corps  Tactical  School-.- 

LieutV  J.W.-  Hammond  waS"  appointed  Group  Adjutant,  to  succeed  Lieut.  A.J. 

Her win  Malone. 

Lieut's.  J.P.  Eyan  and  Casper-  West  have  each  taken  the  30 -day  leave  al- 
lowed them  before  accepting  their  commissions  a.S  Second  Lieutenants  in  the 
Regular  Arm:7-. 

Lieut.  D.D.  Hale,  Group  Personnel  Adjutant,  was  elected  Secretary-Treas- 
urer of  the  Officers*  Club  for  the  year  1930.  . 

Mujor  Lawrence  S.  Churchill  received  orders  to  report  to  the  Chemical 
Warfare-  School  at  Edge  wood  Arsenal,  Md. 

Major  John  H.  'Reynolds  assumed  command  of  the  Second  Bombardment  Group 
pending  the  return  of  Major  Hugh  J.JKhorr,  nov/  on  leave. 

Second  Lieut s. * * Willard  R . Wo Iflnbarger  - and 'A  „ J . Kerwin  Malone , ordered 
to  foreign  service  in  the  Philippines,  will  sail  from  Hew  York  on  May  7th. 

Lieut.  Wolf Inbar ger  was  stationed  at  Langley  Field  for  about  three  years  and 
Lieut.  Malone  for  about  'three  and  a half  years. 

Second  Lieut . -William  A.  Matheny  of  the  49th' 'Bombardment  Squadron,  winner 
of  the  Cheney  Award  for  1929,  was  also  awarded  the'Soldier ?s  Medal. 

....  ; . “ V . ..  “ 69  - 7-5990, A. C. 


19th  AirsM-p  Company:  Flying  for' 'the  we'%  .ending  February  .■7tli,",'wh;i'ch, -was 
limited  to  three  days*  activities,  consisted  of  a total  of  15  flights,  includ-  i 
ing  2 cross-country,  '1  ■photographic.; > 1 reconnaissance,  1 free  balloon 'flight 
and  10  practice'  flights."'  " • "■ 

On  the  6th,  Capt.  Im.J.  Flood,  O.C.A.C.,  and  2nd  Lieut.  T.B.  Starkey  made 
-a  cross-country  f light- to- Washington,  D.C, , and  return  in  the-TC-6.  While  in 
'Washington^  a photographic  mission  was  flown  ever  the  Lincoln  Memorial.  Lieut. 
Jordan,  O.C.A.C.,  made  the  return  flight  to  Langley  as  pilot,  relieving  ;Gapt . 
Flood.  : • • 

1st  Lieut . W-.D.  Buie,  with -2nd  Lieut . I..-L.  Colmah,  96th  Bomb.  Squadron,  as 
- passenger, -made  a free  balloon  training  flight 'on  the-  4th,  taking  off;  from 
Langley  at  10:15  A.M.,  and'  landing"  near,  Richmond,  Va-.,  at  2:35  ;P.M,  ..-  , 

Capt  . Lester  ,T‘.  Miller,,  who  hafs;  been  on  . a 15-day  leave  of  absence, : arrived  : 
on  the  6 th  and  assumed- command  of  the  .Company,  relieving  1st  Lieut  M .E.  He  Hugo . 

1st  Lieut.'  U.C-.  Erit*  left  the  -Company  on. February  1st ; for;  March-  Field,  Cal., 
where  he  will  enter  the  primary  Flying  School  for  heavier -than-air  training. 

Flying  activities  ofythis  organization . for  the  week  ending  February: 14th 
included  flights  for  training  -in:  navigation  and  aerial  conmnanicatid.il v- • one 
flight  in  cooperation  with  the  National  Advisory  Committee , for  Aeronautics-, and 
an  experimental  flight.  . 

r ' Three  'navigation' training ‘flights  were' made  in  the'  -T 0^6:  with  May..  P.E.  Van  : 
:Uo strand,  Ghpt.  L.T.  Miller  and- 1st' Lieut  A-'W-.B.  Buie,  .pilots,.  On-- the'.  11th  a 
test  flight  was  made  in  the  TC-6'  for  the  purpose  of  .testing' the  rate  of  decel- 
eration. Mr.  Kirs chbaum , Mr. . Collier  and  Mr.  Glass  of  the  N.A.C.A.  conducted 
-the  test.-  . x.-r 

1st  Lieut.  W.D.  Buie  made  an  experimental  flight  in  the  TE-2  on  , the  11th 
to  test  the  utility  of : the  small  type  ship  as  a motorized  observation  balloon. 

•■2nd  Lieut.  W.J.  McCracken,  Air-Res.,  7/ho  has'  been  on  Detached  Service  at 
Ft  . Bragg,  N.C .,  since  Jan.  11th,  returned  on  the  12th.  While  at  Jt-  Bragg, 
Lieut.  McCracken'  with  a detail  of  5 men  from  this  organization  flew  an  obser- 
vation balloon  in  cdoperat-idn  with  the  Artillery,  making  ten  flights  and  com- 
pleting a total  of  six  missions. 

Plie  19th  Soccer  Learn  lost  a well  played  game-  to  the  Newport  News  Team 
last-  Sunday  on  the  Soldiers  Home'  Field.,  the  final  score  being  4 .to  1.  The-- 
19th : team  did  not1  play,  up;  to  its' usual  form  and  with  several ; hew  faces  in  ’ the 
line  up  were  unable  to  step  the  fast  play  of  the  Newport  News  Team* 

"San  Antonie  Air  De-oct,  Duncan -Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,.  Feb.-  17th. 

Capt.  S.J.  Idzerek  of  the  3d  Attack  Group  at  Ft . Crockett, -Texas,  was  a 
visiter  at  this  Depo t,-' on  cro'.ss -country,  on  February  .4th. 

Capt.  Otto-  G1  Trunk under  orders  for  transfer  to  the  Panama  Canal  Depart- 
ment, has  been  on  -duly  at  the  Deuct  since  May  12,  1927.  Capt.  Trunk  .and  family 
departed  -frok  -;th-is-lstdt:ion-'On.Feb.-  'Tth-'.^n  a leave  of  absence,  visiting  in  Cali- 
fornia, before  sailing  from  San  Francisco  on  c-r  about  April  12th.  They  are 
accompanied  by  the  sincerest  wishes  of  - ‘"their  v.many  friends  , in  this  vibinity  for 
happiness  in 'their  new  location. 

A group  of 'about  fifteen  young  aeronautical  enthusiasts  ameng  the  students 
of  Brackenridge  High  School,  San  Antonie,  made  a sightseeing  .trip  through-  the 
Engineering  - Shops  of.  the  Depot  on  February  15th,  - expressing  .intense  interest 
over  their  view  cf  seme  of  the.  inside  workings  cf  aircraft  construction.- 

During  January  the  Engineering  Department  cf  the  Depot  overhauled  and  re- 
paired the  following  .airplanes  and  engines::-  Airplanes:  Overhaul  - 2 A-3,  3 
DH-4M-1 , 2 DH-4M-2T , 1 0-2,  1 0-2-C,  4 Pl-D,  1 PW-9-C,  1 PW-9-D,  11  FT -3,  3 
PT-3A,  Total  29:  Miscellaneous  Repair : 1 A-3,  1 C-9 , 1 0-2-H,  1 XA-l,Total,4. 

Engines:  Major  Overhaul  - 20  Curtiss  D-12,  19  Wright  J-5,  Tctal  39:- 
■Minor  overhaul:  12  Liberty,  1 Curtiss  D-12,  1 Wright  J-6,  total  14. 

Crissv  Field,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco.,  Calif.,  Feb.  16th . 

Dur ing, - the  period  ,ff cm  January  15th  to  February  15th  several  cooperative 
missions  were  completed,  among  which  -were  two  with  the  Navy.  The  first  brie, 
on  January  23d,  employed  Li euts.  Hansen  and, Ball  in  the  ".Duck"  and  a Naval  ves- 
sel off  * the  coast  near  the'  Far  rallon  Islands ..  . The  second  occurred  February  5th  J 
In  the  "Ducks'!  on  that  occasion  were  Lieuts.  Meyer  and  Brown.  In  both  cases 
problem  No.  4 of  tie  Joint  Army  and  Navy  Cooperation  Maneuvers  was  successfully  [ 

- 70  - V-5990,A.C. 


accomplished.  Lieut.  Cooper  towed  a sleeve  target  at  Ft.  Funston  for  anti- 
aircraft, rifle  and  machine  gun  practice  by  members  of  the  30th  Infantry,  while 
Lieuts . Lackey,  and  Fenander  demonstrated  to  the  11th  Cavalry  at.  the  Presidio  of 
Monterey  the  possibilities  of  Attack  Aviation,  in 'addition  to  conducting:  the 
fife  of  the  2d  Bn.  of  the  76th  Field  Artillery  at-  the  same  post. 

Capt.  Kraus  and  Lieut.  Wilkins  travelled  to  Rockwell  Field  on  January  19th, 
combining  cross-country  training  with  a conference  at  the  Depot  in'  reference  to 
supply  and  engineering  mat tors . 

All  hands  participated  in  an  inspection  and  aerial  review  ordered  by  Capt. 
Kraus  for  January  24th.  Even  the  roaring  PT-1’ s bored  holes  in  the  atmosphere'. 

A dinner  and;  dance  was  given  in  honor  of  Col.  and  Mrs.  Gerald  C.  Brant  on 
January  27th  by  the  officers  and. ladies  of  Crissy  Field  as  a gesture  of  our  ap- 
preciation of  and  regard  for  our  former  C.O.  It  was  with  our  best  wishes  for 
them  at  their  new  station,  Mltchel  Field,  that  Col  and  Mrs.  Brant  sailed 
through  the  Golden  Gate,  aboard  the  U.S.A.T.  "Cambrai",  escorted  by  all  avail- 
able aircraft  and  our  speed  boat. 

Lieut.  Cullen  wanted,  to  go  to  Pearson  Field,  Washington,  when  he  left  here 
the  morning  of  Feb.  1st,  but  was  thankful  later  on  in  the  day  to  be  able  to  set 
down  at  Medford,  Oreg.,  having  turned  back,  and  around,  in  Grants .Pass,  Oregon. 

On  February  4th  Lieut.  Jenkins  wandered  down  to  Rockwell  Field,  solo,  for 
cross-country  training  in  a C-l.  Shortly  after  his  arrival  he  was  surprised 
to  learn  that  his  landing  gear  was  suffering  an  acute  case  of  "misalignitis" 
and  that  a new  landing  gear. was  necessary.  Pity  the  poor  man  - a long  way  from 
home  and  not  even  a pair  of  roller  skates.  Capt.  Kraus,  however,  took  pity 
on  him  and  hauled  him  back  in  an  02-H. 

Maj.  W.B.  Duty,  A.C.-,  and  family  visited  Lieut.  Bcbzien  for  a week  while 
awaiting  the  transport  to  the  Philippine  Islands. 

Maj.  Millard  F.  Harmon,  Jr.,  Commanding  Officer  of  March  Field,  is  a 
frequent  and  very  welcome  visitor  at  our  field.  We  hope  to  have  him  here  more 
often  in  the  future. 

Self ridge  Field,  Mt . Clemens , Mich . , Feb , 6th . 

17th  Pursuit  Squadron,  A.C . z How  that  the  snowbirds  are  back  from  Spokane 
and  those  who  stayed  behind,  .have  become  resigned  to  listening  to  lies  about  how 
cold  it  was  in  Montana,  the  Seventeenth  reluctantly  admits  that  the  firsfr.  four 
ships  to  arrive  at  Spokane  were  piloted  by  some  of  Our  Boys . Lieut . Shanahan 
took  the  Ford  over  the  Rockies  when,  later,  the  P-1’ s turned  back  and  Lieuts. 
Wolf,  Rogers,  French,  Putt,  Warburtcn  and  G-iOvannoli  covered  themselves  with 
glory  and  ice. 

Lieut.  Theisen  is  back  on  duty  with  the  17th  and  is  receiving  congratula- 
tions on  overcoming  the  handicap  of  a broken  back. 

Outside  of  a few  ferry  trips  to  the  F.A.D.,  Lieut.  Bob  Moor  holds  all 
the  cross-country  records  for.  the  month,  having  made  two  trips  to  Toledo.  The 
weather  has  been  terrible  for  flying  all  month,  and  we  are  all  praying  for  a 
few  days  of  sunshine  during  the  coming  weeks  before  the  maneuvers  at  Sacramento!* 

27th  Pursuit  Squadron,  A.  C. ; Capt.  Lotha  A.  Smith  was  succeeded  by  1st 

Lieut.  Marion  L.  Elliott  as  Commanding  Officer  of  the  27th  Squadron,  when  the 
former  was  ordered  to  duty  with  the  Attack  Group  at  Ft.  Crockett,  Texas.  The 
squadron’s  best  wishes  go  to  Capt.  Smith  at  his  new  post  and  regrets  to  lose  him 

Six  planes  from  the  Squadron  participated  in  the  1st  Pursuit  Group’s  win- 
ter maneuvers  feo  Spokane,  Washington,  and  return.  Lieuts.  Elliott,  Harrington, 
Sanders,  Jacobs,  Straubel  and  Sillin  were  the  pilots. 

94th  Pursuit  Squadron.  A.C . : 1st  Lieut.  Henry,  2nd  Lieuts.  Wurtsmith,  Rhudy 
Underhill,  Bolen  and  Lowry  were  included  in  the  members  making  the  trip  known 
as  the  "Arctic  Patrol",  to  Spokane,  Washington,  returning  to  this  field  on  the 
29th  of  January.  Lieuts.  Crawford  and  Giovannoli,  flying  with  the  94th,  arriv- 
ed with  the  gang,  making  a total  of  seven  of  the  94th  ships  to  complete  the 
trip.  They  all  report  that  they  learned  many  fine  points  in  aviation  on  this 
trip,  also  that  they  were  very  glad  to  get  back  in  what  they  termed  spring 
weather. 

Our  Squadron  Commanded,  1st  Lieut.  Harry  A.  Johnson,  who  returned  January 
26th  from  Hasbrouck  Heights,  U.J.,  where  he  was  making  a test  of  the  new  Fokker 
F-32,  states  that  it  is  a very  fine  ship. 

Upon  the  discharge  of  our  Mess  Sergeant,  William  A.  Metcalf,  Pvt.  1st  Cl. 
William  Hofmann  was  promoted  to  the  grade  of  sergeant  to  take  over  the  duties 

- 71  - V-5990, A.C. 


and  worries  -of.? 4®'®': kUftihn  r and,  if-; grciX;- don*  t- think  hcaisalt making.  a p^Lcpess, 
-j-iist-.  come ' a^oisad'!and- .'look  us-  ■£o&-:  tbere-  is  pc  one.  losing  we’igiit  , 

57th  Sebvxcg'Squadboh.A.C,, : • Is tA;lieut>  James  E ....  Duke Jr  „,  and’ Snd.: Iii’erit . 
Paul  'M%i:;Jadd'bS'  and  .HomeryL-.  Sanders  yrea^e  ^assigned-  to . the;  Spokane  flight ..  wtiiah. 
took  off  from  'tM s'; station  on  January;, 10th.;  ;Lt-;.Buke  piloted  ene  of.  tde'twd, 
■Ford"  ThahspOrts;r..whihe  Lieut  Jacq.hs.  and  Lisutv  Sanders-  flew  P-iX.s'  ip,., the’  Pur- 
suit:  flight  . They  returned;  -from-'  the  flight;  en;  January.. 29-th.  ' • ' . , 

The  squadron  basketball  team  has  had  an  xpnusually  succepsful  se;aSQn'.^t|ip[s 
farj"' being-- :-undef dated  in  six -startsf^nv, 

■'I&tciy  -'orders  ;ptihlishc^<'Jsaiiiary  1.8th  announced,  the  appointment  of' 2nd.  Lieut. 
Francis  -ft.  "Srisv/oldy ' Axr^EoS.,i,.‘  to-,  a.  regalar  commission.,  as  .2nd /Lieut, Air ~ Corps . 

Pvt  y' dot -Cl . War  fen  and.. Pvt;-  Basil  left ; here  on  January  2.0tE  for  .detached 
Service  as  -student's-:  at  "the  Ai#  Corps  Technical  School,  Chanute  Field*  pvtV' 
Warren  is  ■enrolled'  in  the  Engine.-  Mechanics’  Course  apd-Pvt.  Basil  is/  studying 
' photography . ' : - 

Pvts.  1st.  Cl.  Jenkins  and  Nelson  were. promo ted  tc  the  grade  of  corporal 
on  January' 6th  and -11th  respectively, -while  Cpls.  Tolby  and  Sweeney  became 
sergeants  on  January  6th  and  11th;  respectively.  • ’ 

Out  of  forty-nine  enlisted  men  cn  the  field  who  qualified  as  air. mechanics 
as  a result  of  the  recent  examination,  twenty-one.  are  men  assigned  to  this 
squadron. 

15th  Observation  Squadrcn.A.C. ; Capt . Wolcott  P.  Hayes.,  who  ' reported,  to 
this  station  January  18th,  was  assigned  to  the  Squadron  in  addition  to  his  du- 
ties as  Post  Signal  Officer.  , ... 

Lieut.  Edgar  Selzer,  who  has  been  0.11  detached  service  atr  Wright  Field., 
where  he-  was  attending  the  navigation  School,  reported^  back  to  the' Squadron  for 
duty  and  was  appointed  Athletic  Officer.  "Brcmc"  says,  that  "since  'finishing 
the  navigation  .course  railroads  mean-  nothing  to  him.  in  this  cress-country  busi- 
ness'.1-.-. A . . J A ,t  .....  /'  ..  '//,'.//'/.. , 

"June  Bug,  No.  One",  the  U.S.  Customs  Border  Patrol  ship,  which/. lias  been 
operated  by  Customs  officers  from  the  15th  Squadron,  came  to  grief  with  a forc- 
ed landing  at  Walkerville,  OntaKic  ^ v/hen  .it  richccheted  from  a . encw-Govere.d:. 

s tump . * " ~- 

Sgt.  Bullington,  who  • -reported. tfrcrayChapute gField  on  Jan.  .26th,-  was  assigned 
to  the  organization  and  detailed  to-  the  - Ccjnmunicat-iphs  Section.,  -'/  ;/'. 

Our  only  representatives  with  the  "Arctic  patrol"  were  Mr.,  Sgt . .Davis/ and 
Tech.  Sgt.  Guile,  who  were  •’acting  as  cr  -pilots  on  ./the  transports , 

The  following  promotion  s were  made .in /the  .squadron  during;  the  past  /month: 
Sgt.  Taylor  and  Bull  ingtcnnfc.0  Staff  Sergeants ; .Cpls  r. -.McGinnis  and.  Atwood,  to. 
Sergeants;  and  Pvts.  Miller,  Hall  and  Soloway  to  Corporals.  , i / . / 

5th  Photo  Section,  A. G.:'  During  the  past  month,  this  organization  had  ex- 
cellent training  in  the  "quantity  production  under., -pressure"  which'  characterizes 
the  work  of  a photo  sect iop.  during  military;  operations,,  in  that,  it  was  called 
upon  to  make  on  short  notice  and.  in.  brief  time  upwards  of  200.  negatives  and 
several  thousand  prints  of  personnel  and  equipment,-  about  .to  be  engaged  oh ' the 
flight  of  the’ 1st  Pursuit-.  Group  to  Spokane,  Wash.., . and  return,,  popularly  known 
as  the  " Arctic. Patrol" . . . .. 

The  lights  in  the  Suction  burned  well  into  /thb/night  as  the.messrf  work 
surged  through  the  laboratory  and  the  familiar  smell  of  the  wartime  quick-drying 
solution  wafted  through  the  air  while  messengers,  darted  back  and  forth  supply- 
ing publicity  demands.: 

It  seemed  like  "old  times"  also  to  brush  elbows,  with  the  host  of  newspaper 
photographers  present  .with;  their  inseparable  "guess  .boxes"  and  to  swap  "’dope" 
with  them' on  the  latest  /ieveipppient  s-  in  photographic  equipment  and.  materials 
designed  for  press  work.  .The  weather  was  up  to/  wie ..usual  standard- at /this, 
time  of  the  year.  Despite,  the.  pouring  rain,  the  service  Graflexes  ani/yiew 
cameras  were  successfully  .operated  under  waterproofs’  by  the  members  of  the'  in- 
domitable 5th  Photo.  And  in  all  the  rush,  everyone  kept  cheerful. 

Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif.,  Feb.  l,?th.  ■ ■ ■ 

The' first  two.  of  the- 1&  new  P-12-B. . planes  to-be  assigned  to  Rockwell  Field 
Were 'ferried' from  the  Boeing  Plant ,.  at  .Seattle Wash. , by  Major  Carl  Spata- and 
Lieut.  R.S.  Israel.  It  is  expected  four  .more  P-12-B.  planes  will  be- rea^v.-for 
delivery;  some  time  .this  -week.  . -a  ^ :-;aaV.  : ■ aat'I 

V-5990,,A.G.; 


- 72 


• Lieut  s .Lloyd  Wat  nee  and  John  P ..  Kenny  in,  an  02-A,  had.  a farced  landing 
near  Oceanside,  Calif.,  Feb..  3rd,  due  to  a short-circuited  switch.  Lieut. 
Watnee,.  who.  was  .piloting  the,  plane'., . brought  it  to  a.  stop  and  ripped  out  the 
wiring,  to,,  the,  switch,  thereby  .preventing,  what  might  have  been  a serious  fire. 

An  aerial,  fleet  of'  49-  planes  descended  on  Rockwell  Field,  February  3rd, 
with  cadets  from  March  Field.  . The  expedition  was  out  for  cross-country  train- 
ing and  was  headed.by  Major  Harmon,  Commanding  Officer  of  March,  Field. 

Capt.  Ira  G.  Faker , A.C.*,  and.  Mr . Hans  Adamson,  Assistant  to  Honorable 
F.  Trubee  Davison,'  were  visitors  at  Rockwell  Field,  on  the  13th,  .and  14th  of 
February.  • . ..... 

The  Officers1  Club,  Rockwell  Field,  entertained  with  a delightful  Valen- 
tine dance  at  the  Club  rooms,,  Friday,  February  14th>  The  decorations  were  in 
keeping  with  the  Valentine  mo tiff*  • 

The  marriage  is  announced  of  Miss  Martha  Lingenfelter  on  February  1st, 
to  2nd  Lieut.  Ivan  L.  Farman,  A.C.,  new  stationed  at  Rockwell  Field. 

Marcia  Field,  Riverside,  Calif : Jan.  29th . . - 

Capt . Joseph  H.  Davidson  and  1st  Lieut s.  Aubrey  Hornsby  and  W. A. Maxwell, 
A.C,,  in. three  02-K's,  took  off  from  March  Field  for  Las  Vegas,  Nevada,  on 
Jan.  18th,  in  .search  of  Pilot.  Graham. of  the  Western  Air  Express.  Graham  was. 
forced  down  on  or  about  Jan,  11th  in  the  wilds  of  Nevada  or  Utah  while  pilot- 
ing an.  air.,  mail  plane  between  Los  Angeles  and  Salt  Lake  City.  There  was  a 
heavy  snow  storm  over  this "area  the  day  he  was  lost. 

The.  planes . from  March  Field  operated  as  one  flight  and  searched  the  coun- 
try between  Las  Vegas,,  Nevada,,  and  Milford,  Utah.  All  planes  carried  rations, 
"water  and  oranges.  ' Approximately  thirty  hours  flying  time' in  two  days  were 
devoted  to.  this. search.  However,  no  trace  of  the  missing  air  mail  pilot  was 
found,  and  _the  f light  was  ordered  back  to  March  Field,  on  dan.  21st, 

The  first  Q-32-A,  equipped  with  Wasp  Radial  Motor  visited  March  Field 
on  Jan.  27th,  en  route  to  Wright  Field  from  the  Douglas  Factory  at  Santa  Monica 
Calif.  This  plane  is  the  new. type  of ’training  plane  to  be  used  to  replace  the 
present  02-K.  " 

Brig. -Gen.  Frank  LaLm-,  -.and  .First  Lieut..  Robert  Douglas  of  the.  Air . Corps 
Training, Center,  arrived  at  March  Field  by  air,  Jan.  23d,  on  an  inspection 
trip  of ‘ March  Field  and  other ’Air  Corps  Fields  in  this  vicinity. 

Maj  . William  Duty,  Philippine  Scouts  (Air  Corps)  arrived  at  March  Field, 
Jan*.  28th  to  be  attached  for  duty  approximately  ten  days. 

Capt.  Ralph  Walker,  A.C.,  leaves  on  the  March  15th  transport  for  station 
in  Hawaiian  Department.  Capt.  Walker  was  one  of  the  first  officers  assigned 
to  this  field  after  its  re-organization.  He  has  been  acting  in  the  capacity 
of  Post  Engineering  Officer  since  his  arrival.  Capt.  Walker’s  home  is  in  the 
Hawaiian  Islands  but  he  has  not  been  there  since  joining  the  Army  in  1917. 

The  March  Field  Officers  Golf  Tournament  has  been  completed.  All  those 
who  ever  played  golf  were  entered  and  seme  expert  golfing  was  demonstrated. 

1st  Lieut.  Fred  C.  Nelson,  A.C.,  was  the  winner  of  the  cup. 

1st  Lieut.  Cornelius  E.  0‘ Conner,  A.C.,  passed  out  the  cigars  on  Feb.  3d, 
because  of  the  happy  arrival  of  a six  and  one-half  pound  baby  girl  in  his 
f arnily . 

Brooks  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Fgb.  21st. 

If  enthusiasm  will  make  a winning  team,  every  Squadron  on  the  post  will 
have  to  be  presented  with  a championship  cup  this  year. 

Every  afternoon  a casual  observer  would  see  all  the  prospective  Squadron- 
Baseball  coaches  lined  up  outside  League  Park,  watching  the  New  York  Giants 
in  their  spring  training,  in  the  hope  of  picking  up  valuable  information.  With 
the  advent  of  some  200  recruits,  evenly  distributed  between  Squadrons,  baseball 
fans  cn  the  post  will  see  a series  of  games  well  worth  attending  as  the  Squad- 
rons battle  for  the  cup  presented  to  the  winning  team  each  year  by  Spaldings. 

Through  the  efforts  of  Lieut.  R.E.Randall,  who  was  recently  appointed  E.&R 
Officer,  Brooks  Field  will  soon  see  some  excellent  boxing  and  wrestling  matches 
if  the  first  exhibition,  put  on  at  the  Service  Club  last  week  is  an  indication 
of  what  material  is  already  available. 

Lieut.  Randall  established  what  is  believed  a precedent  in  furnishing  in- 
structors in  the  arts  of  wrestling  and  boxing.  Classes  are  held  every  after- 
noon in  the  Service  Club. 

- 73  - 


V-5990,A.C 


A basketball  tournament , as  a sequal  to  the  Eighth  Corps  Area  football 
tournament,  which  ended  so  successfully  for  Et . Crockett,  has  been  drawn  up 
by  the  members  of  the  Et . Sam  Houston  Athletic  Association,  the  games  to  be 
played  between  March  the  3d  and  10th,  at  the  Army  Y.M.C.A.  Entires  so  far 
include  Ft.  Crockett,  Ft.  Bliss,  Ft.  Sam  Houston,  Kelly  Field  and  Brooks  Field. 
We  aren’t  making  any  predictions  or  bragging,  but  the  Brooks  Field  team  played 
an  elimination  series  with  the  championship  .city  Y.M.C .A.  team  for  the  district 
title  and  a try  at  the  state  title.  Even  though  Brooks,  lost,  they  proved  a 
tough  aggregation  to  beat* 

Among  the  more  recent  arrivals  at  Brocks  Field  are  these  very  important 

ones : 

A daughter  to  Major  :and  Mrs.  A.  Mileau,Jr.,  M.C. 

A daughter  to  Lieut,  and  Mrs.  E.J.  .Rogers,  A.C. 

A daughter  to  Lieut,  and. Mrs.  C.P.  Bradley, A.C. 

A son  to  Lieut,  and  Mrs.  T.J.  Holmes,  A.C. 

Brooks  Field  now  has  a very  interesting  and  instructive  weekly  paper, 
which  is  well  edited  and  presented.  .This  weekly  features,  besides  the  usual 
items  of  local  interest,  instructive  articles  of  general  importance,  a series 
on  the  courses  given  at  the  Air  Corps  Technical  School,  athletic  notes,  jokes 
and  anecdotes,  a question  box,  etc.  The  production  of  this  paper,  the  first 
issue  of  which  .was  dated  Jan.  29,  1930,  is  due  largely  to  the  efforts  and  re- 
sourcefulness of  Lieut.  R.E.  Randall,  Post  Athletic  Officer. 

The  hard' work,  lack  of  time,  fun  and  confusion,  incident  upon  graduation 
of  the  July  Cla:.s,  has  broken  up  the  best  and  fastest  hockey  team  ever  seen 
in  San  Antonio.  The  Brocks  Field  Maroons,  up  until  the  time  they  disintegrated, 
were  leading  the  San  Antonio  Senior  Hockey  League  by  a margin  of  several  games. 

This  is  the  second  year  that  ice  hockey  was  included  in  the  winter  sports 
program,  and- it  is  gaining  more  fans  with  each  game  played.  Last  year  the 
Maroons  were  nosed  out  of  first  place  by  one  point.  Had  the  team  continued 
playing  and  finished  this  season  they  would  have  undoubtedly  been  in  the  lead. 

Two  former  West  Point  stars,  Lieuts.  Costello  and  Schorr,  formed  the  back- 
bone of  the  team,  with  Cadets  Tilton,  Mereweather  and  Baker,  finishing  out  the 
first  string.  Cadets  Mereweather  and  Tilton  were  two  outstanding -players  by 
virtue  of  their  speed,  being  literal  streaks  of  lightning. 

Other  players  composing  the.  team  were  Lieut.  Daly,  and  Cadets  Riley,  Orr, 
Bostrom,  Heusted  and  Scatter good. 


74  - 


V-59 90,  A.C 


VOL.  XiV 


MARCH  31,  1930 


NO.  4 


TABLE  OS’  CONTENTS 
0O0 

Page 

The  Air  Corps  Exercises  at  Lather  Eield.  75  - 77 

Command  General  and  Staff  Depart  for  West  Coast 77 

An  Inspection  Trip  to  Havana,  Cuba 77 

Preliminary  Exorcises  on  Pacific  Coast 77 

The  United  States -panama  Non-Stop  Plight 78  - 80 

Pegs  Prove  Too  Much  for  Selfridge  Field  Flyers 80 

Some  Bad  Hews  for  Air  Corps  Pirst  Lieutenants 81  - 82 

Selecting  a Vocabulary  for  Radio  Telephony 83  - 84 

Commendation  for  Lieut . Ccrkille  84 

Michigan  National  Guard  Airmen  Stage  Aerial  Demonstration 84 

Crissy  Pield  Airmen  Make  Pine  Showing  in  Pistol  Practice  85 

Stranded  Selfridge  Airmen  Make  Long  Trek  Over  Snow 86 

One-Wheel  Landings  86  - 87 

Night  Flying  at  Self  ridge  Pield 87 

Endurance  Flyer  Drops  in  at  Self  ridge 87 

Memorial  Unveiled  at  Fairfield  to  Italian  Airman 88 

Connecticut  Airmen  Ply  to  Miami.  88  - 90 

Large  Class  tc  Attend  Air  Corps  Tactical  School.  . 90 

Air  Corps  Officers  Detailed  to  Army  War  College 90 

Maneuvers  in  the  Philippines  photographed 90 

Graduation  of  Advanced  School  Students  90 

Lost  Spring  on  North  Island  Re -discovered 91  - 92 

New  Airplanes  for  the  Army  Air  Corps 92 

Officers  Detailed  as  Students  at  Air  Corns  Engr .School  92 

Major  Jouett  Leaves  the  Service 93 

War  Department  Orders  Affecting  Air  Corps  Officers  . 93  - 94 

Status  of  Promoted  Officers  on  Foreign  Duty  Roster  ........  94 

Eands  For  the  Army  Air  Corps  . 94 

Notes  from  Air  Cc-rps  Fields  V - for  • • a - '■  V ' ' - »•  -V*  -'•r-  • -a  • a a - • - 95 


V-5998.A.C. 


CORPS 


HEWS 


HO.  4 


VOL.  XIV  AIR  

Information  Division  ..  inanitions  Building 

Air  Corps  _ 'March  31*  1930  • .Washington,  D.C. 


The  chief  -purpose  of  this  publication  is  to  distribute  information  on 
aeronautics  to  the  flying  personnel  in-  the  Regular  Army,  Reserve  Corps , Hational 
Guard,  and  others  connected  with  aviation. 

~ — oOo — 

THE  AIR  CORPS  EXERCISES  AT  MATHER-  FIELD  . 

The  following  statement  explaining  the  plans  and  purposes  of  the  1930  Field 
Exercises  of  the  Army  Air  Corps  was  issued  recently  by  Assistant  Secretary  of 
War,;.  Hon.  F.  Trubee  Davison: 

"Several  new  tactical  theories  .in  air  operation  are  to  be  tested  at  the 
Air  Corps  Field  Exercises  to  be  held  in  California  from  April  1st  to  April 
24th,"  said  Mr.  Davison.  "More  than  130  planes  will  participate  in  the 
Maneuvers  to-be  conducted  under -the  command  of  Brigadier- General  William  E. 
Gillmo-re,  Assistant  to  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  , in  charge  of  . Training  and 
Operations.  While  the  major  portion  of  the.  problem  will  be  staged  at  Mather 
Field,  near  Sacramento,  some  of  the  principal  operations  will  be  conducted  near 
San  Francisco.  In  fact,  one  of  the- important  features  of  the  Ivhneuvers  is  the 
air  defense  of  San  Francisco  against  a Simula ted. naval  attack.  Another  phase 
will  be  a night  attack  by  bombardment  planes,  on  San  Francisco. 

"Following  the  Field-  Exercises  it  is  planned:  to,  stage  demonstrations  at 
San  Francisco  and  Los.  Angeles...  This  is  the  first,  time -modern  Army  aircraft  of 
all  kinds  and  in  such  large  numbers  have  been'  concentrated-  on  the  Pacific  Coast 
as. well  as : the  first  time  they  have  been  employed; in  simulated  coast  defense 
operations.  Briefly,  the  exercises  divide  themselves  into  three  distinct 
phases. each  of  which' will  consume  about  one  week.  They  are,  as  follows: 

"1. — First  week  will  be  devoted  to  the  training  of  the  el.eme.nts  within 
. the  various  groups , ■ -.  such  as  ■ pursuit , Bombardment , -Attack  This  will  involve 
training -in  airdrome  discipline-,  including- traffic problems  -such  as  prompt,  take- 
offs and  landings  with  a view  to  perfect  coordinated,  operation  of  combined  ■ 
units  on  congested  areas. ' With.  a . total  of  .more  than  130  planes  on  one;  field, 
all  elements  must  of  necessity  be  very  accurate,  not  only  for  the  success  of 
tactical,  operations' but ' for  general  safety  as  well. 

"2. — The  second  week  will  be  devoted  to  elementary  tactical  problems,  in- 
volving each  type  of  aviation  and  including  practical  tests  of  new,  proposed 
.and  untried  tactics' which  are  evolved-  from  previous? exercises-.  These  problems 
will  be  separate  for  each  type  of  aviation.  During' this  week  we  will  also. -test 
. methods  of . radio  communication,  not : alone ■ between'  planes  and  ground,  but 
between .planes  in  the.  air.  . We  will -among  other  things  attempt  to  determine  the 
feasibility  of  planes  bombing  other  planes  and  the  sending  out -of  S.O.S.  calls 
for  protection  to  units  of  Pursuit  planes  in' the  air  and  many  miles  away.  We 
also  expect  interesting  results,  in  similar  communication  tests  between  Pursr.it 
planes' and  Attack  organizations..  It  may.-  not'  be'  generally  known,  but  Attack 
planes  which  are  used  mainly  for  ’ground  straffing*  • purposes. fly  less  than  one 
hundred  feet  above  the  ground;  their  effectiveness  depends  upon  the  speed  and 
surprise  with' which  they  reach  their  objective.  Up  to.  this  time,  the  chief 
difficulty  in  those  tactics  has  been  the  inability  of-  Pursuit  planes  to  locate 
the  Attack  units.  It  is  believed  that  radio  should  solve  this,  problem. 

"3  — Tne  use  of  planes  in  coast  defense  will  be  the  principal  theme  dur- 
. ing  the  third  week.  The.  problem  to  be  worked  out  will  cover  about  four  days 
and  is  about  as  follows: 

. "A  simulated  coalition  of  powers  - (Rod)  has  been  at-  war  with  the  United 
■States  (blue)  for  six  months*  Our  Atlantic,  fleet  is  operating  against  Red 
forces  which  have  established  a foothold  in  Pennsylvania.  The  naval  vessels 
in'  the  Pacific  have  been  bottled. up  in  San  Francisco  Bay.  It  is  assumed  that 
the  Panama  Canal  has  been  damaged  by  Red  air  raiders  to  such  a:a  extent  that 
.repairs-  'cannot  be  completed  until  June.  It  is  further  -as-sumed  that  southern 
California  has  been  seized  by  the  Reds  and  that  the-  enemy  lines  run  from 
Livermoro — Isleton — Lodi— Jackson,  California. 

"So  much  for  the  general  situation  — the  special  situation,  as  it  applies 
■to  tho  actual  field  exercises,  assumes  that  our  forces,  consisting  of  three 

-75-  '..  7-5998 , A.C. 


simulated  cores  of  two  divisions  each,  supported  "by  Army  Artillery  and  Army  • • 
troops,  is  fighting  to  delay  further  Rod  advances  pending  reinforcements.  On 
April  17th  - the  day  when  the  third  phase  begins  - the  First  Reinforced  Tiling  of 
the  Blue  Army  starts  its  operations  against  the  enemy-  which  had  strong  ground 
forces  at. Stockton  and  Peters.  It  is  well . equipped  generally  with  mobile; anti- 
aircraft defenses.  Red  air  forces  are  located- at  strategic  points.  .Heavy  and 
light  bombardment  groups  are  at  Tracy,  Pursuit  at  Stockton  and  Observation 
aviation  at  Lathrop. 

"The  concentration  of  enemy  stores  at  Stockton  and  Modesto  has  been  con- 
stantly built  up  while  naval  -forces  are- concentrated  at  Los  Angeles  and  San 
Diego.  Intelligence  reports  have  revealed  that  combined  land  and  naval  attacks 
on  San -Francisco  are  imminent.  - 

"The  task  of  our  air  organization  will  be  to  attack  enemy  positions  at 
Stockton  and  Modesto  as  well  as  to  conduct  a campaign  to  keep  enemy  aircraft, 
especially  bombardment,  from  functioning.  .The  climax  of  the  field  exercises 
will  take  place  on. the ‘fourth  day  and  will  consist  of  an  air  defense  of  San 
Francisco  against  a naval  attack. 

"This  is  the  first  time  in  training  operations  that,  all  four  branches  of 
Army  aviation  - Pursuit,  Bombardment,  Attack  and  Observation  - have  combined-  in 
maneuvers  of  this  nature.. to  demonstrate  the  use.  of  an  air  force  to  repel 
. invasion. " . 

Participating  in  the.  "T7ar"  on  the  Pacific  Coast  will  be  the  First  Pursuit 
from  Self ridge  Field,  Mt . Clemens, ,Mich.  (46  officers,  22  enlisted  men,  40 
Pursuit- and  4 ..Cargo  planes);  the..  Third  Attack  Group  from  Fort  Crockett, 
Galveston,  Texas  (30  officers ,. 30  enlisted  men,  and  27- Attack  planes);  .the 
Second  Bombardment  Group  from  Langley  Field,  7a.  (38.  officers,  42  enlisted  men 
and  .19  Bombardment  planes)  ; the.,  7th.  Bombardment  Group,  from  Rockwell , Field, 
Calif.,  with  32  officers  and  48  enlisted  men,  and  the  91st  Observation  Squadron 
from  Cr is, sy  Field,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Calif . * with  16  officers  and  10 
enlisted  men.  -.- 

The  Pursuit.  Group  proper  will  be  divided  into  two.  provisional,  squadrons, 
one  led  by  Major  Ralph  Royce  and  the  other,  by  Captain  Victor  H.:  Strahm.  Each 
Pursuit  plane  will  be  .equi-pped  with  two  machine  guns..  Guns  have  been  mounted 
at  Selfridge  Field- on  22  Curtiss  P-1C  airplanes  which  will  form  the  first  pro- 
visional squadron  under  the  leadership  of  Major  Royce.  The  Squadron  will  fly 
from  Selfridge  Field  to  Mather  Field  via  Chanute  Field,  111.,;  Omaha,  Nebraska; 
North  Platte , . Nebraska; . Cheyenne,.  Wyoming;  Rock  Springs,  YJyoming;  and  Salt  Lake 
City,  Utah.  . 

Eighteen  officers,  who  will  make  up  the  second  provisional  squadron,  will 
proceed  to-  Seattle,  .Washington,  by  rail,  secure  new  Boeing  P-12  Pursuit  planes 
from  the  factory  in  that  city  and  then. fly  them  to  Rockwell  Field,  San  Diego, 
Calif.,  for  mechanical  check.  This  accomplished,  the  Pur suiters  will  go  to 
Mather  Field  to.  j.oin  the..  Group. 

The  experience  these  Pursuit  pilots  gained  during  the  winter- test  flight 
of  the  Group  from  Self  ridge  Field  to  Spokane-,  Washington,,  last  January,  will, 
it  is  expected,  prove  exceedingly  valuable-  in  the  preparations  for  this  long 
flight.  Special  tool  kits- are  being  issued',  canteens  of  water  strapped  in  the 
cockpits,  pistols.. secured,  and  careful  arrangements,  made  for  rapid  gassing  at 
the  various  stops.  It  is  believed  that  careful  planning  and.  timing  will  enable 
the  Cargo  planes,  with -the  mechanics  and.  spare  parts  to.  make,  night  stops  with 
the  Pursuit  planes,  thus  obviating  many  of  the  troubles  encountered  during  the 
Self  ridge  to  Spokane  .Flight.  • 

The.  Third  Attack  Group,  under  the  command  of. ..Maj or ■ Davenport  Johnson,  is 
scheduled  to  take  off  from  Fort  Crockett  on  March  27th,  proceeding  ..to  .Mather 
Field  via  San -Antonio  and  El  Paso,  Texas;  Tucson,  Arizona,  and  San  Diego, 

Calif.,  making  overnight  stops,  at  El  Paso  and- San  Diego,.  ■ For  the  past  several 
weeks  the  Group  has  been  making  diligent  preparations  for  the.  part  it  is  to  play 
in  the  Air  Corps  -Exercises,.  The  personnel  have -been  undergoing  daily  training 
in  machine  gun  firing,  bombing  practice  and  formation  .flying,  and  the  problems 
they  coped  with  were  of  a character-similar  to  those -which  will  confront  them 
during  the  "hostilities  on  the  Rest  Coast. 

The  Curtiss  A-3  (Attack)  planes  are,  now  being  replaced  by  the  newer  and-, 
more  modern  type,,  the  A-3B,  in  which.a  number- of  improvements  were  effected, 
among  them  being  oleo  landing  gears  and  the  most  modern  types- of  control  sur- 
faces. The  pilots  of  the  Grouu  have  been  busily  engaged  in  ferrying  to  Fort 

-76-  V-5998 , A. C. 


Crockett  this  latest  model  of  Attack  plane  from  the  Curtiss  factory  at  Buffalo, 
New  York.  As  rapidly  as  these  ships  arrived  they  were  inspected,  painted  and 
equipped  with  ail  armament,  radio  equipment,  flares-,  first  aid  ki'ts  and  other 
accessories  necessary  to  make  the  successful  fighting;  airplane. 

: Under  the  command  of  Major  Hugh  J.-  -Kherr , Air  Corps,'  the  2nd  Bombardment 
Croup,  comprising  six  LB-7,-  two  LB-6  and  eleven  B-2  Bombardment  planes,  took 
off  from  Langley  Field,  Ya. , forthe-West  Coast' at ' 7:08  a.m. , March  23rd.  The 
B-2  planes  arrived  at  Maxwell  Field,  Montgomery’,  Ala. at  1:30 • p.m.  that' day. 

The  LB  planes  stopped  for  gas  at  Pope  'Field,  Fort  Bragg-,'  N.C.',  and  arrived-  at 
Maxwell  Field  at  2:00  p.m:.  The’nineteen "airplanes  departed'  from  Maxwell  Field 
for  Shreveport,  La,,-  at  eight  o’clock  on' the  morning  -of'  March  24'th. 

These  giant  bombers  are  equipped  with  extra  gas  tanks-  to  permit  them  to 
make  long  "hops"  without  the  necessity  of  frequent  stops  for  fuel.  Prior  to 
the  departure  of  the  Bombing  pilots  they  were -put  through  a strenuous  course 
of  training  by  Major  Knerr,  and  daily  checks  were-  made  on  the  planes  to  insure 
their,  being  in  the  best  possible,  condition  for  the’ long  flight. 

From  Shreveport , La.,  the  Group  is  scheduled  to  go  to  Midland,  Dallas'  and 
El  Paso,  Texas,  proceeding  from  the  latter  point  direct  to  Mather  Field. 

— -oOo- 

COMMANDING  GENERAL  AND  STAFF  DEPART  FOR  WEST  COAST  - 

Brigadier- General  William  E.  Gillmore,  Assistant  to  the  Chief  of  the  Air 
Corps,  accompanied  by  his  Staff,  departed  from  Bolling  Field',  D.C. , on  the 
morning  of  March  22nd  enroute  to  Mather  Field,  Sacramento,  Calif .,  where  the 
Army  Air  Corps  Exercises  will  be  "conducted  from  April  1st  to  24th. 

General  Gillmore *s  plane',  an  02- J,  was  niloted  by  1st  Lieut.  L.M.  Merrick, 
Operations  .Off icer  at  Bolling  Field."  Flying  in  0-1E’ s were  Colonel  C.C. Culver, 
Lieut. -Colonel  Frank' M.  Andrews, ’ Majors  Michael  F.  Davis,  Thomas  Dew.  Milling, 
Horace  M.  Hickam,  Captains  E.E.  Adler, ' Harold  U.  .McClelland  and  1st  Lieut*. Guy 
ICirksey.  Major  Willis  H'.'  Hale  flew  an  LB-6  and  Captain  Frank'  Oi-Dv -Hunter  -a 
P-1F.  Lieut.  Roland  . Birnn,  Information  Officer  for-  the  Field  Exercises,  accom- 
panied by  Major  Oscar  W.  Griswold  of  the  General  Staff,  G-2,  departed  for  the 
West  Coast  on  the'  .morning,  of"-  March  20th. 

---oOo— 

AH  INSPECT  I Oil  TRIP  TO  HAYANA,  CUBA  • 

Lieut.  Elwood  R.  .C^uesada  as 'pilot , and  Lieut.  F.  VonH.  Kimble  as  co-pilot  , 
with  Jfej or.  Delos."  C.  Emmons,-  Executive  .Officer  in  the 'Office  of  the  Assistant 
Secretary  of  War  for  Aeronautics;  Major  L.  W.  McIntosh,  Executive  Officer  of - 
the  .Office  of  -the  .Chief -.of;  the.  Air  Corps,  and  Major.  Williams"  *f  the  General 
Staff  as  passengers,  recently  flew  the  . Sikorsky  Amphibian,'  lately',  assigned- to 
Bolling  Field,  tomHavana,  Cuba,  for  the  purpose  of  making 'an  'inspection  of  th-e 
U.S.- Army  Air  Corps. 'personnel  on  duty  in  that  country. 

mm  .'  — -oOo — — ' """  ' 

PRELIMINARY  EXERCISES  ON  PACIFIC  COAST 

■ During  the.--. cburs-a.- of  preliminary. activities,  incident  to  the  Army  Air  Corps' 
Exercises  to  be-  held'at  Mather- Field-,  -Sac ramentoy  Calif . , April  1st  to  24th, -a 
formation  of  eighteen  P-12;  Pursuit. planes  participated  in  various  maneuvers--' 
while  ' flying  between;  Dos.; Angeles ; Calif  . , and".R6ckwe-ll ' Field-, ' Coronado , Calif-.' 
Major-General  James  E.  Fechet,  Chief . of  v.  the  Air  Corps,  - who-' made' -.‘a  trip- to  "the 
West  -Coast  to . view  :■  the-  preparations' for" the  Field. Exercises,  directed- 'the  ” 
maneuvers  of  the  big..-  formation  "of"  Pursuit,  planes-'  by-  radio-  while1  flying  In  an-v " 
LB-7  ..Bombing .-plane.  - He.  afterwards--  expressed  -himself  as  'highly  pleased - with  the 
results. 

Rockwell  Field  at  this; lime  is  .the  scene  mof  considerable  activity,;  for  the 
personnel  of  that  field.-are;  making  the  'necessary  preliminary  preparations  for 
the  conduct  of  the  field- exercises  at  Mathei1  Field.  In  13  days  .'cf  flying,  0,’: 
Transport  Squadron,,  consisting  of  two. Hoiks r : and.',  f wo  Douglas  Transports  and-  a 
Bombing  plane,  made  27  round  trips  .between  Rockwell  and  Mather  Fields,  traversed 
a total  distance,  of  27 ,000- miles,  accumulated  310 aircraf  t.  hours , aiid  transport- 
ed supplies  to  -Mather  Field  aggregating  sixteen  'tons. 

-77-  • 


V-5998,  A. C. 


THE  UNITED  STATES-PANAMA  NON-STOP  .FLIGHT 
By  Major  Jacob  E.  Fickel,  Air  Corps 

Note:  On  Wednesday,  March  19th,  Wright  Field  greeted  three  returned 
travelers  who  had  been  absent  under  flying  orders  for  the  past  month. 

The  trio  were  Major  Jacob  E.  Fickel,  Executive  of  the  -Materiel  Division; 
Lieut.  Albert  F.  Hegenberger,  co-pilot  on  the  first  flight  from  California 
across  the  Pacific  to  Hawaii;  and  Lieut.  Ennis  Whitehead. ,apilot  of  the 
South  American  Good-Will 'Flight  of  AL927.  The  three,  together  with  Sgt. 
K.D.  Wilson  of  Dolling  Field,  D.C,  , who.  served  as  radio,  operator,  crossed 
on  their  flight,  from  Miami,  Florida,  to  France  Field,  Panama  Canal. Zone, 
nonstop,  via  the  Carr ibean  Sea.  Majpr  Fickel  gives  the- following  account 
of  their  flight. 

He  left  Wright  Field  On  February  14th,  Lieutenants  Hegenberger  and. 
Whitehead,  Sergeant  Wilson,  Mr.  Albert  Jarvis  of  the  Wright  Aeronautical  Corpo- 
ration, and  myself,  in  a new  Ford  Transx>ort  equipped  with  three  Wright  J-6, 

300  horse-power,  air-cooled  engines,  flying  by  way  of  Maxwell  Field,  Montgomery, 
Alabama,-  and  Birmingham  to  Tampa, ' Florida.  At  Tampa,  late  on  the  night  of 
February  18th,  we  received  orders  to  ferry  the  new  transport  we  were  flying  to 
Panama  and  to  bring  back  an  older  Fokker  Transport,  equipped  with  three  220 
horse-power  J-5  engines. 

On  the  morning  of  February  19th  we  took  off  for  Miami,.  Florida,  from  which 
point  we  would  leave  for  the  .Canal  Zone.  . .W.p  arrived  in -Miami  the  same  morning 
and  spent  the  rest  of  the  day  in  pre-paring  the  plane  for  the  long  hop,  check- 
ing and  swinging  the  compasses,,  looking  over  the  drift  indicators  and  "other  in- 
struments, and  ,f  gas  sing. u We  fed  .720  gallons  of.  gasoline  Into  the  tanks.  The 
distance  by-  way  of  the  Carribean  Sea  was  approximately  1140  miles.  We  were 
carrying  enough  gasoline  for  fifteen,  hours  of  flight,  although  we  hoped  to. 
make  it-  in  eleven  hours'  if  there  was  no  wind.  We  remained,  at  the  Pan  American 
Airways  Field  working  on  the  -plane,  until,  midnight.  ■ 

The  Pan  American  organization  gave  u.s  every  possible  assistance,  turning, 
men  and  equipment  over  to  us.  Their  ..efficiency  was  everywhere  apparent  $nd 
aided  in  our  getting  ready  for  take-off  in. the'  shortest  possible  time.  Tno 
Weather  Bureau  provided  us  with  special  weather  reports  from  Miami  to  France 
Field,  and  indications  were  that  we  would  have  favorable  winds  the  entire  way 
on  the  twentieth.  Although  we  had.  remained  at  the  field  until  midnight,  we 
were  back  again  at  3:30  a.m.  , on  the  twentieth  and  making  the  last  preparations 
for  leaving.  As  the  first  streaks  of  dawn,  appeared,.  6:10  a.m.,  we  took  to  the 
air.  There  were  in  the  plane  Lieuts.  Hegenberger  and  Whitehead,  co-pilots; 
Sergeant  Wilson,  radio  operator,  and.. myself,  acting  as  navigator.  Mr.  Jarvis 
followed  us  to  Panama  By  boat. 

Cnee  out  over  the  water,  we  discovered  we  had  a -strong  wind  on  the  port 
boW,  causing  a drift  of  17  degrees  and  cutting  down  the  ground  s-peed  from  105 
miles  per  hour,  which  we  had  hoped  to  make , to  82  miles  per  hour.  This  caused 
us  little  concern  except  that  of  landing  in  darkness  should  we  be  delayed  to 
that  extent.  We  flew  directly  over  Cuba,  setting  our  course  from  Cienfuegas 
to  the-  Cayman  Islands.  The.se  islands  which  lie  200  miles-  south  of  Cuba  are 
possessions  of  Great  Britain  and  ~we  had  been  instructed  not  to  fly  over  them. 

We  skirted  them  beyond  the  thre.e-mile  limit,  then  set  our  course  for  the 
Seralrillla  Bank  some  400  miles  to  the  South.  We  hit  the  Seranilla  Bank  directly 
on  the  course,  and  reset  our  direction  for  Serrana  Bank.  The  next  check  was 
Honcador  Bank.  These  are  small  banks  in  the  sea  not  large  enough  to  be  called 
islands.  They  would' be  utterly  inadequate  for  the  landing  of  a plane..  All 
told  us  that  we  were  directly  on  the  course. 

We  then  set  the  compass  for  the  entrance  to  the. Panama  Canal  but  struck 
Fort  Sherman,  just  three  miles  away.  The  course  lay  along  the  80th  Meridian 
approximately  all  the  way.  ' We  landed  at  France  Field,  Panama,  at  5:30  P.M. , 
making  the  time  of  the  flight  11  hours  and  20  minutes  for  the  1140  miles.  This 
averaged  a little  better  than  100  miles  per  hour.  During  the  flight  we  were  " 
in  constant  radio  communication  with  Miami,  until  noon  and  had  interrapted  com- 
munication with  Panama  during  the  afternoon.  Our  arrival  was  a great  surprise 
to  the  personnel  of  France  Field,  for  they  had  not  known  we  were  on  our  Way.  We 
received,  nevertheless,  a very  hearty  welcome. 

We  remained  in  France  Field  until  February  26th  while -the  plane  in  which 
we  were  to  return  was  being  conditioned.  This  flight  was  to  lie  over  Central 

_78~  ' V-5998 ,A. C. 


America  and  Mexico  to  the  United  States.  Oar  first  leg  was  to  Managua  and  we 
spent  the  night  there  with  the  Marine  flyers  who  were  on  duty  at  that  point. 

The  next  day  we  proceeded  to  Guatemala  'City  where  we  remained  over  a day  to  have 
the  engines  checked.  Qn.  March.  1st  we  left,  expecting  to  make  Tapachula,  Vera 
Cruz  and  Brownsville  "by.. nightfall.  We  landed  at  Tapachula  for  gasoline,  hut  on. 
take-off  we  had  engine  trouble  of  such  serious  nature  that  we  decided  to  wire 
the  United  States  for  a mechanic  and  some  spare  parts.  Lieut.  Ames  S.  Albro 
fie?/  down  from  Duncan  Field,  bringing  Mr.  Finster,  a mechanic,  YJork  was  started 
and  the  plane  was  in  readiness  by  March  8th.  A trial  flight  was  made.  But  in 
landing,  a strong  gust  of  wind  caused  the  plane  to  ground  loop  into  a tree 
stump,  and  although  there  was  no  injury  to  any  of  the  passengers,  it  was  damaged 
beyond  repair. 

That  made  it  necessary  for  us  to  find  another  way  of  getting  home.  The 
Mexican  Government  immediately,  at  the  order  of  the  President,  sent  Colonel 
Pablo  Sidar  and  another  pilot  with  two  planes  to  fly  us  back  to  the  United  . 
States.  Colonel  Sidar  is  to  Mexico  what  Lindbergh  is  to  the  United  States,,  s.o 
that  this  unsolicited  service  was  a great  compliment  to  the  people  of  the  United 
States  as  well  as  to  the  stranded  fliers.  Coionel  Sidar  took  us  to  Mexico  City 
where  the  government  extended  every  courtesy  possible,  the  Secretary  of  War  re- 
ceiving us  in  audience.  We  remained  in  Mexico  City  for  two  days,  then  were 
flown  by  Colonel  Sidar  to  Laredo,  Texas,  where  we  caught  busses  and  trains  for 
Dayton. 

The  flight  from  Miami  to  Panama  without  stop  proved  the  possibility  of 
direct  communication  with  the  Canal  Zone  in  the  shortest  -possible  time.  It  was 
the  first  time  such  a flight  had  been  accomplished  in  a multi-motored  plane, and 
only  once  before  had  it  been  accomplished  by  any  type  plane  whatever.  As  a 
military  maneuver  it  held  considerable  importance.  Plane  and  engines  functioned 
perfectly,  so  the  flight  was  without  particular  incident.  We  struck  two  rain- 
squalls  and  dodged  a third;  otherwise  the  weather  was  perfect.  The  difficulties 
of  navigation  with  the  instruments  we  carried  were  not  great.  Three  magnetic 
compasses  and  one  induction  cpmpass  were  installed.  A bubble  sextant  enabled 
us  to  learn  our  position  from  astronomical  observations,  if  necessary.  Drift, 
indicators  were  carried  to  be  used  in  connection  with ' smoke;  bombs  to  get  the 
wind  direction  and  ground  speed.  An  interesting  item  of  radio  equipment  was  a 
small  battery-operated  transmitter  set,  to  be  used  as  part  of  the  equipment  of 
the  rubber  life  raft.  In  the  event  of  an  emergency  landing  in  the  sea,  the 
life  raft 'would  have' been  inflated  by  carbon  dioxide  supplied  at  high  pressure 
from  sxDecial  containers,  the  small  radio  set  with  a range  of  apSoximately  300 
miles  being  employed  to  establish  communication  with  steamships  in  the  vicinity. 
The  life  raft  also  was  equipped  with  emergency  rations  and  water  bags  against  a. 
forced  landing  in  the  sea.  Our  noon  meal  on  the  flight  consisted  of  coffee  and 
sandwiches. 

The  trip  back  lay  over  magnificent  scenery. ; We  had  the  contrast  of  moun- 
tain peaks,  with  many  smoking  volcanoes,  and  dense  tropical  jungles.  The 
Mexican  people  in  Tapachula  we  found  exceedingly  gracious  in  their  treatment  of 
us.  Everything  possible  was  done  to  make  our  stay  interesting  and  comfortable 
and  to  facilitate  our  return  home.  The  Army  Commander,.  General  Mendez,  was  es- 
pecially helpful.  Colonel  Sidar,  detailed  by  the  President  to  fly  us  to  the 
United  States,  is  an  extremely  capable  pilot  and  he  showed  the  utmost  considera- 
tion and  courtesy  toward  us.  The  Pan  American  Airways,  whose  line  runs  through 
Tapachula,  also  offered  us  transportation  back  to  the  United  States,  and  their, 
kindness  was  taken  advantage  of  by  Sergeant  Wilson  whom  they  carried  to  Browns- 
ville, Texas. 

We  found  airplane  travel  in  Mexico  surprisingly  advanced.  The  country  is 
criss-crossed  by  airlines  operating  on  .schedule-.  The  airplane  is  esioecially 
valuable  there  because  of  the  -poor  means  of  ground  travel.  Railroads  are  not. 
numerous,  and  many  of  the  important  cities  have  no  railroads  whatever.  For 
instance,  three  cities  of  from  5,000  to  30,000  inhabitants  in  the  interior  of 
the  State  of  Chiapas  have  no  means  of  transportation  except  mule  train,  horse- 
back, and  in  the  dry  season  automobiles.  The  journey  from  these  towns  to 
Tapachula,  which  is  a railroad  center,  requires  from  5 to  8 days  in  the  dry 
season,  and  from  three  weeks  to  two  months  in  the  wet  season.  There  are  now 
two  airplanes  to  these  cities  each  week  day  from  Tapachula,  the  time  required 
for  making  the  trip  being  one  hour.  The  flight  from  Tapachula  to  Laredo , Texas , 
took  approximately  eleven  hours  of  air  travel.  The  same  trip  by  train  requires 
seven  days.  South  of  Mexico  City,  on,  the  great  Mexican  -plateau,  is  a surpris- 
ingly dense  population  and  every  acre  of  arable  land  is  under  cultivation.  The 

-79-  V-5998,  A. C. 


mountains  surrounding  Mexico  City  are  under  cultivation  up  to  ten  and  eleven 
thousand  feet  and  the  whole  countryside  is  dotted  with;  villages. 

The  flight  from  start,  to  finish  was  ‘both,  -delightful  .and  enlightening,  not 
only  in  the  long-distance  training  received  and  the  contacts  with  an  almost 
unknown  people,  hut  also  from  the  point  of  view  of  testing  special  navigation 
equipment  and  the  successful  military  experiment  of  delivering  a long  range 
type  of  reconnaissance  airplane  to  an  airdrome  stationed  in  the  Canal  Zone 
in  the  shortest  possible  time. 

oOo. — - 

FOGS  PROVE  TOO  MUCH  FOR  SELFRIDGE  FIELD  FLYERS 

Six  Air  Corps  pilots  from  Selfridge  Field,  Mt.  Clemens,  Mich.,  recently 
passed  through  the-  rather  unusual  experience  of  tailing  off  for  a flight  north- 
ward in  their  sturdy  little  Pursuit  planes  only  to  he  compelled  to  return  to 
their  home  field  by  automobile.  Led  by  Major  Royce,  Commanding- Officer  of  the 
First  Pursuit  Group,  the  planes,  which  were  equipped  with  skiis,  took  off  from 
the  ice  of  Lake  St.  Clair  on  February  21st  for  a special  cross-country  flight  to 
Hancock,  via  St.  Ignace,  Michigan,  during  which  an  inspection  of  a proposed  aer- 
ial gunnery  and  bombing  camp  at  Munising,  'Michigan,  was  to  be  made. 

The  flight  had  hardly  cleared  the'  lake  when  a heavy  fog  blanketed  the  sur- 
rounding fount  ry,-  and  shortly  afterwards  a telegram -from  Major  Royce:  stated 
that  the  entire  flight  had  been  forced  do?m  at  Tawas  City  on  that  account.  The 
flight,  however,  landed,  at  St.,  Ignace  at  3:55  p.m.,  after  being  forced  down 
again  at  Oscoda,  Mich.,  by  another  heavy  fog. 

' Leaving  St.  Ignace  the  following  morning,  the  flight  was  forced  down  at 
‘Dewberry,  Mich.,  due  to  a heavy  rain,  remained  there  that  night',  and  arrived  at 
Hancock  at  about  noon  the  next  day.  In  the  meantime  the  temperature  at 
Self  ridge  Field  had  climbed  until  it  seemed  that  Old  King  Winter  had  departed 
for  points  further  north  and  was  not  returning.  All  this  was  Well  except  that 
the-  sun  so  weakened  the  ice  on  the  lake  that  it  would  be  impossible  for  the 
Group  to  land  there  on  their  return,  and  no  landing  with  skiis  could  be  made  on 
the  field  since  the, .show  had  long  since  changed  to  pools  and  rivulets  of  water 
which  even  the  new  and  modern  drainage  system  on  the  field  could  not  drain  away. 
This  state  of  affairs  was  evidently  realized  by  the  pilots  at  Hancock,  for  many 
rush  telegrams  were  received  requesting  weather  reports  and  information  as  to 
snow  and  ice.  Conditions  at  Self ridge  were  immediately  wired  Major  Royce  and 
arrangements  made  whereby  the  flight  would  proceed  to  Oscoda  so  as  to  land  on 
the  ice  of  Lake  Van  Ettan.  In  the  meantime,  Lieut s.  Crawford  and  Cobb  were 
assigned  the  duty  of  transporting  to  Oscoda  six  s.ets  of  wheels  for  installation 
on  the  Pursuit  planes  when  they  arrived. 

All  this  was  accomplished,  the  Transport  returning  to  Self  ridge  Field  the 
same  day,  the  24th.  In  the  meantime,  however,  the  only  communication  received 
from  Major  Royce  was  a telegram  from  Hancock  stating  that  he  would  leave  there 
at  9:00  a.m.  There  being  no  direct  communication  between  Selfridge  Field  and 
Oscoda,  it  was  believed  that  the  flight  had  been  delayed  by  the  fog  which  early 
that  evening  had  settled  over  the  surrounding  country.  Strange- as  it  may  seem, 
however,  Major  Royce  and  his  -pilots  arrived; at  about  6:30  o’clock  that  evening 
via  automobile.  They  had  gotten  into  the  fog  just  northwest  of  Selfridge  Field 
but  were  forced  down  at  the  Packward  Proving  Grounds  at  Utica,  Michigan.  Lieut. 
Van  Auken  had  lost  the  rest  of  the  flight  in  the  fog  and  was  forced  down  into  a 
small  field  about  five  miles  north  of  Self ridge.  His  landing  was  rather  hard, 
and  the  plowed  field  caused  such  damage  that  the  wrecking  truck  was  sent  out 
. the  next  day.  The  plane  Was  dismantled  and  hauled  back  to  the  aero  repair  shop 
at  the  field. - It  was  damaged  so  badly  that  a major  overhaul  was  required.  As 
soon  as  the  weather  cleared  the  following  day,  five  pilots  proceeded  to  Utica 
by  automobile  and  ferried  the  planes  back  to  the  field. 

Thus  another  northern  flight  was  conrpleted,  but  this  time  the  equipment 
functioned  perfectly,  the  engines,  skiis,  aircraft  and  general  equipment  giving 
no  trouble.  The  information  and  experience  gained  from  the  recent  flight  to 
Sipokane  helped  materially.  The  engines  were  started  on  schedule,  and  but  for 
the  bad  weather,  for  which  no  cure  has  been  discovered,  the  flight  would  have 
made  the  trip  without  delay. 

oOo: — - 

Major  T.  Ogata,  of  the  Imperial. Japanese  Array,  was  a visitor  at  the  Air 
Corps  Training  Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas,  recently.  Major  Ogata  has  been 
visiting  various  Army  fields  throughout  the  country. 

-80- 


V-5998  ,A.  C. 


SOME  BAD  MS  FOB.  AIR  CORPS  FIRST  LISUTEHAHTS 


The  "Demon  Statistician"  of  the  Personnel  Division,  Office  of  the  Chief  of 
the  Air  Corps,  was  "burning  the  midnight  oil.  With  the  Promotion  List  in  one 
hand  and  a stubby  lead  pencil  in  the  other  he  was  "busily  engaged  in  "figgering. " 
Sheets  of  paper  with  numerals  scrawled  all  over  them  were  lying  in  profusion  on 
his  desk,  and  it  could  "be  easily  seen  that  he  was  having  a strenuous  session 
with  the  particular  task  before  him. 

So  engrossed  was  he  in  his  work  that  he  failed  to  hear  the  soft  tread  of 
a Midnight  Visitor  in  his  room,  said  mysterious  person  carrying  an  old  oil  lamp 
in  one  hand  and  a modern  flashlight  in  the  other.  It  was  not  until  the  beam 
from  the  flashlight  streaked  across  the  desk  of  the  "D.S."  that  he  became 
aware  of  the  presence  of  another  -person  in  his  vicinity,  and  he  started  up  in 
alarm.  His  astonished  gaze  perceived  the  wan,  haggard  features  of  an  Air  Corps 
First  Lieutenant  who  seemed  to  be  slouching  along  as  if  in  a daze. 

"What  ho!  Diogenes  looking  for  an  honest  man,  eh?"  queried  the  "D.S."  as 
he  regained  his  composure. 

(The  Midnight  Visitor  halted  suddenly,  rubbed  his  eyes  and  came  to.  "Sleep 
walking  again,"  he  mumbled  to  himself. 

"What  seekest  thou,"  or  words  to  that  effect,  queried  the  D.S.,  "and  why 
the  landing  lights?" 

"I’m  only  looking  for  a promotion,"  returned  the  "M.V. ",  hesitatingly. 

" I really  mean  no  harm. " 

"Seek  no  further,  brother,"  said  the  "D.S."  "You  happened  to  come  to  the 

right  place  at  the  right  time.  I have  it  all  figured  out  for  you.  You  see,  I 

have  -i-.^-en  the  average  number  of  promotions  occurring  each  month  for  the  past 
ton  years  : and,  if  this  average  holds  the  same  for  the  balance  of  this 
year  and  up  to  September  of  next  year,  about  142  others  who  are  in  the  same 

boat  you* re  in  will  sport  the  title  of  1 Captain1  by  the  fall  of  1931. 

"Oh!  So  I’m  due  for  the  ’bad*  news  pretty  soon,  eh!  Well,  that’s  cer- 
tainly fine  ’dope.’  I’ve  been  waiting  so  long  for  it,  and  it  just  seemed  that 
it  was  never  coming." 

"Well,  cheer  up,"  returned  the  "D.S."  consolingly  and,  scattering  the 
papers  on  his  desk  and  running  down  a list  of  names,  added:  "Let’s  see;  you’re 
due  to  celebrate  sometime  in  July.  You  see,  I’ve  been  working  on  this  muddle 
for  some  time.  If,  as  I said  before,  the  average  of  monthly  vacancies  remains 
constant  from  now  on,  one  of  your  comrades  in  distress  is  duo  to  take  the  oath 
of  office  as  Ca-ptain  in  April,  six  in  Ifeiv,  two  in  June,  eleven  each  in  July 
and  August,  nine  in  September,  ten  in  October,  fifteen  in- November,  fourteen 
in  December,  one  in  January,  1931,  none  in  February  or  March,  three  in  April, 
twelve  in  May,  thirteen  in  June,  eight  in  July  and  nine  in  August." 

"Urn,  Urn.’  Ain’t  that  sumpin! " ejaculated  the  now  thoroughly  aroused 
"M.V.!’  unconsciously  falling  into  the  dialect  of  the  two  famous  Radio  tooth- 
paste artists.  "Let’s  see  the  list,  if  you  don’t  mind." 

"Certainly,"  said  the  "D.S*,"  handing  him  several  sheets  of  paper.  "The 
dope  is  all  there." 

And  this  is  what  the  "M.V."  saw: 

Air  Corns  First  Lieutenants  due  to  be  -promoted  to  Sent.  1931. 


1930 


April  - 

Auby  C.  Strickland 

July  -----  Charles  E.  3ranshaw 

Edward  W.  Raley 

May  - - 

- John  M.  Clark 

Earle  H.  Tonkin 

Roland  C.W.  Blessley  •' 

James  T.  Hutchison 

Arthur  Thomas 

Edwin  R.  Page 

Louis  IT.  Eller 

Harvey  H.  Holland 

ULysses  G.  Jones 

Russell  L.  Maughan 

Virgil  Hine 

August  ■ Walter  Miller 

Oliver  P.  Gothlin,  Jr. 

June  - 

John  P.  Richter 

Eugene  B.  Bayley 

John  Beveridge,  Jr. 

Dacho  M.  Reeves 

Leo  F.  Post 

July  - 

• Michael  E.  McEugo 

John  C.  Kennedy 

James  L.  Grisham 

William  A.  Hayward 

Earl  S,  Hoag 

Edmund  P.  Gaines 

Vincent  J . Meloy 

Harvey  W.  Prosser 

-81-  V-5998 , A. C. 


August 


Clayton  L.  Bissell  1931 

Horace  S.  Kenyon, Jr.  February 


September  - - - 

Leland  C . Hurd 

Robert  7.  Ignico 

March  - - 

Leland  H.  Hewitt 

April 

Leonidas  L.  Koontz 

Robert. J.  Brown, Jr. 
Clifford  C.  Nutt 

Isaiah  Davies 

■Edward  D.  Jones 
Merrill  D.  Mann 

Arthur  W . 7anaman 

Frank  0.  Carroll 
Frederick  W.  Evans. 

May 

Albert  C.  Foulk 
Edward  7.  Harbeck 
Edward  E.  Hildreth 
Samuel  G.  Frierson 

October  - - - - 

Harry  G.  Montgomery 

Fred  C.  Nelson 

James  A.  Healy 

Edward  M.  Morris 

Phillips  Melville 
John  G.  Williams 
William  C . Morris 
Albert  B.  Pitts 

Charles  Douglas 

Hugh  A.  Bivins 

Burton  F.  Lewis 

Elmer  J.  Bowling 

Orrin  J.  Bushey 

Bernard  S.  Thompson 
Willis  R.  Taylor 
Robert  D.  Knapp 
James  T.  Curry, Jr. 

Fred  S.  Borum 

June  - - - - 

William  B.  Souza 
Alfred  A.  Lindeburg 

November  - ~ - 

George  W.  Polk,  Jr. 
Kellogg- Sloan 

Devereux  M.  Afyers 

Alfred  W.  Marriner 

Guy  H.  Gale 

Muir  S.  Fairchild 

James  G.  Taylor 

Leland  W..  Miller 

Joseph  A.  Wilson 
Clements  McMullen 
Ames  S.  Albro 

Milo  McCune 

Chas.  M.  Rolbinson 
Benjamin  B.  Cassidy 
Charles  Y.  Banfill 
Myron  R;  Wood 

Raphael  Baez , Jr. 

Frank  B-.  Tyndall 

Robert  H.  Finley' 

‘ •'  • ••• 

Maxwell  W.  Balfour 

Don  L.  Hutchins 

Clarence . H . Welch 

Robert  T.  Cronau 

Ennis  C.  Whitehead  : : 
Alfred  J . Lyon 

Harold.  L.  Clark 

July 

Isaac  J.  Williams 
Clarence  E.  Shankle 
Donald  L . Bruner 
Lloyd  C.  Blackburn 

December  - - - - 

Sam  L.  Ellis 

Audrey  B.  Ballard 

George  G.  Lundberg 

John  H.  Gardner 

Eugene  ,L . Eubank 

Wm.  C . Goldsborough 

Lawrence  A.  Lawson 
Bayard  Johnson 

Walter  R.  Peck 

Frank  M.  Paul 

August  - - - - - 

Edward  H.  Wood 

Samuel  M.  Connell 
Charles  B.  DeShields 
John  S.  Ups  ton 

Emil  C.  Kiel 

Harold  L.  George 
Lewis  A.'  Dayton 

1931 

Reuben  C.  Moffat 

Russell  M.  Greenslade 
Paul  L.  Williams 
Clarence  P . Kane 

Harry  Weddington 

Younger  A.  Pitts 
Howard  L.  Bogert 
Burnie  R.  Dallas 
Benjamin  Griffin 
Ward  F.  Robinson 

January  - - - - 

Samuel  C.  Eaton,  Jr. 

oOo- 

— 

Recent  additions  of  general  interest  to  the  files  of  the  Information 
Division  were  the  following  mimeographed  pamphlets: 

U-941  The  Young  Man  and  the  Army  Air  Corps. 

U-955  A Short  History  of  Mather  Field,  Calif. 

U-956  Airplanes  Used  at  the  Air  Corps  Field  Exercises,  1930. 

U-957  Biography  of  Brigadier- General  William  E.  Gillmore,  Assistant  to 
the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps. 

These  pamphlets  may  be  secured  upon  application  "to  the  Information  Division 
Publications  Section,  Office  of  the  Chief  of  Air  Corps,  Washington,  D.O. 

-82-  " 7-5998,  A.C. 


SELECTING  A.  VOCAZST&RY  FOR  RADIO  TELEPHONY  . 

The  roar  of  the  .motors  imposes- a considerable  handicap  upon  airmen- who  at- 
tempt to  carry  on  conversation  in  the  air  via  radio.  For  this  reason  experi- 
ments have  been  made  hy  Air  Corips  officers  at  Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif., 
on  certain  words  which;: can'. he _ heard  to.- the  - he-st  advantage.  In  all,  500  words 
were  selected  for  the  first  elimination  list,  and  this  number  was  subsequently 
cut  to  an- even  hundred.  Consonants  ..especially  are  -hard  to- hear,,  except  where 

the  vowels  - in  .the  words  predominate A misunderstanding  In- messages,  easily  . 

enough  could  cause  -damage,  and  so  the  officers  have  spent  more  time  than  can  he 
imagined  in  selecting, their  list  of  words,  the  favorites  being  "Right" ; "Left" ; 
"Stop";  "Okey";'  "Good"  and  "Hit,"  all  of.  which  more,  or  less  referring  to  target 
practice.  . In  the  wo-r.fl  "Right"  for  example,  the  "r"  and  the  "t.-"-  are;  scarcely 
heard,  but -only  .the  vowels  " ;igh_"  and  in. ''.good"  it  is  the  "_po_J'  and  so  on. 

• The  act  of  telephoning  by  radio. from  plane  to  plane -has  advanced  to  such 
an  extent  at  Rockwell  Field,  that  the  game  -today  is.  no,  longer  an  experiment,  nor 
even  an  amusement.  It  is  almost  an  every  .day  business,  at  the  field  at  present. 

A check  up  of  recent  radio  activities  at  the. field  records  at  least  five  occa- 
sions where  the  business  in  hand  could  not  have  been  performed  without  the  use 
of  the- well  known  ear  phones. 

•.For  instance,  there  is  the  concrete  case  of  Lieut.-  C.H., Howard.  His.per- 
. forraance  . of  the  duties  of  Post -Exchange.  Off  icer.  demanded  so  much  of  his  time, 
that -not, enough  daylight  was  left  for  him  to  get  in  the  requisite  amount . of 

- flying /time  . to  entitle  him  .-to  draw  .flying,  pay*-  Availing  himself  of  the  opportu- 
nity to  make  .a,  trip  by  air  ®.n.  official  business,  .he  was  about  to  . make  a landing 

at.,- the  field  on  his  return  when  it  suddenly  .occurred  to  him  that  if  he  - could 
stay  up  for  another  half  .hour.. he  would  by  just -luck  squeeze  in  the  required., 
amount  ■ of , flying  - time.  - -He,  -telephoned  down ...  t o , Lieut . Valent  ine , '.  Commanding . 
Officer  of  the  11th  Bombardment..  Squadron f asking^if  it  was  true  that  he  .needed 
only  another  half  hour.  . After  checking  up  the  records,  Lieut.  Valentine  pboned 
back  to  -Lieut.  Howard  that  his  calculation  was  correct.  .The  latter  then,  re- 
quested  and-. received  permission  to  keep  .the  .plane  aloft  for  another  30. minutes. 

■ In  another  instance,, both ...  the  Pursuit  Squadron- and  the  Bombing  Squadron 
wore  pressed  for  time.  to  complete  their  full  training  schedule  cf  target  prac- 
tice. Bad  weather  and  fog  handicapped  the  training  throughout  the  week,  but  on 
one  • day . the-  sky  pr9mi.se  d;  to  - remain  clear  for  about  an  hour  or  so  .before  the' 
fog  closed  in  again.  Because  of  the  closeness  at  Rockwell  Field  of  the  machine 
gun  target  for  the  Pursuit  planes  t.o  the  target  for  the  Bombardment  planes,' 
neither  squadron  can  hold  target  practice  at  the  same  time.  ' 

,.The,,  95  th  Pursuit  Squadron  took  off  on.  tar-gpt . practice  first , and. while  they 
were  practicing  the- bombers  were  climbing  to  their  bombing., altitude.  Yet.  there 
was  no  way  for  them  to  tell  when  the  Pursuit  planes  were  . through.  At...  the 
proper  moment  the  bombers  were,  notified  by  radio  telephone  that,  they  could  pro- 
ceed with-  thoir  practice .-  No  time  was  lest  and  the  bombers  began  carrying-  on 
where  the. Pursuit  plane s had  left  off , and  in  this  way; the  .training  schedule 
for  both  organizations  was  completed  just  before  the.,  fog  rolled  in  again. 

A third  case  presented  itself,  when,  during  a cross-country  flight  from 
Rockwell  Field  to  San  Francisco,  the  11th  Bombardment  Squadroil,  led  by  Lieut. 
Valentine ,- the  Commanding  Off  icer encountered,  bad- weather.  Instead  of  the 
weather  improving  it  grew  worse  when  Bakersfield  was  reached.  Confronted  with 
the-posaiMlity. .-t&at-; ,4£~. the.  planes  continued  -on. ±0  .San  Francisco  they  might 
meet -such,  bad  -weather  .that-  they  could  net  land,  - nor,  .would-  they  have,  enough -gas 
•to  enable  -them  to  .return,.  Lieut.  Valentine  instructed  his.  rahio  operator,  to 
tune  in.' on  the  fje stern;- Aip  Radio  Reports.;  • Those  .came  each- hour,  and  through 
•them  the  Squadron  learned  that.cthe  weather  was.  clearer  ahead.  The . bombers 
continued.- nor-^hw^rdf.  without  risk  and-  were-  soon  in -the  clear.  . 

- • ( The  • aerial-  or  aniennq.  ,of,  .-the  planes,  instead  of  being- stretched  across  the 
wings...  as  might  be  . presumed,  are  lowered  overboard  to  -trail  behind  as-  so.cn  as 
the  plane  ip;  in  the  air.  These ;.  aerials,  are.  te.'med,  "fish"  because  of  the  strange 
shape-  of  ^e.  six-inch  leads  at : -their  ends.,  .-These  - "lead  fish"  dangle  behind.. 

125  feet,  as  if  attached-  to  .a  fish  line.,  and.  every  norland-  then  a pilot  forgets 
to  reel  in  the  "fish"  before  landing.  This,  causes;- no . damage  to  the  plane  but 
does- wreck ; the -antennaj;  ...  ....  . .1. 

-. DGiring.  a recent  landing  at  Oceanside,  Calif .,  .this  antenna  was  rigged  with 
one  end  to  a fence  post,  and  a steady  communication  was  established  with 
-.Rockwell  Field,  proving  that  the  radio  can  be  invaluable  during  a forced  landing 

-83-  V-5998 , A.C. 


in  some  wilderness. 

In  the  original  tests  while ' in ' the  air -the  generation  was  produced  by  a 
miniature  propeller  erected  on  the  fuselage.  The  little  prop  was  whirled  by 
the  wind  like  a toy  windmill.  But  Batteries  are  used  now  and  work  Better. 

■ . — ~o0o-- ~ 

COMMENDATION  BOR  LIEUT.  CORKILLE 

For  his ' exhibition  of  coolness,  courage  and  judgment  in  an  emergency  which 
would  have  justified  his  resorting  to  his  parachute  in  order  to  save  his  life, 
Maj or- General  James  E.  Fechet,  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  addressed  a letter  of 
commendation  to  1st  Lieut.  John  D.  Corkille,  Army  Air  Corps,  on  duty  with  the 
Flying  Branch  of  the  Materiel  Division,  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

While,  flight-testing  an  airplane  at.  an  altitude  of  7,000  feet,  a faulty 
carburetor  caused  the  engine  to  cease  functioning.  In  the  consequent  flooding 
of  the  car  Bure tor,  the  raw  gasoline  pouring  from  the  scoop  was  Blown  By  the 
slipstream  along  the  fuselage  and  into  the  Bottom  of  the  pilot’s  cockpit.  This 
gasoline  ignited  and  caused  a serioxis  fire  in  the  cockpit. 

Instead  of  abandoning  the  plane,  Lieut.  Corkille  waited  until  the  fire 
subsided  and  then  proceeded  ito  land  safely  at  the  home  field. 

"Your  presence  of  mind  and  quick  thinking  on  this  occasion  prevented  a 
much  more  serious  accident,"  General  Fechet  stated  in  his  letter,  "and  not 
only  saved  valuable  public  property  from  destruction  but  has  permitted  an  in- 
vestigation to  determine  the  cause  of  the  fire,  which  would  have  been  impos- 
sible had  the  airplane  been  allowed  to  crash.  Your  conduct  on  this  flight  was 
highly  commendable  and  is  worthy  of  the  best  traditions  of  the  Army  Air  Corps." 

Immediately  after  the  gas  was  ignited  by  backfire,  Lieut.  Corkille  turned 
off  the  supply,  but  the  heat  in  the  cockpit  became  so  intense  that  he  made 
ready  to  jump.  The  act  of  cutting  off  the  gas  supply,  however,  caused  the  fire 
to  subside-  sufficiently  to  enable  him  to  return  to  his  seat  and  glide  his 
plane  for  a landing  on  the  field.  On  the  way  down,  at  about  2,000  feet  alti- 
tude, the  gas  was  turned  on  again  to  try  to  catch  the  .motor,  But  when  he 
noticed  the  raw  fluid  again  coming  back  in  the  fuselage,  the  supply  was  again 
cut  off.  Immediately  thereafter  the  fuselage  started  blazing,  but  the  fire 
lasted  only  a few  seconds  and  burned  out.  'When  . the  gas  was  . turned  on  again 
the  engine  started  to  run  and  the  plane  was  landed. 

Subsequent  examination  of  the  plane  showed  evidence  of  a very  hot  fire 
in  the  cockpit  which  burned  through  the  fabric  of  the  fuselage  on  the  right 
side,  burned  off  connections  to  the  instruments  and.  sorched  the  paint  on  the 
metal  fuselage  members . 

Lieut.  Corkille  is  one  of  the  veteran  flyers  of  the  Army  Air  Corps.  He 
served  as  the  pilot  for  Captain  Albert  W.  Stevens,  Air  Corps,  on  the  remarkable 
photographic  expedition  last  summer  to  the  scenic  northwest,  when  aerial' photo- 
graphs of  mountain  peaks  were  taken  from  a distance  of  227  miles.  On  the  eve 
of  the  last  inauguration,  Lieut.  • Corkille  piloted  Captain  .Stevens  on  a night 
photographic  mission  over  Washington,  when  several  interesting  flashlight 
photographs  were  taken  of  the  Capitol  and  The  White  House. 

- — 0O0-— 

MICHIGAN  NATIONAL  GUARD  AIRMEN  STAGE  AERIAL  DEMONSTRATION 


The  formal  inspection  on  February  15th  of  the  107th  Observation  Squadron, 
32nd  Division  Air  Service , Michigan  National  Guard,,  was  featured  by  an-  aerial 
review,  formation  flying  and  a bombing  mission  over  Lake  St . Clair.  The  three 
0-2  Observation  planes  flown  in-  this  mission- were  oquipped  with  machine  guns, 
radio  apparatus,  camera  and  bombs.  Major  Floyd  E.  Evans.,  Commanding  Officer 
©f  the  Squadron,  led  the  flight,  with  Lieut.  J.R.  Walsh  as  observer.  Lieut. 
p.H.  Wilson, with  Lieut.  R.C.  DesAutles  as  radio  operator,  flew  No . 2 position, 
and  Captain  H.L.  Emhoff,with  Lieut.  J-.G.  Kalec  as  photographer,  flew  No.  3 po- 
sition with  six  bombs,  attached  to  the  lower  wings.  This  formation  was  escort- 
ed by  nine  pursuit  planes  from  Self ridge  Field  under  the  command  of  Major 
Ralph  Royce . Radio  communication  was  maintained  with  the  field  and  broadcast 
through  loud  speakers  to  the  public. 

Between  four  and  five  thousand  persons  had  assembled  to  witness  the 
maneuvers  despite  the  fact  that  tho  temperature  was  only  eight  degrees  above 
zero. 


-84- 


V-5998 ,A. C. 


CRISSY  FIELD  AIRMEN  MAKE  FINE  SHO TOG  IN  PISTOL  PRACTICE 
Ijy  the  Hews  Letter  Correspondent 

Hinety  percent  of' the  personnel  of  the  91st  Observation  Squadron,  station- 
ed at  Crissy  Field,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Calif.,  made  qualifying  scores 
in  their  pistol  practice  (main  ©eason)  which  was  completed  on  March  1st.  Of 
the  140  enlisted  men  who  fired,  30 $ qualified  as  experts,  21$  as  sharpshooters 
and  39$  as  marksmen, . The  total  number  of  men  qualifying  was  127,  or  90$. 

The  News  Letter  Correspondent  states  that  while  this  probably  does  not  con- 
stitute a world1 s record  or  any  other  record,  we  feel  that  our  men  may  well  he 
proud  of  the  results,  which  were  due  principally  to  the  efforts  of  2nd  Lieut  s. 
William  Ball,  Air  Corps;  Nelson  D.  Jenkins , Air  Reserve,  and  Staff  Sergeant 
William  B.  Townsend,  91st  Observation  Squadron.  In  addition  to  demonstrating 
his  ability  as  a pistol  marksmanship  instructor,  Sergeant  Townsend  proceeded  to 
practice  personally  what  he  preached,  for  he  attained  the  highest  score  of  all 


officers  and  men  firing. 

The  following  men  qualified  as  Experts  with  the 
Staff  Sgt.  Wm.  B.  Townsend  97.8$  Sergeant 

scores  indicated: 
Roy  B.  Brooks 

90.4$ 

Private 

John  W.  Shadowens 

97. 

Private 

Chas.  W.  Gordon 

89.2 

Private 

Vincent  J.  Hobart 

94.1 

Corporal 

Oliver  Swihart 

89.2 

Sergeant 

Charles  H.  Irwin 

94. 

Sergeant 

Reinat  Olsen 

8911 

Private 

Ray  E.  Covey 

93.5 

Staff  Sgt. 

E.  J.  Raymond 

89. 

Private 

Paul  E.  Overby 

93.3 

Pvt.  1st  Cl. 

G-.B.  Corkran 

89. 

Private 

James  E.  Beeson 

93.1 

Private 

William  H.  Evans 

88.7 

Pvt.  1st 

Cl . Leo  I.  Traxler 

92. 

Private 

James  H.  Lane 

88.7 

Private 

John  B.  Gresham 

92. 

Pvt.  1st  Cl. 

Jos.  Danhoff 

88.6 

Pvt . 1st 

Cl.  Harold  F . Gilbert 

91.6 

Pvt.  1st  Cl. 

John  Benedict 

87.6 

Private 

Sparr  E . 01s son 

91.3 

Pvt.  1st  Cl. 

K.  A.  Hambel 

87.2 

Sergeant 

Peter  N.  Feeney 

91.2 

Private 

Paul  L.  Heuett 

87.1 

Pvt.  1st 

Cl.  George  J.  Bruns 

91.1 

Private 

Theo.  E.  Johnson 

87. 

Private 

John  I.  Felkey 

91. 

Private 

Willis  ?.  Allen 

86.6 

Private 

Arthur  Kind 

91. 

Private 

Howard  C.  Hume 

86.6 

Sergeant 

James  Forshaw 

90.8 

Pvt.  1st  Cl. 

Roy  E . Woodruff 

85.7 

Corporal 

John  A.  Robinson 

90.8 

Staff  Sgt. 

H . B.  Kannolt 

85.6 

Pvt.  1st 

Cl.  Marl  M.  Clark 

90.8 

Private 

Frank  D.  Hicks 

85.5 

Private 

Walter  E .Schwager 

90.8 

Private 

Carl  A.  Stein 

85.3 

Private 

Vernon  R.Drinkwine 

90.6 

Private 

Wm.  G-.  Harrison 

85.1 

Private 

Miller  0.  Jackson 

90.6 

Staff  Sgt. 

Dan  C.  Pruitt 

85. 

Practically  all  of  the  officers 

stationed  at  the  field  made  qualifying 

scores  in  their  pistol  practice , 

, for 

of  the  21  officers  who  fired,  43$  qualified 

as  experts,  14$  as  sharpshooters  and 

39$  as  marksmen.  The  following  are 

our 

experts,  with-  their  resipective  scores: 

1st  Lieut . Joseph  R.  Hargrove , Air  Reserve,  94.5 $ 

2nd  Lieut.  George  W.  Hansen,  Air  Corps,  92.6 

2nd  Lieut.  Edward  V.  Pettis,  Air  Reserve,  92.6 

2nd  Lieut.  Kenneth  C.  Brown,  Air  Corps,  90. 

■2nd  Lieut.  Otis  B.  Crawford,  Air  Reserve,  ‘ 89.3 

2nd  Lieut.  Henry  B.  Fisher,  Air  Reserve,  89.2 

1st  Lieut.  LeRoy  A.  Walthall  , Air  Corps,  87.1 

2nd  Lieut.  Allen  Chapman,  Air  Reserve,  85.7 

2nd  Lieut.  Nelson  D.  Jenkins,  Air  Reserve,  85.1 


It  was  necessary  to  curtail  somewhat  the  preliminary  exercises,  such  as 
trigger- squeeze , sighting,  etc.,  due  to  the  receipt  of  orders  for  the  91st 
Observation  Squadron  to  proceed  to  Mather  Field  the  beginning  of  March  as 
advance  guard  for  the  annual  Air  Corps  Maneuvers  to  be  held  there  from  about 
April  1st  to  April  24th.  For  the  same  reason  it  was  necessary  to  delay  until 
a little  later  the  pistol  firing  of  the  15th  Photo  Section. 

The  personnel  of  Crissy  Field  anticipate  a busy  two  months  in  preparing 
tether  Field  for  the  Air  Corps  Maneuvers , administering  that  field  during  same, 
participating  therein  as  the  only  observation  squadron,  and  maintaining  the 
necessary  post  overhead  at  Crissy  Field,  Wo  hope  to  perform  all  these  duties 
in  a creditable  manner  and,  during  March,  accomplish  at  least  some  aerial 
gunnery  training  which  was  originally  scheduled  for  April. 

, -85- 


V-5998,A.C. 


S TRANDED.  _S ELFPJDGE_AIRMEN'''MAin^^  .TREK  ,-OVER  SNOW 


It  will  be  recalled  that  Lieut.  Norman  D.  Sillin,  JLir-  Corps,’  a member  of 
the  Arctic  Patrol  Plight  of  the  1st  Pursuit  Croup,  was  forced  down  at  Cooks, 
Michigan,  on  the  return  trip,  due  to  a broken  connecting  rod.  After  a delay 
of  four  days  he’ flew  in  to  Selfridge  Pield  on  February  2nd,  thus  accounting  for 
all  the  Pur suiters  who  started  on  the  memorable  flight  to  Spokane.  In  the  last 
issue  of  the  News  Letter  it  was  .stated  that  Lieut.  Harry  A.  Johnson  in  a C-9 
Transport,  accompanied  by  four  mechanics,  and  ferrying  a new  engine,  flew  to 
the  spot  where  Lieut.  Sillin  landed  but  was  forced  to  go  to  Manistique,  the 
nearest  airport,  from  which  place  the  engine  was  hauled  to  Cooks. 

On  taking  off  from  Manistique  for  the  return  flight  to  Selfridge  Pield, 
Lieut.  Johnson  was  forced  to  fly  low  due  to  snow,  when  suddenly  the  right  and 
center  engines  quit  and  the  Transport  stuck  her  nose  down.  It  was  all  over, 
however,  before  reaching  hands  could  grasp  whatever  there  was  to  grasp,  and 
when  everyone  was  out  of  the  plane  and  the  startled  mechanics  had  a few  minutes 
to  quiet  their  palpitating  hearts  they 'found  themselves  waist  deep  in  snow  and 
evidently  miles  and  miles  from  any  sort  of  habitation. 

Immediate  and  careful  inspection  disclosed  the  fact  that  the  landing  had 
been  made  on  a small  field  on  the  side  of  a large  hill  and  that  under  the  snow 
the  entire  field  was  dotted  with  stumps.  In  landing,  one  of  these  .stumps  tore 
off  the  right  skii  and  the  subsequent  jar  had  thrown  the  right  engine  entirely 
out  of  the  mounting,  destroying  that  wing.  It  did  not  take  a great  deal' of 
thought  or  concentration  to  bring  home  the  fact  that  the  plane  would  require  a 
complete  overhaul  and  if  they  were  going  any  place  they  might  as  well  get  start- 
ed. Luckily,  just  before  landing,  Lieut.  Johnson  had  spotted  the  town  of  .Alba, 
Michigan,  and  the  long  trek  over  the  snow-covered,  unt racked. hills  began. ’ No 
trails  or  roads  had  been  broken’ .'through  for  days  and  it  was  a leg  sore  and 
weary  gang  that  finally,  at  dark,  ■ trooped  disconsolately  into  this  little 
northern  town. 

Many  days  the  crew  spent  in  this  ’north  country  among  kind  and  friendly' 
farmers  before  the  ship  could- be  dismantled  and  hauled  over  hastily  improvised 
roads  to  the  freight  station  at  Alba,  where  shipment  was  made  to  the  Pord 
Company  at  Dearborn,  Michigan. 

Several  days  later  all  the  personnel  reached  Selfridge  Field  high  in  their 
praise  of  the  hospitality  of  the  snow-bound  farmers  in  upper  Michigan. 

— oOo , 

GNHhVffiEEL  LANDINGS 

Lieixt . Richard  E.  Cobb,  Air  Corps,  flying  a C-l,  recently  made,  minus  one 
wheel,  a perfect  two-point  landing  at  the' Fairfield  Air  Depot,  Ohio.  The  wheel 
was  lost  soon  after  taking  off  from  Self ridge  Pield.  With  him  were,  three  pas- 
sengers, Lieuts.  Underhill,  Gio.vannoli  and  Bhudy.  The  story  of  their  predica- 
ment was  telephoned  ahead  and  the  usual  signal  was  given  prior  to  settling  down 
the  Transport.  Tne  airmen  returned  to  Self ridge  Field  in  four  P-l’s  which  had  h 
received  major  overhauls  in  the  Fairfield  shops. 

Successfully  accomplishing  the  hazardous  feat  of  landing  a huge  bomber  with 
only  one  good  wheel,  Lieut.  William  Groen,  Jr.  , Rockwell  Field’ pilot,  saved  his 
life  and  that  of  five  enlisted  passengers  on  the  afternoon  of 'March  4th. 

Lieut.  Groen  was  piloting  a Keystone  LB-7  bomber  and  took  off  as  one  member 
of  a three-plane  formation.  In.  some  manner  one  of  the  wheels  of  the  plane  was  gj 
so  badly  damaged  in  the  take-off  that  it  was  useless,  but  those  in  the  plane 
were  unaware  of  the  fact.  When  those  on  the  ..ground -saw  What  happened,  Captain  .. 
H.M.  Elmendorf  and  Lieut.  I. A,  -Uoodring  took  off  in  pursuit  of  the  .bomber,  and 
by  diving  and  other  maneuvers  attracted  the  attention  -of  the  occupants  of  the 
bomber.  A mechanic  looked  ever  the  side,  saw  what  was  wrong  and  wrote  a note 
to  Lieut.  Groen,  explaining  the . situation.  iy  this  time,  the’ bomber  was  at  an 
altitude  of  about  1500'  feet.  ■ ’ 

Circling  down  over' the  field,  Lieut.  Groen  signalled  that  he' was  about  to 
land.  All  precautions  for  an  accident  were  taken  at  once.  The  army  ambulance 
and  the  fire  engine  took  up  stations  at  the  indicated  landing  place,  and  with’ 
breathless  interest  those  on  the  ground  waited  for  what  they  feared  might  be  a 
serious  crash.  Lieut.  Groen,  however,  was  master  of  the.  situation  and,  tipping 
his  plane  away  from  -the  side:  on  which  the  damaged  wheel  was  attached,  landed  on 
one  wheel,  bumping  aleng  over  the  field .until  he  was  no  longer  able  to  balance 
the  slowing  plane.  There  was  a crash  and  a ripoing  of  fabric,  and  the  nlane 

-86-  ' y-5998,A.C, 


settled  dowm  in  a cloud  of  dust.  Ambulance  .and  fire  engine  crews  rushed  to 
the  spot  hut,  happily,  they  were  confronted  by  the  pilot  and  crew  of  the  plane 
emerging  unhurt  from  the  wreckage. 

One  wing  of  the  plane' was  wrecked,  hut  neither  the  motors  nor  the  propel- 
lers  were  damaged.  Fellow  officers  declared  that  Lieut.  Groen* s landing  was  a 
perfect  one  and  that  his  skill  alone  averted  what  might  otherwise  have  been  a 
major  accident. 

o0o~— 

• EIGHT  FLYING  AT  SSLFRIDGE  FIELD 

■ Night  flying,  something  which  heretofore  was  confined  to  arrivals  after 
dusk  at  Self ridge  Field,  actually  became  a reality,  and  from  the  interest  it 
created  over  the  surrounding  country  an  interesting  treat  was  afforded  those 
who  witnessed  the  flights.'  The  roads  leading  to  Self ridge  Field  were  thick  . 
with  cars,  and  hundreds  were  parked  along  the  paved  road  west  of  the  field. 

This  particular  night  flying  consisted  of  a test  by  the  15th  Observation 
Squadron  of  the  modified  Mark  I Airplane  Flares.  Flights  were  made  on  the 
19th,  20th' and  21st , and  the  billion  candle-power  BBT  floodlight  -covered  the 
field  for  landings  and  take-offs  with  daylight.  This  particular  light  is  just 
another . remarkable  creation  - one  which  recalls  the  time  at  Paranaque  Beach  in 
the  Philippines  when  we  poured  a Tee  of  gasoline  on  the  very  small  flying  field 
and  ignited  it  so  that  Captain  Ira  C.  Faker,'  returning  from  Stotsenburg,  might 
know  the  wind  direction  and  the  approximate  location  of  the  field.  At  that 
time  all  was  rush,  worry  and  chaos.  Now  all  we  do  is  to  just  push  or  pull  a 
switch.  Fhat  a difference!'  : 

— oOo- — 

ENDURANCE  FLYER  DROPS  IN  AT  SELFRIDGE 

-Practically  everyone  with  any  time  in  the  Air  Corps  at'  all ^remembers  Byron 
K.  Newcomb,  ex-Staff  Sergeant  and  pilot  extraordinary,  who  for  so  many  years 
was  a member  of  .the  First' Pursuit  Group.  He  paid  a visit  to  Self  ridge  Field 
the  other  day,  driving  in  from  his  home  town  in  Akron,  Ohio,  where  he  has  been 
employed  as  a:  pilot. 

Newcomb  joined  the  Air -Corps  as  a Cadet  at-  Carlstrom  Field,  Arcadia,  Fla., 
on  January  1,  1920,  going  to  the  Advanced  Flying  -School  at  Ellington  Field, 
Houston,  Texas,-  on  September  1st-.  Upon  his  graduation  he  was  immediately  as- 
signed, to  duty  as-  flying  instructor  at  Carlstrom  Field. 

In  January,  1922y  Newcomb  was  assigned"  to  the  1st  Pursuit  Group,  then  at 
ELI ingt on-  Field,  with  which  Organization  he' remained,  except  for -details  in-' 
1923,  1924  and  1926  as  an  Instructor  at  the  Air  Corps  Primary  Flying  School 
at  Brooks  Field, - Texas , until  November  1,  1928.  On  this  date  Sergeant  Newcomb 
was  discharged  by  purchase  to  enable  him  to  accept  a position  as  an  instructor 
in  a flying  school  at  Cleveland,  Ohio.  Flying  over  Cleveland  in  a Stinson 
plane  with  another  ex-Staff  "Sergeant  of  the  Air  Corps,  Roy  L.  Mitchell,  he 
broke  the  then  existing  world* s record  for  continuous  flight. 

At  the  time  of  hi s -discharge  from  the  military  service,  Newcomb  had  flown 
practically  every  type  of  military  aircraft,  and  had  a total  of  3,493  hours  and 
5 minutes  in  the  air  as  pilot.  ■ 

Readers  of  the  Air  Corps  News  Letter  will  remember  Newcomb  for  many  things- 
probably  mostly  for  his  argumentative  disposition-  and  his  keen,  and  scathing 
wit.  Newcomb  would  argue  .about;  anything.  There  was  one  argument,  however, 
which  he  never  won,  which  was  demonstrative-  of  that  particular  "weakness"  in 
his  disposition.  Like- most  arguments,  no  one  remembers  how  it  started.  It  per- 
tained, however.,  to  a. -bullet  fired  from,  a gun  at  the  rate  of  60  miles  per  hour 
with  the  gun  mounted  on  a train  moving  -in  the  direction  of  fire  at  the'  same 
rate  of  speed*  Fniche.ver.  side  Newcomb,  took,  the:  entire - section  arrayed  thorn- 
selves  solidly  against  him,  and  when  he  finally  slammed- on  his  hat  and  burst 
from  the  room  the  bullet  was .half  in  and  half  out  of  the  muzzle  of  the  gun. 

oQo-« — 

The  Secretary  of  Uar  has  directed  that  the  band  of  the  First  Chemical 
Regiment,  Edgewood  Arsenal,  be  rendered  inactive  on  April  4,  1930,  and  its  per- 
sonnel transferred  in  grade  and  rating  to  the  band  of  the  Air  Corps  Primary 
Flying  School,  March  Field,  Calif.  After,  the  transfer  has  been  effected  the 
band  will  be  moved  as  early  as  practicable  to  Brooklyn,  N.Y.,  from  which  port 
it  will  sail  by  transport  to  San  Francisco.,  and  thence  by  rail  to  March  Field. 

-87-  V-5998,  A.  C. 


MEMORIAL  UNVEILED  AT  FAIRFIELD  TO  ITALIAN  AIRMAN 

The  ceremony  of  unveiling  a tablet  in  memory  of  Lieutenant'  Giovanni 
Pirelli,  Italian . aviator,  a.  member  of  an  Italian  Military  Mission  to  the 
United  States,  who  was  killed  at  Wilbur  Wright  Field  on  February  4,  1919, 
when  the  Balilla  airplane  he  was  piloting  plunged  to  the  ground  from  200 
feet,  took  place  at  Fairfield,  Ohio,  at  3:30  P.M.  on  Wednesday,  March  12, 
Services  were  held  cn  the  spot  on  which  the  plane  fell,  where  the  tablet, 
which  is  of  stone,  measuring  20  by  30  inches,  is  placed.  All  officers  of 
Wright  Field  and  Fairfield  were  present. 

General  Foulcis  made  the  opening  address . Presentation  of.  the  tablet  to 
the  United  States  Government  was  made  by  Commander  Silvio  Scaroni , Air  Attache 
•of  the  Royal  Italian  Embassy,  Washington,  D.C. , and  its  acceptance  acknowledged: 
by  Major  H.H.  Arnold,  Commanding  Officer  of  Fairfield.  Commander  Scaroni  and 
Major  paolc  Shernarori  arrived  from  Washington  on  the  morning  of  the  ceremony. 

Lieutenant  Pirelli  was  35  years  old  when  he  fell  to  his  death  in  1919. 

He  was  a member  of  a prominent  family  of  Milan,  Italy,  and  had  spent  three 
years  upon  the  Italian -Austrian  battle  front.  He  was  credited  with  downing 
at  least  four  enemy  airplanes  and  had  hoe n decorated  four  times  for  his  daring  jl; 
and  bravery,  one  award. being  a special  military  cross  of  .merit  from  the 
Italian  Government. 

General  Foulois  said  in  part;  "During  the  uncertain  weeks  immediately 
following  the  Armistice , it  was  essential  that  experimental  and  research  ac- 
tivities should  "carry  on"  until  conditions  were  definitely  settled.  It  was 
while  cooperating  to  the  full  with  American  engineers  and  giving  them  the  ex- 
perience of  his  broad  aerial  experience  that  Lieutenant  Pirelli’s  end  came  so 
suddenly.  His  extreme  devotion  to  duty  and  unusually  pleasing  personality  en- 
deared him  to  o.ur  hearts  from  his  very  a.rrival  in  this  country.  He  was  one  of  i 
us  in  a common  cause.  - - Eleven  years  have  passed  but  his  sacrifice  has  not 
been  in  vain.  -His  example  while  among  us  and  his  passing  at  a time  when  he 
was  so  actively  engaged  in  service  to  two  great  nations  can  not. he  soon  for- 
gotten. It  is  an  important  link  in  the  bond  of  friendship  between  Italy  and 
America." 

Commander  Scaroni  in  the  presentation  address  spoke  of  having  served  with  ] 
Lieutenant  Pirelli  in  the.  World  War  and  of  the  love  and  respect  the  officer 
held  both  for  his  remarkable  personality  and  his  ability.  His  Italian  brother  ji 
officers  'felt  that  Italian  Aviatiop  could  have  been  better  represented  in  the 
United  States! by  no  other.  He  thanked  the  United  States  and  the  historic 
Fairfield  for  allowing  the  stone  to  be  placed  in  commemoration  of  his  lost 
comrade,  both  ih  the  name  of  Pirelli’s  family  and. in  his  own  name,  and  felt 
that  the  simple  stone  would  always  stand  as  a symbol  of  the  spirit  of  coopera-  | 
tion  and  friendship  between  the  American  and  the  Italian  peoples. 

- — -oOo- — - 

■ .-. 

CONNECTICUT  AIRMEN. FLY  TO  MIAMI 

As  a means  of  training  in  cross-country  flying  for  officers  of  the  118th 
Observation  Squadron, C .N.G . , permission  was  requested  of  and  granted  by  the 
Militia  Bureau. for  a flight  of  this  organization  to  attend  the  National  Air 
Races  at  Miami,  Fla. 

The  following  officers  and  men  made  up  the  flight; 

Major  H.E . Johnson-  Staff  Sgt . E.M,  Walker 

1st  Lieut.  H.H.  Mills  Staff  Sgt.  H.H.  Homan 

1st  Lt . E.L.  Markham  1st  Lieut . R.M. Webster ,D.O .L. , A. C. Instructor . 

The  three  planes  used  were  an  02K,  flown  by  Major  Johnson;  an  0-11,  flown • j 
by  Lieut.  Mills;  and  an  XO-12,  flown  by  Lt . Webster . 

This  flight  was  accompanied  by  a civilian  plane,  owned  by  the  Department 
of  Aeronautics,  State  of  Connecticut,  a Fought  Corsair,  which  was  flown  by 
Capt . H.W . Generous,  118th  Observation  Squadron,  and  carrying  as  passenger 
Capt.  C.M.  Knox  of  the  118th  Observation  Squadron. 

Plans  were  made  to  leave  Hartford  at  8:00  A.M. , January  10,  but,  due  to 
heavy  fog,  the  start  was  delayed  until  L: 40  P.M. 

The  first  log  of  the  hop  landed- the  flight  at  Bolling  Field,  Washington, 
where  the  airmen  remained  over  night. - 

On  January  13th,  the  flight  left  Belling  Field  at  8:50  A.M,  for  pope 
Field,  Fayetteville,  IT.C.,  via  Richmond  and  Raleigh.  Visibility  was  poor  and 

-88-  V-5998.A.C. 


the -flight  did  not  ascend  over  1,000  ft.  of  altitude.  At  11:30  A. M.  the  flight 
landed  at  Pope  Field,  lunched  at  the  Officers’  Mess,  and  at  ,1;00  P.M,  departed 
for  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  via  Charleston,  S.C.,  and  Savannah,  Ga.  About  forty 
miles  outside  of  Charleston  weather  and  low  clouds  were  encountered  and  flying 
was  difficult.  From  that  point  on  the  Georgia  Swamps  were  very  much  in  evidence. 

On  arriving  at  St .Simon’s  Island,  near  Brunswick,  Ga.,  the  fog  increased 
and,  due  to  the  low  clouds,  the  first  two  ships  in  the  flight  were  separated 
from  the  second  two.  For  that  reason  Major  Johnson  and  C apt . Generous  turned 
hack  and  landed  at'  Re  d'f  'era  Field,  St  .Simon’s  Island.  Li  puts.  Mills  and  Webster 
continued  on  and  landed. at  Jacksonville,  Fla., at  5:2Q  P.M. 

The  two’  planes  which  landed  on  St. Simon's  Island  were  held  there  by  bad 
weather  for  two  day's.  Lieuts.  Webster  and  Mills  left  Jacksonville  at  1:30  P.M. 
on  the  13th  and  arrived  at  Miami  at  5:15  P.M.  On  January  14th  the  fog  lifted 
sufficiently  around  St. Simon ’ s Island  to  enable  Major- Johnson  and  Capt .Generous 
to  get  off.  They  left  at  11:00  A.M.  and  landed  at  Jacksonville  40  minutes  later- 
in  a light  rain.  After  the  ships  were  serviced  the  airmen  took  off  at  12:45  P.M. 
for  Miami  and  arrived  there  at  4:30  P.M. 

The  flight  remained  in 'Miami  on  January. 15th  and  16th,  since  the  races 
continued  through  the  15th.  On  the  following  day  motor  trouble  was  experienced 
on  the  Vought  "Corsair",  which  held  the  flight  in  Miami  all  through  that  day. 

January  17th  at  S:3C  A.M.  the  flight  took  off  for  St .Petersburg,  Fla. 

There  were  low  clouds  for  the  first  half 'hour  but  the  flight  progressed  to  a 
higher  ceiling  and  more  favorable  flying  conditions.  The  flight  passed  over 
the  south  end  of  Lake  Okeechobee  and  past  the  old  Air  Service  Flying  School 
field  at  Arcadia,  and  landed  at  St .Petersbrug  at  2:00  P.M. 

Governor  and  Mrs . Trumbull  of  Connecticut  who  were  spending  a few  weeks  at 
St .Petersburg,  were  at  the  airport  to  meet  the  flight  when  it  arrived. 

Due  to  rain,  the  flight  remained  at  St .Petersburg  on  the  18th, but  on  the 
19th  departed  at  10:50  A.M.  for  Tallahassee,  Fla.,  with  bost  wishes  from  the 
Governor  and  Mrs.  Trumbull,  who  were  at  the  airport  to  see  the  flight  take  off. 

About  thirty  minutes  out  of  St .Petersburg,  and  flying  at  an  altitude  of 
.1,000  ft.  due  to  low  ceiling,  the  0-11,  flown  by  Lieut.  Mills,  developed  motor 
trouble.  As  a result',  the  entire  flight  turned  back  to  Tampa  for  repairs.  The 
necessary  repairs  having  been  taken  care  of,  the  flight  took  off  for  Talla- 
hassee at  1:30  P.M,,  and  arrived  there  at  4:00  P.M. 

On  January  20th,  the  flight  left  Tallahassee  at  9:55  A.M.  for  Birmingham, 
Ala.  Flying,  conditions  were ' good,  except  for  first  twenty-five  miles  out, 
when  some  fog:  was  encountered.  The  flight  landed  at  Robert’s  Field,  Ala. 
(Birmingham)  at  12:25  P.M.  and  were  the  guests  of  the  officers  of  the  106th 
Observation  Squadron. 

Weather  reports  indicated  that  they  were  liable  to  encounter  bad  weather 
between  Birmingham  and  Nashville  and  so  decision  was  nade  to  remain  in  Birming- 
ham for  the  night. 

January  21st  being  rainy  and. foggy,  the  flight  remained  at  Birmingham. 

On.  January.  2.2d,  from  early  mofni'ng'  tb  about  2:00  P.M.,'  weather  conditions 
were  very  poor  with  exceptionally  low  ceiling  and  plenty  .of  rain.  At  2:45  P.M. 
•weather  conditions  looking  more  favorable,  the  flight  left  Birmingham -for  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.-  Flying, : conditions  were  very  poor,  a heavy  haze  and  low  ceiling 
prevailing.  The  flight,  however,  pushed  on  to  Murfeesburg,  Tenn.,'  and  landed 
at  4:30.  P.M. , at.  Sky  .Harbor  Airport.  Although  the  flight  landed  at  Sky  Harbor, 
Murfeesburg,  it  continued  on  by  motor  bus  to  Nashville  where  it  was  met  by  mem- 
bers of  the  Air  Service,  Tennessee  National  Guard,  and  was  their  guest  for  that 
evening.  It  was  the  good,  fortune  of  this  flight  to  meet  Lieut.  Vincent  Meloy 
of  the  Militia  Bureau  who  happened  to  be  at  Nashville  at  that  time. 

On  January  23d  the  'flight  left  Murfeesburg  at  9:45  A.M.  at  a temperature 
of  about  zero,  and  arrived  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  at  12:35  P.M.,  where  they  found 
that  the  temperature  around  nine  degrees  below  zero . During  the. flight,  Capt. 
Generous  in  the'  Vought , who  was  leading  the  flight,  had  the  misfortune  to 
freeze  his  face.  Through  immediate  medical  attention,  however,  Capt.  Generous 
will  not  experience  any  bad  effects. 

.The  flight  remained  at  Dayton  the  rest  of  the  day  and  departed  for  Cleve- 
land on  January  24th  at  2:25  P.M.  A strong  tail  wind  speeded  the  flyers  on- 
ward and  at  3 : 40  PLM.  they  landed  in  Cleveland  where  they  were  the  guests  of 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  the  Officers  of  the  112th  Observation  Squadron. 

Weather  reports  being  bad  and  showing  some  snow  around  Buffalo,  the  flight 
remained  on  the  ground  on  the  25th,  but  on  the  26th  they  left  Cleveland  at 

-89-  V-5998 , A. C. 


10:55  .A Jt.  for-'  Buffalo,,  arriving,  there  at_  12:30  P.M.  where  the  ships  were  ser- 
viced,'. At'.T:45  P.M..  the  flight,  left-.  Buffalo  -for  Hartford,,  arriving  at  4:40  P.M. 
after  a very  cold  trip.  _ ... ' _ ' 

Members  of  the  flight  feel  that  very  worthwhile  contacts  were'  made  on  this 
trip  and  it  is  their  hope ; that  it  -may  be  repeated  in  future  years. 

— -oOo 


LARGS  CLASS  TO  ATTEND  AIR  CORPS  TACTICAL  SCHOOL 


The  largest-  student  class  in  the  history  of  the  Air  Corps  Tactical  School, 
Langley  .Field,.  7a.,,  is  scheduled  to  start  the  next  course  in  the  latter  part  of 
August.  A total  of  25 ..students.  - 5 Maj ors,  10  Captains  and  10  First  Lieutenants) 
are  under  orders  to  report  to  the  Commandant  of  the  School  not  later  than 
August  24th,  viz: 


Majors.  . 

Lawrence  S.  Churchill,  Langley  .Field,  Va. 
Ralph  P.  Cousins,  Philippine  Department 
S.  W.  FitzGerald,  Brooks  Field,  Texas 
Walter  G.  Kilner,  Langley  Field,  Ya. 
Charles  B.  Oldfield,  Brooks  Field,  Tex, 
Captains 


Captains  ( Cont * d) 

Donald  Wilson,  Langley  Field,  Ya. 
Harry  H . Y oung,  ‘ Ins t r . N.  G . , S t . Loui s . 

1st  Lieutenants 
Harold  W. 


Wm.  Y.  Andrews,  Langley  Field,  Ya. 

Robert  G.  Breene , Wright  Field,  Ohio. 

Claire  L.  Chennault,  ‘Brooks  Field, Tex. 
Idwall  H.  Edwards,  March  Field,  Calif, 

Wm.  S.  Gravely,'  Kelly  Field,  Texas. 

Thomas  :W.  Hastey , O.C.A.C.  Washington. 
Lester  T.  Miller,  Langley  Field,  Ya. 

Victor  H,  Strahm,  Selfridge'  Field,  Mich. 

■ • ■ _ — oOo — d 


Beaton,  Langley  Field,  Va. 
Chas.  C.  Chauncey,  Langley  Field,  Ya. 
Burnie  R.  Dallas,  Rockwell  Field,  Calif 
Eugene  L.  Eubank,  Wright' Field,  Ohio. 
Emil.C.  Kiel,  Kelly  Field,  Texas. 

W.  T.  Larson,  Kelly  Field,  Texas. 
George  C.  McDonald,  Langley  Field, Va. 
George  A.  McHenry,  Ft . Crockett , Tex. 
Wm.  J,.  McKiernan,  Langley  Field,  Va. 
E.  C.  Whitehead,'  Wright  Field,  Ohio. 


AIB  COBPS : OFFICERS  DETAILED  TO  ARMY  WAR, COLLEGE 


The  detail  of  four  field:  officers  of  the  Air  Corns  to  duty  as  students  at 
the  Army  War  College  with  the  August,  1930,  Class,  will  involve  changes  in  as 
many  important  assignments;  . The  four  .officers  who  received  orders  assigning 
them  to  the  War  College' are  Major  James  E.  Chaney,  Commandant  of  the  Advanced 
Flying  School,  Kelly  Field,  Texas;  Major  Jacob  E.  Fickel,  Executive  Officer  of 
the  Materiel  Division,  Wright  Field,  Ohio;  Major  Walter  H.  Frank,  Assistant 
Commandant  of  the  Air  Corps  Tactical  School,  Langley  Field,  Va.  ;.  .and  Major  Hugh 
J.  Kherr,  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Bombardment  Group,  Langley  Field*  ,Ya. 

oOo 


MANEUVERS  -IN  THE  PHILIPPINES  PHOTOGRAPHED 


The  6th  Photo  Section,  stationed  at  Nichols  Field,  Bizal,  P.I.,  had  a busy 
month  performing  a 'considerable  amount  of  photographic  work  in  connection  with 
the  recent  Philippine  Division  Maneuvers  which  were  held  at  Batangas  and  vicini-> 
ty,  50  miles  south  of  Manila.  A reconnaissance  strip  was  made  of  the  road  from 
Manila  to  Batangas.,  also  a mosaic  of  Batangas  Bay.  and  inland,  approximately  100 
square  miles,,  at  scales  of  1-10,000  and  1-12,000,  delivering  the.  prints  to  all 
departments  interested  prior  to  the  start  of  the  maneuvers. 

Daily  'photographic  missions' were  flown  during  -the.  course  of  the  maneuvers 
over  truck  trains,  .marches,  camps,  batteries  and  bridges'.  The  laboratory  work 
was  done  at  Nichols  Field,  and  the  finished  photographs  sent  by  plane  to 
Batangas  and  dropped  the -same  morning  they.  were,  taken, 

GRADUATION  OF  ADVANCED  SCHOOL  STUDENTS 

The  graduation 'exercises  of  the  Advanced  Flying  School,  Kelly  Field,  San 
Antonio,  Texas,  were  held  on  February  27th.  The  ‘aerial  review  scheduled  for 
9:00  a. m.V  was  "cancelled  because  of  rain. 

The  graduation  exercises  were  held  in  the  Officers1  Club  at  .1.1:00  a.m. 
Brigadier-General  Halstead 'Do rey,  Commanding  General.,  Second  Division,  delivered 
the  principal  address  and  presented  the  graduation  certificates.  Brigadier- 
General  Frank  P.  Lahm  introduced -General  Dorey  and  presented  the  Reserve  commis- 
sions. The  wings,  were  pinned  upon  the  graduates  by  Major -C.L.  Tinker,  Assistant 
Commandant  of  the  Advanced  Flying  School. 

• This  graduation ’clas s ' has  the  distinction  of  having  more  Reserve  officers 
accept  active  duty  than  any  -previous  class..  Out  of  the  81  Flying  Cadets  gradu- 
ating, 71  have  accepted  duty" with  tactical  units.  The  graduating  class  numbered 
95  students,  14  being  officers  of  the  Regular  Army. 

-90- 


Y-5998,  A.  C, 


L0.ST  SPRING  ON  NORTH  -ISLAND  RE-DISCOVERED 

The  lost  spring  on  the  Rockwell  Eield  side  of  North  Island  which  a century 
and  a half  ago  was  used  to  supply  Spanish  soldiers,  whalers  and  before  that,  per- 
haps, pirates;  was  sic -discovered  on  February  6,  1S30 . 

The  first  known  record  of  the  spring  dates  back  to  1793,  when  Port  Gurjarros 
was  established  on  Ballast  Point  for  the  protection  of  the  Spanish  Mission.  The 
soldiers  were  tipuod  off  to  the  knowledge  that  such  a spring  existed  from  tramp 
sea  captains,  who  in  turn  had  learned  of  the  spring  from  the  last  remnants  of 
pacific  pirates.  The  soldiers  rawed  across  the  channel  to  the  well,  rather  than 
row  clear  up  the  Bay  to  San  Diego  River.  And  so  for  a time  the  little  well  on 
North  Island  supplied  all  the  inhabitants  on  what  is  now  called  Point  Loma. 

In  1803,  American  trading  and  whaling  vessels  began  putting  into  the  •channel 
for  water.  They  pulled  their  row  boats  upon  the  sand  of  what  is  still  known  as 
Whaler's  Bight.  The  water  from  this  tiny  spring  on  North  Island  was  also  taken 
across  the  channel  to  the  workmen  of  the  hide  houses  near  the  present  La  Playa. 

In  fact,  the  spring  during  those  years  was  the  only  reason  persons  ever  touched 
on  North  Island. 

In  1846  the  Island  changed  from  noboiy’s  land  to  a private  concern.  A fam- 
ily lived  on  the  island  for  a while  and  us.-d  the,  spring  water.  Then  the  family 
moved  away  and  the  spring  just  faded  from  knowledge. 

For  fifty  years  or  so,  historians  hunted  for  the  diminutive  Spring  on  North 
Island  but  could  not  find  it.  To  persons  not  acquainted  with  North  Island,  this 
fact  perhaps  see.ms  strange.  Strangers  or  visitors  see  the  hangars  and  the  Smooth 
land  where  the  planes  land  and  it  looks  as  if  nothing  whatever  cculd  be  lost  from 
sight  on  the  pool-table  flatness.  The  southwestern  corner  of  the  island  where 
the  planes  do  not  land  is,  however,  segregated  from  the  rest  of  the  island  by  a 
salt  water  marsh  coming  in  from  dialer's  Bight.  The  deserted  area  is  about  four 
square  miles  and  covered  by  sand  dunes  and  desert  growth.  The  spring  was  known 
to  be  concealed  somewhere  in  this  territory,  but  nobody  knew  just  where. 

Major  H.E.  Arnold,  A.G.,  when  in  command  of  Rockwell  Field  in  1923,  located 
the  spring  in  an  effort  to  complete  the  History  of  North  Island.  However,  in- 
sufficient markers  were  left,  but  a clue  that  it  was  somewhere  north  of  an  old 
brick  wall  was  all  the  information  available.  Searchers  time  and  again  spent 
hours  treading  through  the  brush  of  the  sand  dunes,  but  to  no  purpose.  And  this 
seems  odd,  because  a hundred  years  previously  this  spring  was  the  only  thing  for 
which  North  Island  was  used. 

On  February  6th,  Major  Carl  Spats,  Commander  of  the  7th  Bombardment  Group, 
and  Lieut . 'Harold  W . Bowman,  publicity  officer  for  Rockwell  Field,  set  out  de- 
termined to  find  the  spring  or  give  up  all  future  attempts  - as  far  as  they  were 
concerned.  After  hunting  most  of  the  morning,  they  gave  it  up,  and  were  return- 
ing to  Post  Headquarters,  when  one  more  clump  of  brush  was-  attempted,  because 
the  brush  had  a green  growth  on  it.  Also,  the  sand  in  this  special  gully  was 
marked  by  trail  tracks.  Presently  two  big  jack  rabbits  sprang  from  the  thicket. 
This  locked  promising  to  the  searching  party.  But  still  the  spring  could  not 
be  found.  The  spring  would  still  be  undiscovered  had  the  searchers  impenetrat- 
ing the  brush  net  sighted  an  old  water  keg  and  a few  bleached  bones.  The  thick- 
et much  higher  than  a man's  head,  had  completely  submerged  the  spring  and  the 
decaying  vegetation  had  filled  the  hole  which  iihe  whalers  had  kept  .open.  With 
an  axe  and  'Shovel  an  entrance  was  hacked  through  the  stiff  growth,  and  sure 
enough,  in  the' very  heart  of  the  roots  was  a dark  hollow,  and  in  the  hollow 
was  water. 

Lieut.  Bowman  stooped  down  and  tasted  the  water.  It  was  fresh.  As  he  be- 
gan digging  the  old  well  revealed  itself.  New  water,  too,  ripped  in  rapidly. 

This  was  the  spring  so  many  persons  during  pact  years  had  been  searching  for. 
Major  A.L.  Sneed,  Commanding  Officer  of  Rockwell  Field,  was  immediately  notified. 
Now  that  the  spring  has  been  found,  it  will  never  be  lost  again.  Major  Sneed 
is  anxious  for  it  to  be  preserved,  perhaps,  lined  with  cement.  He, as  well  as 
many  others,  is  of  the  • belief , g&o'iagic«,lly,  that  the  San  Diego  River,  an  under- 
ground stream,  flows  below  the  bottom. of  San  Diego  Bay,'  and  is  separated  from 
the  Bay  by  a layer  of  rock  and  clay.  The  river,  it  is  said,  could  flow  under 
North  Island.  At  one  time  funds  were  requested  to  make  soundings  but  the  re- 
quest was  disapproved.  However,  if  such  a water  supply  is  found,  it  could 
furnish  water  to  both  the  Army  and  Navy  activities  stationed  at • North -Island. 


-91- 


V-5998,  A. C. 


A later  item  received  from  the  Rockwell  field  Correspondent  states  that 
the  tones  of  a whale  that  lived,  perhaps,  a million  years  or  more  ago  has  lain 
beneath  North  Island  happily  oblivious  to  landing  wheels.  The  whale  would  be 
there. yet  - and  much  of  it  is  - except  for  the  prodding  shovels  of  Rockwell  field 
prisoners.  They  were  sent  out  to  clean  open  the  old  spring  re-discovered  on  the 
Island,  the  spring  which  pirates  and  Spaniards  used  prior  to  the  18th  Century, 

The  whale  was  down  there,  fossilized  and  its  old  weary  bones  heavily  plated 
with  silica.  The' prisoners,  as  they  struck  into  the  ribs,  did  not  know  it  was 
a whale,  nor  did  anybody  know  it  was  a whale,  for  the  spring  is  a good  half-mile 
from  the  edge  of  the'  nearest  beach.  And,  too,  there  are  shrub  trees  and  desert 
grass  around  the  spring.  A few  thought  the  bones  were  these  of  a horse  which  in 
an  ill-advised  moment  walked  to  the  spring  and  was  swamped.  Others  said  the 
bones  were  those  of  an  Army  mule  which  in  days  gone  by  strayed  from  old  fort  Pic 
Pico  and  was  lost.  The  bones,  instead  of  becoming  exhausted  under  the  picks,  in-  1 
creased  in  volume.  Lieut.  Bowman,  in  addition  to  his  other  duties,  is  fast  be- 
coming , an  amateur  archeologist.  After  more  digging  into  adjoining  territory 
they  soon  were  weighted  to  their  shoulders,  in  bone-lore.  They  might  have  a mas- 
todon; they  might  have  a dinosaur;  they  might  have  saber-toothed  tiger,  or  again 
they  might  have  the  remains  of  an  Army  mule.  The  bones  were  bundled  into  a car 
and  a number  of  the  best  samples  taken  to  the  Museum  of  National  History,  Balboa 
Park,  San  Diego.  The  verdict  from  the  scientists  was  only  a moment  in  coming, 
and  the  verdict  was  unanimous  - "Whale" . The  scientists  further  advised  that  it 
was  of  the  Pleistocene  era  - the  youngest  of  the  geological  ages  - say  a million 
years  ago.  So  Rockwell  field  in  addition  to  finding  a.  whale,  also  found  a new 
word. 

— -0O0 , 

NET"  AIRPLANES'  f OR  THE  ARMY  AIR  CORPS 

The  Army  Air  Corps  recently  placed  contracts  for  new  airplanes  which  will 
involve  an  expenditure  from  Air  Corps  approp ria t i ons  for  the  fiscal  Year  ending 
June  30,  1930,  of  $3,134,261.21.  A contract  with  the  Curtiss  Aeroplane  and 
Motor  Co.,  of  Buffalo,  N.Y.,  in  the  sum  of  $701 ,435.80, ' covers  50  Model  A-3B' 
Attack  planes,  together  with  spare  parts  and  necessary  engineering  data,  When 
deliveries  on  this  contract  will  have  been  completed,  the  Air  Corps  will  have 
a total  of  78  A-3B  Attack  planes,  inasmuch  as  28  of  them  are  already  in  produc- 
tion and  are  being  delivered  under  a prior  contract.  This  new  type  of  Attack 
plane  is  powered  with  the  Curtiss  D-12-E  water-cooled  engine. 

The  keystone  Aircraft  Corporation,  of  Bristol,  Pa.,  was  awarded  a contract 
for  73  Bombardment  planes,  spare  parts,  and-  engineering  data,  at  a total  cost 
of  $2,208,137.50.  Each  of  these  giant  Bombers  will  be  powered  with  two  Pratt 
and  Whitney  525  h.p.  "Hornet"  air-cooled  engines. 

The  contract  awarded  the  Douglas  Aircraft  Co. , Inc. , of  Santa  Monica, 

Calif.,  involved  a sum  of  $224,687.91,  and  covered  17  Model  0-25A  Observation 
airplanes  and  spare  parts.  These  air-planes  are  to  be  equipped  with  Curtiss 
geared  1570  water-cooled  engines.  This  addition  of  17  airplanes  will  make  a 
total  of  53  Observation  planes  of  this  type  to  be  manufactured  by  the  Douglas 
Company,  36  of  which  are  now  in  production  under  a prior  contract. 

The  procurement  of  new  airplanes  from  funds  which  may  become  available  for 
the  Fiscal  Year  1931  is  being  held  in  abeyance  until  the  appropriation  bill  now 
before  Congress  has  been  x^assed  and  approved  by  the  President. 

oOo 

OFFICERS  DETAILED  AS  STUDENTS  AT  AIR  CORPS  E1TGR.  SCHOOL 


Sx^ecial  Orders  of  the  War  Department  recently  issued  directed  the  follow- 
ing named  officers  to  report  not  later  than  July  1,  1930,  to  the  Commandant  of 
the  Air  Cories  Engineering  School,  Wright  Field,  Ohio,  for  duty  as  students; 


Captain  Omer  0.  Niergarth , Fairfield  A .D.  1st  Lt; 
1st  Lt.  Herbert  K.  Baisley,.  Post  Field.  1st  £t . 
1st  Lt.  Benj.  W.  Chidlaw,  Brooks  Field.  1st  Lt. 
1st  Lt.  A.R.  Crawford,  Selfridge  Field.  1st  Lt . 
1st  Lt.  John  L.  Davidson,  Ft. Crockett.  1st  Lt . 
1st  Lt.  C.  S.  Johnson,  Wright  Field.  2nd  Lt . 
1st  Lt . Edmund  C.-  Langmead,  Brooks  Field.  2nd  Lt . 
1st  Lt  . Russell  J.  Minty,  Fairfield  A.D.  2nd  Lt . 

-92- 


Leland  C.  Hurd,  Detroit , Mich. 
Michael  E.  McHugo, Langley  Fid. 
K.B.  Wolfe,  Langley  Field. 

E. M.  Powers,  N.Y.  University 
R.L. Williamson,  HawaiianDept. 

F.  E. Giant z berg, Wright  Field. 
Chas.  A.  Ross,  Wright  Field. 
C.S.  Thome,  Wright  Field. 

V-5998 , A.C. 


MAJOR  JOUETW-  LEAVES- EHE  SERVICE 


The.-,  resignation  .on  March  4th  of  Major  John  H ^ Joue;tt-., -.Air  Corps,  removed 
from  this  branch,  of  the'  service  one  of  its  most  popular,  .officers.  Graduating 
from  the  United  States  "Military  Academy  in  1914  .and.  being  commissioned,  a 2nd 
Lieut.,  Coast  Artillery  Corps,  he  was  promoted  to  1st  Lieut,  on  July  1,  1916, 
to  Captain,!  July  1,  1916,  and  to  Major,  A.-S-.,  S.C.  > oh  Julj7"  25,  1917.  . 

Soon  after  the  entry  of  the  -United-States  in  .the  World  War,  Major  Jouett, 
at  his  own  request,  was  detailed  to  the  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps,  and  he 
was  assigned' to' the  Army  Balloon  School,  Omaha,  Neb.,  for  duty  as  student. 

Upon  his  graduation  on  July  . 24,  1917 , ho  was’"  rated,  a Junior  Military  Aeronaut  . 
After- several  weeks1  temporary  duty  in  Washington  in  the.;' Off ice  of  the  Director 
of ...  Military  Aeronautics,  ' Major  Jouett  was  assigned  to  duty  overseas . He  served- 
on  important' details  at  Paris  and  Tours,  Prance-;  with  the  4th  Army  Corps  Balloon 
Group  from  July  20:  to"  August  29,  1918;  with  the  5th  Army  Corps  Balloon  Group, 
August  30  to  October  18,  1918,  and  with’ the  2nd: Army  Balloon  Wing',,  October  18, 
lSfo.8,  to-  February  .5,  1919.  - . . 

Upon  his  return  to  the  United'  States , Majo-r  Jouett  was  stationed  at  Lee 
Hall,  Ya;vand:‘at  Post  Field,  Fort  Sill,  Okla.'  "In  February,  1922,  he  was  de- 
tailed for  duty  at  the  Air  Corps-  Tactical  School  Langley  Field,  Ya. , where 
he  served  in  the  dual  capacity  of  student  as  well  as  instructor.  Following 
his  graduation  from  the  Tactical  School,  Major-  Jouett ■:  Completed  the  course  at 
the  Primary  Flying  School  at  Brooks’- Field  and,  the.-' Advanced  Course  at  Kelly 
Field > graduating,  on  August  30,  1924,  and  being  rated. Airplane  Pilot. 

Assigned  to’  duty'  'in'  the  Office  of  the  Chief '.‘bf  the.  Air,  Corps,  Washington, 
he  served  as  Chief  of  the  School  Section,  Training  and  Operations  Division, 
and  later  as  Chief  of  ...the  personnel  Division.  His  last  assignment  was  that  of 
Commanding  Officer  of  the  '3rd  Attack -Group  at -Fort  Crockett , Galveston,  Texas. 

Our  best  wishes,  for  success  are  extended  to  him. 

— -oOo- — ■ !’  . ' 

WAR  DEPARTMENT  ORDEHS  AFFECTING'  AIR  CORPS  OFFICERS 

Changes  of  Station:  ’Major  John  F.-'  Gurry,  upon  completion  of  present  course 
of  instruction  at  Command'  and  - General  Staff  School,  Fort.  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  to 
Langley  Field,  Ya.  , for  duty  as  Asst.  ■ Commandant , Air  Corps' Tactical  School. 

Captain  Neal  Creighton,  Fort -Sill,  Okla. . to  Fitz simons;  General  Hospital, 
Denver,  Colo.,  for  observation- and  treatment.  . . . 

Major  John  H.  Pirie,  upon  completion  -tour  of  duty  in  Philippines,  to 
Office  Chief  of  Air  Corps , Washington. 

Captain  Harrison  W.  Flickinger  to- Langley  "Field,  Ya.  , upon  completion  of 
course  of  instruction  at  Air  Corps  Tactical  School. 

1st- Lieut.  James  P.  Hodges  !to  duty  as  Instructor -at  Coast.  Artillery  School, 
Fort  Monroe,  Ya.  ,.  upon  completion  course  of  instruction  .-at  Tactical  School. 

Upon  completion  ef  present  course  -of  instruction  .at-  Air  Corps  Engineering 
School,  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  1st  Lieut.  Harlan  T.  McCormick  to  Garden 
City,  L.I.  , New  York,  for  duty  as  Air  Corps  Representative  at  Curtiss  Aeroplane 
and  Motor  Co.  factory;  1st  Lieuts.  Wm.  N.  Amis,  Orval  R.  Cook,  Albert  C . Foulk, 
Paul  H.  Kemmer,  Charles.  D.  McAllister,  Arthur  W.  Yanaman,  -Dudley  W.  Watkins  and 
2d  Lt.  Frank  D.  "Klein  to  Materiel'  Division,  Wright  Field.  ■ 

Captain  Karl  S.  Axtater,  Scott  Field,  to  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

1st  Lieut.  Hilbert  M.  Wittkop,  Brooks  Field,  to  New  York  University,  N.Y. 
City,  not  later  than  May  1,  1930.  ’ ’ . 

1st  Lieut.  Claude  E.  Duncan  and  2nd  Lt.  Donald  R.  Lyon,  upon  completion  of 
course  of  instruction  at  Air  Corps  T&chnical  School,  Chanute  Field,  111.,  to 
Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif. 

2nd  Lt.  Cornelius  W.  Cousland,  Post  Field,  Fort  Sill,  Okla.,  to  Bolling 
Field,  D.C.  Previous  orders  in  his  case  revoked. 

1st  Lieut.  Oliver  K.  Robbins,  Crissy  Field,  to  Office  Chief  of  the  Air 
Corps , Washington , D.C. 

Promotion:  1st  Lieut.  Charles  P.  Prime  to  Captain,  rank  from  March  5,1930. 

Resignations : Major  John  Hamilton  Jouett,  March  4,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  Robert  Coleman  Ashley. 

Captain  John  Joseph  Devery,  Jr. 

Ap-p ointment:  2nd  Lieut.  Wm.  John  Clinch,  Jr.,  Air  Corps  Reserve,  to  2nd 

Lieut.,  Air  Corps,"  Regular  Army,  rank  from  January  6,  1930,  to  Mitchel  Field. 

-93-  Y-5998 , A.C. 


Detailed  to  the  Air  C.orps ; Captain  Stuart  Cutler,  Infantry,  and  to  Pri- 
mary Plying  School,  Brooks  Pield,  not  later  than  July  1,  1930,  for  training: 

Believed  from  detail  to  Air  Corps:  2nd  Lieut.  Charles  G.  Bau  to  30th  Inf., 
Presidio  of  San  Brancisco , Calif. 

2nd  Lieut.  Frederick  G.  Stritzinger  to  1st  Pield  Artillery,  Pt.  Sill,  Okla. 

2nd  Lieut.  Prank  M.  Steadman  to  Pield  Artillery,  Port  Sill,  Okla. 

2nd  Lieut.  Normando  A.  Costello  to  Infantry,  2nd  Div. , Pt.  Sam  Houston, Tex. 

Boserve  Officers  to  Extended  Active  Duty:  July  2,  1930  to  Jan.  2,  1931:- 
2nd  Lieut.  Philip  A.  Boll,  Pt.  Myers,  Pla;  2nd  Lt.  Cedric  B.  Davis,  Los  Angeles, 
Calif.,  to  Rockwell  Pield;  2nd  Lt . Wilmer  Eugene  Hall,  Plorence,  Ala.,  to 
Maxwell  Pield,  Ala.;  2nd  Lt.  Carl  N.  Olson,  Galesburg,  111.  , to  Marshall  Field, 
Port  Riley,  Kansas;  2nd  Lt.  Chas.  C.  Cunningham,  Indianapolis,  Ind. , to  Mar shall 
Pield;  2nd  ^t.  W.  Hill  Snyder  to  Pope  Pield,  Port  Bragg,  N. C.;  June  29  to  Dec. 
27,  1930  - 2nd  Lt.  Karl  H.  Kalborer,  El, Paso,  Texas,  to  Port  Crockett,  Texas; 
July  2,  1930  to  January  31,  1921  - krt®  Lieut.  Charles  P.  Carter,  Jacksonville, 
Pla.,  to  Pope  Pield,  N.C.;  Jno  £ to  December,  2,  1950  - 2nd  Lt.  James  Dudley 
Pendleton,  Charlotte,  N.C.,  to  Poxoe  Pield,  N.C.;  June  30  to  Dec.  23,  1930  - 
2nd  Lieut.  Dick  B.  Petty,  Audubon,  Iowa;  April  1,  1930  to  March  31,  1931  - 
2nd  Lt.  John  J.  Mulvey,  San  Diego,  to  Bockwell  Pield;  July  12  to  December  31, 
1950  - 2nd  Lt.  David  ,'L.  Johnson  to  tor  shall 'Field,  Kansas. 

Believed  from  detail  to  Air  Corps;  2nd  Lieut.  Wm.  L.  Pagg  to  Infantry, 
2nd  Division,  Port  Sam  Houston,  Texas. 

2nd  Lt.  Paul  W.  Shumate  to  1st  Cavalry  Division,  Port  D.A.  Bussell,  Wyo. 

oOo 

STATUS  OP  PROMOTED  OFFICERS  OH  FOREIGN  DUTY  ROSTER 

In  connection  with  the  article  on  the  promotion  of  1st  Lieutenants  of  the 
Air  Corps,  published  elsewhere  in  this  issue,  attention  is  invited  to  the  fact 
that  those  officers  who  have  recently  been  prompted  and  those  who  are  slated 
for  promotion  in  future  will  find  a different  situation  confronting  them  with 
respect  to  their  position  on.  the  foreign  duty-. rosteiu 

A First  Lieutenant  may  bo  slated  for  foreign  service,  say,  next  January. 
Should  he  be  promoted  prior  to  that  time,  he  will  most  likely  find  himself 
due  for  such  service  either  prior  or  subsequent  to  the  time  he  was  originally 
scheduled  to  go  'under  his  rank  as  1st  Lieutenant. 

oOo 

BANDS  FOB  THE  ARMY  AIR  CORPS 

With  the  transfer  of  the  52nd  Coast  Artillery  Band  from  Port  Eustis,  Va. , 
to  Langley  Pield,  Va. ; the  9th  Coast  Artillery  Band  from  Fort  Banks,  toss.,  to 
Mitchel  Pield,  New  York,  and  the  Band  of  the  First  Chemical  Regiment  from 
Edgewood  Arsenal  to  torch  Pield,  Calif.,  the  Air  Corps  will  have  a total  of 
seven  bands.  The  four  bands  previously  transferred  to  the  Air  Corps  are  as 
follows : 

The  Technical  School  Band  at  Chanute  Pield,  Rantoul,  111. 

The  3rd  Attack  Group  Band  at  Port  Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas. 

The  6th  Composite  Group  Band  at  Prance  Pield,  Panama  Canal  Zone. 

The  Air  Corps  Training  Center  Band  at  Kelly  Pield,  Texas. 

— .oOo— 


-94- 


7-5998,  A.C. 


NOTE'S  FROM  AIR ' CORPS  FIELDS 
0O0, 

Selfridge’  Field,  Mt . Clemens,  Mich.,  Feb.  15th. : 

The  Post  School  is  progressing  according  to  schedule,  and  the  Group  Command- 
er has  been  handing  out  examinations  right  and  left.  . In  connection  with  the  law 
course,  Col.  William  B.  Pistole,  Judge  Advocate  General,  Sixth  Corps  Area,  visit- 
ed here  on  the  6th  for  the  purpose  of  ins ttuc ting  officers  in  this  course.  Col. 
Pistole  returned  to  Chicago  the  following  day. 

3ne  of  the  many  visitors  during  the  month  was  2nd  Lieut.  Frank  D.  Klein, 
A.C.,  from  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio.  Lieut.  Klein  used  to  pound  out  hoard 
proceedings  on  flying  cadets  and  will  he  remembered  as  one  of  the  co-authors 
of  the  1st  Pursuit  Group  Battle  Song  which  was  written  between  missions  during 
the  combined  Air  Corps  Maneuvers  at  .Norton  Field  last  year. 

Special  effort  is  being  made  to  insure  the  installation  of  radio  sending 
and  receiving  sets  in  several  of  the  Pursuit  planes  for  use  during  the  combined 
Spring  Maneuvers.  In  this  connection,  1st  Lieut.  Leroy  M.  Wolf,  pilot,  with  Maj . 
Hugh  Mitchell,  Signal  Corps,  as  passenger,  arrived  from  Wright  Field  in  an  0-2 
for  the  purpose  of  talking  this  matter  over  with  Major  Royce.  It  now  seems  as- 
sured that  the  necessary  sets  will  be  installed  before  the  maneuvers, 

Capt . Frank  O’D.  Hunter,  A.C.,  arrived  from  Bolling  Field,  February  11th, 
returning  the  14th.  Capt.  Hunter  is  now  on  duty  in  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of 
the  Air  Corps,  but  for  many  months  was  Post  Operations  Officer  here.  While  on 
duty  here  he  made  an  emergency  parachute  jump  from  about  400  feet  altitude  and 
in  another  accident  his ‘moustache  went  up  in  smoke,  the  loss  of  which,  unlike 
the  loss  of  the  ship  from  which  he  made  the  jump,  proved  but  of  temporary  dura- 
tion. 

The  Post  Basket-ball  season  ended  a few  nights  ago  with  the  57th  Service 
Squadron  winning  the  pennant  hands  down.  They  experienced  very  little  difficulty 
in  winning,  only  one  game  being  lost  during  the  season  and  that  to  the  third 
place  15th  Squadron,  Headquarters  Detachment,  the  runners-up,  won  all  their 
games  except  those  with  the  57th,  whose  flashing  red  and  blue  uniformed  stalwarts 


seemed  always  at  their  best. 

The  League 

standing . follows ; 

. Team 

W 

L 

PCT 

57th  Service  Squadron 

14 

1 

933 

Headquarters  Detachment 

12 

3 

800 

15th  Observation  Squadron 

6 

9, 

400 

94th  Pursuit  Squadron 

6 

9 

400 

17th  Pursuit  Squadron 

4 

11 

267 

27th  Pursuit  Squadron 

3 

12  : 

200 

Basket-ball  and  boxing  teams,  selected  to  represent  this  station  at  the 
Sixth  Corps  Area  Indoor  Athletic  Meet  at  St . Louis  the  latter  part  of  March,  are 
: busy  getting  into  Shape,  The  outstanding  basket  shooters  of  the  squadron  teams 
have  for  some  time  been  playing  together  and  from  the  victories  over  local  teams 
they  show  promise  of  giving  some  One  a good  scare  if  not  actually  bringing  home 
again  another  Corps  Area  basket-ball  championship. 

The  boxers  include  such  glove-slingers  as  'Shuffle1  Molly;  Winfield  Schieb 
and  'Pop1  Bressner,  the  little  fellow  who  made  them  all  step  while  he  was  fight- 
ing id  the  Hawaiian  Department.  The  Post  Gymnasium  is  a place  of  hectic  activ- 
ity, and  we  hope  it  isnft  all  for  nothing, 

February  proved  itself  a month  of  contrasts,  at  least  as  far  as  this  sta- 
tion was  concerned..  The  extremely  warm  weather  during  the  latter  part  of  the 
month  changed  the  smooth  hard  surface  of  the  field  to  a rutted  morass  over  and 
through  which  it  was  almost  impossible  to  even  taxi.  The  balance  of  the  month, 
however,  was  used  advantageously  for  Group  and  Squadron  training,  special  atten- 
tion being  given  the  combat  and  formation  training  of  the  newer  pilots,  Large 
Group  formations  were  not  possible,  due  to  the  number  of  Pursuit  planes  ferried 
to  Fairfield  for  overhaul.  These  are  not  expected  back  until  toward  the  end  of 
March,  when  they  will  be  groomed  for  the  Spring  Maneuvers, 

Nichols  Field,  Riaal.  P.I..  Feb.  7th; 

All  the  military  personnel  of  Nichols  Field  were  formed  in  a large  square 
on  January  30th  to  witness  the  'presentation  of  cups  won  through  various  activi- 
ties during  the  last  year.  Capt.  Arthur  E,  Easterbrook  presented  two  silver  cups, 

- 95  - V-5998,A.C. 


one  for  first  place  in  field  «venrte  -and  the  other  for  second  place  in  track 
events,  won  by  Nichols  Field  at  the  recent-.  J3ep.axhmental  Meet,  to  the  Athletic 
Officer,  Lieut.  Hobart  R.  Yeager. 

Mr.  Cocner,  of  the  Army  & Navy  Y-.M.C. A.,  .presented  a. first  place  cup,  weft 
by  the  Nichols  Field  Enlisted  Men’s  Bowling  Team  in  the  Ten  Pin  League,  to  Capt . 
Easterbrook.  The  latter  then  presented  a first  place  cup,  won  by  the  bowling 
team  of  the-  2d  Observation  Squadron  in  the  Inter-Squadron : Bowling  League,  to 
Capt  . B.F.-  Giles,  Commanding.  . 

Work  oh  the  flying  field  is  progressing  satisfactorily.  Under  Capt.  V6-.' 
landt’s  direction,  some  4,000  cubic  meters,  of  earth  were  moved  from  along  the  . 

railroad  over  to  the  narrow  part  of  the  field  opposite  the  Engineering  Hangar . 
Personnel  of  Nichols  Field  of  two  years: ago  will  remember  an  hour-glass  shaped 
field  that  wasn’t  so  good,  especially  during  the  rainy  season.  Soon  we  may  ex- 
pect a real  flying  field  with  real. drainage . . 

Capt.  Arthur  E.  Easterbrook,  who  arrived  on  the  December  transport.  Was  as-^- 
signed  as  Executive  Officer  of  Nichols  Field.  Lieut.  J.L.  Grisham,  was-  assigned 
to  the  Adjutant  ’ S.  job,  ■ vice  , Capt.  G.M.- Savage , who  returned  to  the  States  oft 
the  March,  boat'.  ... 

The  Inter -Squadron  Baseball  League.,  under  Lieut.  Hobart  R-..  Yeager’s  super- 
vision, got  under  way  on  January  16th,.  when  the.  Second  Observation  trimmed  Head-  I 
quarters  (combined)  . Pvt . Kazbeft  did  his'  stuff  hurling.  - The  standings  to  date 
are : ■ . r-  ■ .... 


.Won  Lost  . 

2d  Observation- Siquadron , ..............  3 C - 

Headquarters  (Combined) .....  ....  2 1 

.:06th  .Service  Squadron..  ...............  1 2 

28th  Bombardment  Squadron.,  . . . ...  . •>:  . 0 3;  . 

28th  Bombardment  Squadron:  The  January  transport  upon  its  departure  took  ; 
as  passengers'  1st  “Sgt.  Mike  Hamer,  and  Sgt . Null,- -Mes.-s:  Sergeant.  ■;  . ; 

6 6.th  S ervice-  S quadr  on : 1st  Lieut..  John  G.  Kennedy  was  -transferred  to  the-  - 
2d  Observation  Squadron  on  December  22d.  ■ 1st  -Lieut ..  Joseph  Smith  took  oyer 
Lieut  . Kennedy’ s duties: .as.Supply  .Officer ,-  Officer  in  Charge  of  Pistol  Training 
and  Athletic ‘Off icer.  * . • 

Staff  Sgt.  James  :C  .Elder  left,  on  January  11th  .for  his  new  station,  Langley 
Field.  Sgt.  Chas.. Stream  also  left  for  his  new  station  at  Mitchel  Field. 

2d  Observation  Squadron:  The  first  month  of  the  new  year  .was.  begun  with  a 
series  of  cross-country  flights,:  followed  by  the  War  Maneuvers  with  the, Philip- 
pine Division. 

Lieuts.  Grisham,  Kelly  and  .Myers,  with  Capt . Burch*- '-Lieut  k Paul  and  Staff 
Sgt.  Stapp  as  passengers,,  flew  to  Aparri  in  three  0-2E’ s , returning  the.  next  day 
Capt.  Giles  and  Lieut.  Backes,  pilots,  with  Father  Villalonga,  ^r . Sinclair 
and  Sgt.  Crette,  passengers,  flew  to  Culion  Leper  Colony  in  two  Loening...  . 
Amphibians.  . ' 

The  Division  maneuvers  commenced  on .'  January  UthTand  ended  on  the  16th.  A 
total  of '40  hours  was  flown  by  this:  Squadron  in  connection  with  these  ."maneuvers, 
divided  between  command*  photographic,  -reconnaissance  and  liaison,  missions . 

The  Squadron  is  now  furnishing 'Artillery  adjustment  planes  for. the  annual 
firing  of  -the  large,  guns  pf'  the  : 59th;. C;'A.  at  Fort  Mills, -and  is  also  commencing 
the  annual  gunnery  and  bombing -for  pilots  and  observers . ; 

Work 'was  started  on  the -new  barracks  :f or  this  squadron.  This  will  give  the 
outfit  a new  kitchen,  mess  hall,  day  room,  and  barracks,  room  for -40- men. 

6th  Photo . Section:  ■ :A  mission  was  made  .of  the  infested  cocoanut  gro.ves  in 
the  vicinity  of  San  Pablo  in  view-, of  finding  ways  of -.combating  a pest  which  is 
causing  great'  distraction. 

Aerial  photographs  were ' also  made  of  the  1st.  National  Eucharistic.  Congress 
held  in  the  Philippine  Islands  and  delivered  to  the  Intelligence  Department  for 
distribution  to  all  leading -qniblicat ions*  ' 

Staff  Sgt . Frederic  Heinye  arrived  oh: t^e  last -transport  from, Langley  Field 
and  has  joined  this  section.  ■ • .1:  - 


117th  Observation  Squadron,  Michf-an  National  Guard,  March  4th : 


This  Squadron  had  a formal  inspection  and  aerial  review  on  February  15th. 
The  inspection  was  conducted,  byr  Major  ^General  .Guy-  M.  -Wilson,  -Commanding:  General 
of  the  32d  Division , and-with  the  General  was -Colonel- John ' S . ;Bersey,  Adjutant 
General  of  Michigan^  Colonel 'LeRoy'Tearson, • U.S  . Property  and  Disbursing  Officer 

- 96  - Y-5998,A.C. 


of  Michigan;  Colonel  Monsignore;  Chaplain  Patrick  Dunnigan  of  the  32d  Division;  • 
and  Colonel  John  D.  Buck. 

After  the  formal  inspection  of  the  officers,  enlisted  personnel  and  motor- 
ized equipment,  the  officers  and  their  crews  were  assembled  before  the  planes, 
consisting  of  one  02-2,  three  02-H’s  and  two  PT-1'  s , for  inspection.  The  in- 
spection completed,  Major  Floyd  E.  Evans,  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Squadron,  in 
the  02-K,  led  a formation  of  02-H’s,  with  Lieut. -P.P.  O'Neil  in  No.  2 position; 
Capt . H.L.  Emhoff  in  No . 3 position,  and  Capt , H.E.  Mensch  in  No . 4 position. 

This  formation  passed  in  aerial  review  for  the  general  and  his  Staff, 

Immediately  on  the  landing  of  this  formation,  Lieut.  C.E.  Searle  led  a for- 
mation of  the  PT-l’s  with  Lieut.  A.  Coleman  in  No . 2 position ,and  Lieut.  ,G.H. 
Mitchell  in  No . 3 position.  This' flight  maneuvered  in  different  formations,, 
passed  in  review  and  landed. 

Eollowing  the  flight  of  the  training  planes,  a bombing  mission  w.^s  conducted 
over  Lake  St.  Clair,  utilizing  02-B  planes.  During  the  absence  of  this  mission, 
messages  were  dropped  and  picked  up  from  the  ground  by  the  PT’s  flown  by  Lieuts. 
W.E.  Nicol  and  C..H.  Mitchell.  Capt.  H.E.  Mensch  drop-tested  parachutes  from  an 
02-H,  with  the  assistance  of  Sgt . D.J.  Burgan  of  the  Parachute  Department. 

After  the  return  of  the  02' s,  Capt.  F.R.  Anderson  led  a formation  on  a re- 
connaissance mission  and  aerial  maneuvers,  with  Lieut.  W.E.  Nicol  in  No . 2 posi- 
tion and  Lieut,  A.  Coleman  in  No.  3 position. 

Capt.  L.M.  Lindsey,  in  a PT,  flew  to  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  and  towed  Professor 
Eranklin  to  the  field  in  his  soaring  glider.  The  Professor  then  gave  some  very 
beautiful  exhibitions  of  glider  flying.  This  was  the  Squadron's  first  attempt 
at  such  a demonstration  and,  under  the  supervision  of  our  Operations  Officer, 
Capt.  F.R. . Anderson,  everything  went  off  very  successfully. 

Circular  #4,  Militia  Bureau,  authorizing  the  appointment  of  a Lt  .-Colonel 
of  the  Air  Corps  on  the  Division  Staff,  has  created  quite  a stir  in  our  Squadron, 
as  our  Major  is  eligible  for  this  appointment.  Several  of  our  officers  are 
burning  the  midnight  oil  completing  correspondence  courses  to  be  eligible  for 
promotion  in  the  event  Major  Evans  is  appointed. 

Capt.  Carl  B.  Squier,  who  -with  Major  Evans  was  responsible  for  the  forma- 
tion of  this  Squadron,  has  transferred  to  the  Reserve,  due  to  the  fact  that  he 
was  appointed  General  Manager  of  the’ Lockheed-Vega  Airplane  Co.,  in  California. 
Having  the  Squadron  always  at  heart,  Carl  transferred  to  the  Reserve  to  make 
room  for  an  active  member  and  the ‘promotion  of  Lieut.  E.P.  O’Neil  to  Captain. 

Lieut.  R.C.  Yen  Hake,  a brother  officer,  who  was  with  us  only  a short  time, 
has  also  gone  with  the  same  company. 

Lieut.  Bye rly,  pilot  for  the  Detroit  News,  is  expecting  his  papers  back 
from  Washington  almost  any  day  now  confirming  his  appointment  to  the  Squadron. 

Major  and  Mrs.  Evans  were  given  a surprise  house  warming  in  their  new  home 
by  the  officers  and  their  wives.  A silver  service  was  presented  to  them. 

Another  social  event,  was  a Washington  Birthday -Party  at  Blossom  Heath  Inn 
for  the  officers  and  their  wives  and  sweet-hearts.  Among  pur  guests  were  Ma j . 
Thomas  Lanphier,  former  C.O.  of  Selfridge  Field  and  -Mr.,  and  Mrs.  Ray  Cooper. 

Mr.  Cooper  is  again  in  charge  of  the  Ford  Reliability.  Tour  this  year,  and  he  is 
an  ardent  supporter  of  the  Squadron. 

Major  F.E.  Evans  and.  Lieut.  W.E.  Nicol,  on  their  return  from  the  National 
Guard  convention  in  California,  completed  sufficient  time  in  service  type  planes 
to  be  eligible  for  A.P.  ratings. 

Bids  have  been,  accepted,  the  hangar  for  our  exclusive  use  at  the  County 
Airport  will  be  completed  some  time  in  June  of  this  year.  It  was  a long  struggle 
but  our  efforts  finally  bore  fruit  and  the  building  designed  by  Capt.  Anderson 
will  house  our  entire  unit,  including  the  Officers  Club. 

115th  Observation  Squadron,  Calif.  National  Guard, Los  Angeles , Calif ♦ : 

On  Sunday,  February  16th,  Maj .-General  David  P.  Barrows,  Commanding  the 
40th  Division,  California  National  Guard,  accompanied  by  Ms  Staff,  inspected, 
the  115th  Observation  Squadron  and  115th  Photo  Section  at  this  station.  After 
the  inspection  the  Squadron  had  the  pleasure  of  entertaining  the  General  and 
Staff  at  luncheon. 

Our  cook,  having  chosen  this,  of  all  occasions,  to  be  AWOL  (at  this  point 

all  sing,  "IT  never  rains  but  it  " - that's  fine),  our  resourceful  mess 

officer,  Lieut.  Wallen,  with  Mrs.  Wallen's  assistance,  pulled  us  through  the 
crisis  by  arranging  for  an  ample  and  satisfying -cold  luncheon.  The  General  re-* 

- 97  - Y-5998,A.C. 


rmainOd  his -'genial' .self , so  we-. 'Relieve  the  cold -meats -went;  p'v.er  0;.K» 

Major  John  Jeffers  returned  from  the  East  and  resumed  command  of  the  ■ squad- 
-ron^..  . • . . ■ , . 

. , ....On  Rebruapy  ■ 16,th- two  .planes-,  piloted  by  Lieuts . - Chappellet  and  Wallen,  .'  • 
searched  thS -.northern  portion,  of  the -Ridge  Route  between  Saugus  and  Bakersfield 
. for  a plane  reported  down  in ' flames  on.-. the  evening  of  Reb.  13th.  This  mission 
•was  dispatched  at  the  .request  of  the  Los  Angeles  County  Sheriff' s Office Air 
Investigation.  Detail,  .in..- charge  of  Major  Claude  R...  Morgan,  Air -Res.  The  search- 
ing planes  returned  without  .mishap  and  without  evidence.  The  Sheriff* s Office 
:d.ecided  th&f  - the.  pidge- Route. ''eye  witnesses11  of  this  supposed  crash  -should  con- 
sult an  optometrist  . ;.  . _ /. 

r \ Two  of 'Pur  pilots  are  being  congratulated  on  their  promotions:  -1st  Lieut. 
Russell  C.A.  Larsen,  A.C.,  Cal.  H.G. , promoted  from  2nd  Lieut,  effective  January 
31st.,  1930.:;  - : • ,f 

' 1st1' Lieut . John  W.  Sewall A.G.,*  -Cal-.  :H;G.,  promoted  from  2nd  Lieutenant , 
effective -.same  date.. 

v .This  Squadron  recently-  completed  aerial  reports,  and  photos  for  the  Los 
Angeles  .County.  Board  of -Supervisors  on  available  sites  for- future,  airports -.ins 

this  .district ^ , ' . ;.  . 

Congratulations  .are  ;being  extended  to--.  Lieut  . ' Paul  -Whittier,-  of  . this  ..Squad- 
ron, who  recently  stepped  off  the  bachelors*  list  and.  was-  married  to;  the  former 
Miss. -.Olive-  Hasqrouck."  -Thq.- Squadron,  wishes  to  compliment.  Paul  on  his  admirable 
judgment  r ■ The:- couple  .are  - at  home  .in  ., Los  Angeles:. 

: • Lieuts,.  Sewall  and  Larsen  ,-  ."for  the  .attendance,  of,  every  ordered  drill  and 
field  training  of  the  unit  during  the  calendar  year  1929-''  , were,  awarded;, the  40th 
Division  100^  Drill  Attendance  .-Badge.  Sixteen  ■ enlisted- .--men -of  • this  .organization 
also  re-ceited  ' this,  .-.award  , for  19-29.; 

: Sunday,:  Mar c-h-. 2nd , -Geperal,..  P-D.  .Mitt.elstadt , the  Adjutant  General  of  -the, 

State  of  -Calif  o r-nia paid  tab.:-?an  .informal,  visit . and  -remained  for,  lunch.'  - In.  the 
evening  Major- 'and:  Mrs.--,  -Jeffers.-entertaihed  the  officers  -of  the  Squadron,,;  -and-; 
their  ladies,  at  their  beautiful  home  in:. the  hills -of ,;Hollywoodland.  -A  three- 
piece  or chestrajfdrni shed  music -for  dancing,  . and 'an  .elaborate  buffet  supper  was 
■served.  y;  Guests  included. -.-.General  Mittelstadf , :-and:;-Capt>  ,and/Mrs  . Harry"  Claiborne . 
CaptV 'Cl.aiborije  is.,  a former  member -.©f,.- the  ll-5th,  -and.  is;  now  in  :. charge  of  the  , 
Alameda-base,  .of  the  Curt  is, -Wright  Plying  Service  ,»<.  • . 

45th  .Division,  Air  Service,.-  G ol^-r ado  .'.Rational -Guard: . : - -,y  . . 

Perhaps,  the  biggest.; change -that -.has-  Q.ome  over  .Lowry  Rield,,  Denver  ,-,  in  the 
past. -few  weeks  i s that  :-fch$  • --PT- 1 S have.-. been  .replaced  by  -0-17*  s .,  at  .the  ; expense . qf 
long -and.' ardor dus  wcrk..-cn..the;  part-  of  .Lieuts ; Beany  Bqydyand  Wellman These 
three  officers  hung-up  a record-,  that -will  fast  ■ for  ,- some. -time  - 2500-miles  in -; 

25.  day's.-  They- departed  .from.  JLowryRield- on '.'January  4th;  in:  the  two  PT  ’ s , left  to 
the  Squadron  and-. returned,  dp.  January  .28 th  in  the  : two  • 0-171  s . 

-Of';- course  they  were. .not  in: the  air  the  -.whole,  35y days-.  - Eight  days  were, -Spent  j 
at  Scott . Pie  Id  .on -the -.way;  east -and -three  on : the  way  west.;  In  addition,.  , one.  week 
was  spent  at  Fairfield,  Ohio,  making  a total  of  .18  .days  pf  no  n-:f  lying..  : The -.re-  j 
maining  seven.-.were  spent-  in  fighting-  the  terrific ■ January  weather , qualifying 
them>..for  the  Arctic  Patrol  . -They  were  .Successful  - .the ..0-1 7*  s . are  on  Lovvry.-;- 
Rield  stiid  progress  is  satisfactory.  _ . • .. 

. Ano  t her  ...-change.-  has. -come  over  Lowry  Rie  Id  which. -will  .have.,  far  .reaching  re- 
sults.-The  regular  drill  pericd.-wa.s-  divided  -into  two.  parts . . The  first.,  is...  given 
over  entirely  to  classes  for  -both  officers  and  enlisted  men,- and. the;.  second  is 
devoted  to  flying.  . : • . . ?.,,r  . . ...  ;• 

Under  t?ne  several  officers  assigned  as  instructors  to  the  different  sections 
of  the  Squadron  (radio-,  engineering,  photo  and  medical.) i hojbli, off iceps  and -enlist- 
ed men  attend ' classes  each  Sunday, 'and  will  be ‘required  to  pass  a written  ex- 
amination- each.-'  month..  p-  ■ . ...  :•  . - 

■ . The;-  3 quadr  o n.  \j$  lepmes  ,•  two  ne  w. ...  officers  * Li  cuts  . ...  D ink-  Lef  e r i nk  ■■  and : Aubrey 
Kief . ‘ # Both  .are- pilots  of  unquestionable  .•ability...  Lieut , . Lef  er ink  has.  better 
than  5,000 -.hours  in-. the --air  .and.,,  at, . present;,  > is, .employed,;. as,. /pilot -for,  the  pri- 
vately owned  Rokker  of  Mr.  Humphreys,  the  position  formerly;  held-  by;  Lieut-.  .Eddie 
Brooks  ; -Lieut.;  -Kief,  until  recently,  ; was.,  commanding  ■.  officer,  of  -Battery at 
Pueblo , and  Managing  Editor .-  of  .-.the-.  Pueblo,,  Star- Journal.  After -bis-  return  to; 
aviation  as... a, member,  of  ^ the,.  Curt  is-f  right  Plying  Seryi ce., in, ..Denver  j -he.  trans- 
ferred from  the  Artillery  to.  the  : Air /Service . Lieut...  Kief  * s hirst  flying-  exper- 
' -.98  - ■ " V-5998'.A.C.  ' 


ience  was  with  the  Royal  Plying  Corps  during  the  late  unpleasantness  called 
the  "World  War".  : 

To  further  the  cause  of  an  American  Legion  Drive  for  members,  Capt . Reavis, 
with  Sgt . Burnell,  and  Capt.  Hall  with  Lieut.  Junk  took  off  from  Lowry  Pi eld  the 
last  Saturday  in  January  in  two  02-h 1 s fitted  with  radio.  Capt.  Reavis  and  ;Sgt . 
Burnell  broadcast  propaganda  from  the  air  over  the  towns  of  northeastern  Colo- 
rado, while  Qapt . Hall  and  Lieut.  Junk  performed  a like  service  over  the  southern 
part  of  the  State. 

The  first  ship  returned  to  Lowry  Field  on  schedule,  but  Lieut.  Junk  declares 
that  southern  Colorado  holds  a "jinx"  for  him.  He  has  never  ventured  into  that 
part  of  the  State  without  being  set  down  somewhere.  Because  of  darkness,  he  and 
his  pilot  landed  at  Pueblo.  The  next  morning,  when  attempting  to  start,  they 
found  that  the  starter  had  chewed  itself  into  inefficiency.  Major  Kistler  flew 
an  02K  from  Denver  to  Pueblo  with  help  and  a new  starter. 

Late  in  the  afternoon  the  two  officers  took  off  for  home  and  ten  minutes 
later  a report  came  back  to  the  field  at  Pueblo  that  they  had  crashed.  They 
flew  home  in  blissful  ignorance  of  the  fact  that  a dozen  aviators  were  looking 
for  their  mangled  remains. 

Bolling  Field,  D.C.,  March  21st; 

1st  Lieut.  George  P.  Tourtellot,  Engineering  Officer,  was  recently  ordered 
to  duty  in  the  Hawaiian  Department. 

1st  Lieut.  Stanley  M.  Umstead,  transferred  from  Mitchel  Field,  1T.Y.,  was 
assigned  as  Post  Engineering  Officer  at  Bolling  Field. 

Ten  0-1E  observation  planes,  and  one  Sikorsky  Amphibian  were  recently  as- 
signed to  this  station. 

Lieut.  W.A.R.  Robertson,  Asst.  Engineering  Officer  at  Bolling  Field,  will 
fly  an  o-lE  to  Mather  Field,  Calif.,  where  he  will  be  Engineering  Offider  for 
the  Squadron  of  planes  from  Bolling. 

1st  Lieut.  A. I.  Ennis  and  Col.  Longanecker  recently  made  a flight  to  the 
West  Coast  and  return,  making  an  inspection  of  practically  all  Air  Corps  stations 
en  route. 

The  recent  resignation  of  Capt.  J.J.  Devery,  Jr.,  is  deeply  regreted  by  the 
members  of  Bolling  Field  and  their  most  earnest  wishes  are  (extended  to  him  for 
his  success  in  civil  life. 

The  Post  Supply  Building,  under  the  able  guidance  of  1st  Lieut.  M.S.  Lawton, 
has  now  been  completely  rebuilt  and  finished  throughout  with  steel  bins  and  all 
modern  equipment  necessary  for  the  efficient  handling  of  Air  Corps  supplies. 

Mr .Sgt.  Bradbury,  the  chief  storekeeper  in  the  Post  Supply,  returned  from 
a month's  furlough. 

Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif.,  March  4th: 

Rockwell  Field  is  busy  these  days  preparing  for  the  transporting  of  supplies 
and  equipment  to  be  used  at  Mather  Field,  Sacramento,  Calif.,  in  connection  with 
the  Air  Corps  Demonstrations  and  Air  Force  Command  and  Staff  Exercises  to  be 
held  on  the  West  Coast  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Mather  Field.  Lieut.  C.P.  Kane, 
A.C.,  Depot  Supply  Officer  of  the  Rockwell  Air  Depot,  was  appointed  as  Air  Corps 
Supply  Officer  for  these  Tactical  Exercises. 

Major  Carl  Spatz,  A.C.,  Group  Commander,  in  command  of  11  planes  from 
Rockwell  Field,  attended  the  Imperial  County  Fair,  held  at  El  Centro,  Calif., 
on  February  28th,  this  date  having  been  set  aside  by  the  official  of  the  F.air 
as  "Army  Air  Corps  Day" . 

Capt.  Lorenzo  L.  Cocke,  Q.M.C.,  reported  for  duty  at  Rockwell  Field  as 
Post  Quartermaster,  March  1st,  relieving  Lieut.  Charles  E.  Stafford, Q.M.C.,  who 
has  been  ordered  to  Panama. 

The  following  named  Second  Lieutenants,  Air  Corps,  were  ordered  to  duty 
at  Rockwell  Field,  effective,  March  1st,  having  recently  completed  Advanced 
Flying  Training  at  Kelly  Field,  Texas? 

2nd  Lieut.  Chas . D.  Stone,  III  (Inf.)  A.C.  2nd  Lieut.  Tom  Wm. Scott, Air-Res . 

11  Donald  B.  Smith,  (Inf  ,)A.C.  " " Virgil  W.  Vaughn,  Air -Re  s . 

i!  !i  Ca**l  H.  Murray,  Air-Res.  " " Lake  Mccre,Jr.,  Air-Res. 

" " Frank  M.  Crimson,  Air-Res.  " " Gerald  Hoyle,Air  Res. 

" " Paul  Baird  Balfour,  Air-Res. 

- 99  - 


V-5998,A.C . 


'•Fairfield  Air  Depot,  March  13th; 


Oh  the  dfternocn  of  March  ,12th  a memorial  tablet  in  honor  of  Giovanni 
Pirelli  of  the  Italian  Royal  plying.  Corps  was  unveiled.  The  ceremony  was  opened 
by  an  address  by  General  Pou&ois,  followed  shortly  by  the  unveiling  of  the  tab- 
let and  its  presentation  to  the  United  States  Government  by  Commander  Scaroni 
for  the  Italian  Government  . The 'acceptance  of  the  .tablet  was  mhds  by  Major  H.H. 
Arnold,  Commanding  Officer  of  this  Station.  lieutenant  Pirelli,  flying  solo, 
was  killed  at  this  Station  in  an . airplane  crash  on  February  4.  1919. 

Capt . 0.0.  Niergarth,  Post  Adjutant,  recently  returned  from  a 27-days* 
leave  in  Florida. 

Major  H.H.  Arnold  is  under  orders  to  proceed,  by  air,  to  Mather  Field, 
Sacramento,  Calif.,  for  duty  as  Assistant  Chief  of  Staff  in  connection  with 
the  Air  Corps  Maneuvers,  which  will  be  held  during  the  period  from  April  1st 
to  24th. 

Lieut.  H.A.  Bivins  reported  for  duty  February  25th,  and  was  assigned  to 
the  Engineering  Department . 

Lieut.  Milo  McCune,  who  has  been  oh  duty  at  this  Station  since  August  31, 
1925,  has  been  transferred  to  Langley  Field. 

Work  was  started  in  February  on  the  new  Engineering  building . 

Lieut.  Melvin  B.  Asp  in  an  XP-6  had  a cross-country • training  flight  to 
Sarasota,  Fla..  Returning  he  made  the  Flight .from  Tampa  to  the  Fairfield  Air 
Depot  in  5 hours  and  45  minutes'.. 

Recent  Air  Corps  visitors  at  this  Station  were  Lieut .-Col . Longanecker, 
Majors  Royce-,  Muhlenberg,  and : Crom ' and  Lieut . , Maitland-.- . 


- 100  - 


V-5998 , A.C. 


VOL.  XIV 


APRIL  IB,  1930 


NO.  5 


TABLE  OF  COITEM'S 
oOo 

Page 

Operation  of  Test  Chamber  at  Wright  Field 101 

New  Tow  Target  Release  Mechanisms  Tested 102 

Spare  Parts  Ferried  hy  Air  to  Stranded  Airmen  in  Mexico . 102 

Marshall  Field  Pilots  Concentrate  on  Communications 102 

Puddle  Jumpers  Two,  or  the  Tale  of  an  Epic  Rescue 103 

Two  Lives  Lost  in  a Fire  at  Wright  Field,  Ohio 103 

Caterpillars  Continue  to  Multiply 104  - 107 

Chief  of  Air  Corps  Directs  Aerial  Maneuvers  via  Radio 107 

Service  in  the  Royal  Air  Force 108  - 112 

Founder  of  Caterpillar  Club  Leaves  the  Air  Corps 113 

Materiel  Division  Receives  a Mohawk  ‘'Pinto" 113 

The  Training  of  Reserve  Officers  a.t  Selfridge  Field.  . 113  - 114 

Improved  Winter  Flying  Suits  114 

Activities  at  Mitchel  Field 114 

Photographic  Officers  Hold  Pow-Wcw  114 

New  Type  of  Gun  Camera  To  Be  Tested 115 

Air  Corps  Officers  Designated  to  Attend  Staff  School  116 

Summer  Training  Camps  of  National  Guard  Airmen  116 

Materiel  Division  a Mecca  for  Aircraft  Engineers  116  - 117 

War  Department  Orders  Affecting  Air  Corps  Officers  117  - 118 

Contracts  Awarded  for  New  Airplane  Engines 118 

New  Safety  Belt 118 

Long  Cross-Country  Trip  to  Coordinate  Training 118 

Notes  from  Air  Corps  Fields 119 


V-6002, A.C . 


AIR 


CORPS 


hew 


VOL.  XIV 


Information  Division 
Air  Corns 


April  18,  1930 


HO.  5,. 

Munitions  Building 
Washington,  D.C. 


The  Chief  purpose  of  this  publication  is  to  distribute  information  on 
aeronautics  to  the  flying  personnel  in  the  Regular  Army,  Reserve  Corps, 
national  Guard,  and  others  connected  with  aviation. 

oooOOooo 


OPERATION  OF  TEST  CHAMBER  AT  WRIGHT  FIELD 
By  A.  M.  Jacobs 


Time : Morning. 

Place:  Experimental  Laboratory  at  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

P.  Hi  Sutton,  oxygen  engineer,  wearing  oxygen  mask,  is  seated  in  an  air- 
tight-, tar-covered,  cylindrical  chamber  with  an  air  -pressure  simulating  that 
encountered  when  flying  at  30,000  feet.  Various  observers  keep  watch  on  him 
through  a heavy  plate  glass  window.  Sutton  signals  test  is  at  an  end.  He  is 
ready  to  come  out. 

The  air  pressure  valve  is  turned,  permitting  a stream  of  outside  air  with 
its  normal  oxygen  quoth-  to  flow  into  the  chamber.  The  mercury  tube  on  the 
table  in  the  laboratory  gradually  falls,  indicating  that  the  air  pressure  within 
the  chamber  is  changing  from  that  simulating  an  altitude  of  30,000  feet  to  that 
of  20, 000..  feet . An  engineer  unscrews  the  bolts  on  the  heavy  door,  but  explains 
that  until  the  pressure  within  and  without  are  more  nearly  equalized  it  would  be 
inpossible  even  to  pry  the  doer  open. 

- ' ' The\;mer:cuiry;  tube  on  the  table  slowly  falls,  indicating  an  increase  in  air 
lire s sure  within  the  chamber,  until  it  simulates  that  encountered  at  7,000  feet. 
Sutton  is  seen  through  the  glass  window  to  .remove  the  oxygen  mask.  The  observer 
then  secures  a heavy  bar  of  metal  and  tries  to  force  the. door  open.  This  is 
impossible,  but' where  the  bP-r  is  inserted  there  is  a iseepagC:  of  air  into  the 
chamber  resembling 'the  wiiistling  of  wind  in  the  teeth  of.  a .gale.  Sutton  is 
seen  to  cover  his  ear 3 '-with .the  palms  of  his  hands.  The  change  in  pressure  on 
his  ear  drums  is  equal  to  what  it  would  be, . wemhe  falling  ■.••several  thousand 
feet  in  an  airplane.  Even  then.,  considerable  time  passes  before  the  great  door 
can  be  swupg  open  freely.,  held,  shut  as  it  has  beep  by  the  -difference  in  pressure 
on  its  two  sides. 


Sutton  steps  out  carryihg  the  oxygen  apparatus  he,..has  been  testing,  and  ex- 
"cept  for  a slight  drumming  ’in  .lii-s  cars  feeling  n-one:  the;  worse  for  having  been 
sealed  up  with  an ’air  pressure  less  then  half  of  normal-  This  interesting 
piece  of  testing  equipment  arrived  at  Wright  Field  almost  a year  ago  from 
'Mitchel  Field,  He"’  York,  where  it  had  been  used  by  the  School  of  Aviation 
Medicine  for  trying  out.  the,  effect  of.  reduced  air-pressure  on  different  pilots. 

At  Wright  Field  it  was  decided. to  incorporate  the  low: temperature  feature  also, 

' and  the  various  installations'  haye.  been  completed  only  abopt  a month. 

The.  chamber  is  tall,  and  .cylindrical  in  shape,  nine  feet,  nine  and  one-half 
-inches  inside  height,  eight  feet,  ele^em  inches  inside  diameter.  It  is  con- 
structed of  boiler  plate  f_  inch  thick,  overlaid  on  the  outside  by  eight  indies 
of  cork.  Tar  is  applied,  on  the  cork  to  make  ■ it  airp tight.'  As  a low  pressure 
and  low  temperature  chamber  it  will  be  used  for  testing  ozygen  apparatus,  instru- 
ments - the  kerosene,  mixture,  of  ...a  compass.. stiffened  beyond  .functioning  at  37 
degrees  below  zero  recently,  electrically  heated  goggles,  oils,  high  altitude 
clothing,  camera  equipment,  and  many  .other  items-.  : Inside-; the  walls  are  com- 
pletely surrounded  by  two  rows,  of  refrigerating  coils..  Two  expansion  valves 
inside  and  two  outside  control,  the  temperature . There  are  also  one  vacuum  valve 
inside  and  one  outside,  for  extracting  air  from  the  cylinder,-  and  an  equal  number 
of  air  pressure  valves  .for  restoring  it. 

An  air  pressure  equal  to’  that  encountered  at;. {50 >-000  feet  could  be  brought 
about  in  the  cylinder  in  approximately  f iffy,. minutes .-  The  lowest  temperature 
produced  has.  been  -50  degrees  C.  (,r53  degrees- Fahr. ) This  , test  chamber  is  ex- 
pected to  prove  extremely  valuable  for  Materiel  .-Division  experimental  work. 

- — — r-O-OO; ■:  ■ 


Dedication  services' for  .Randolph  Field,  San.  Antonio.,  Texas,  will  be  held  on 
June  20th  and  21st.  The  field  has  been  under  construction  for  over  a year.  It 
is  estimated  that  approximately  100  buildings  will  be  under  construction  at  the 
time  of  dedication. 


-101- 


V-S002 , A.C. 


NSW  TOW  TARGET'  RELEASE  MECHANISMS  TESTED. 


In  order  that  tow  targets,  after  having  heen  fired  umon,  may  he  dropped  from 
planes  and  fresh  ones  substituted  without  rewinding  the  cable  and  manually  attach- 
ing them,  two  new  types  of  release  mechanism  have  been  designed  for  use  with  the 
standard  B-9A  target.  One  type  was  designed  at  Phillips  Eield,  Md.‘,  and  the 
other  at  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio.  Preliminary  tests  have  been  rim  on  each, 
but  decision  has  not  yet  been  made  as  to  the  one  vhich  will  wrove  superior  for 
adoption. 

The  old  mechanism  had  a release  catch  on  the  end  of  the  cable.  When  it  was 
desired  to  drop  the  target,  a bell  plunger  was  sent  down  the  cable  which  un- 
snapped, the  catch.  The  new  devices  have  no  releases  on  the  end  of  the  cable.  In 
the  Phillips  Field  design,  a plunger  backs  up  against  a knot  tied  in  the  cable. 
When  the  other  plunger  comes  down  with  a fresh  target  and  makes  contact,  it 
forces  the  first  one  open  and  the  target  drops.  In  one,  test,  ten  tow  targets 
were' successfully  exchanged  in  flight  with  apparent  ease . of  operation. 

The  Materiel  Division  design  consists  of  a steel  bar  with  a latch  at  one 
end  and  a trip  on  the  other.  As  the  new  target  comes  down  the  cable  a ring  is 
forced  over  the  trip,  .depressing  it.  This  action  lifts  the  latch  at  the  other 
end,  releasing  the  old  target.  Upon  release  of  the'  old  target  the  latch . springs 
back,  acting  as  a catch  for  the  new  target.  By  releasing  the  target  as  each  arm 
completes  firing,  the  percentage  of  successful  hits  of  each  may  be  learned. 

— -qOo-— 

SPARE.  PARTS  FERRIED  BY  AIR  TO  STRANDED  AIRMEN  IN  MEXICO 

Rush  orders  were  received  at  the  San  Antonio  Air  Depot,  Duncan  Field,  Texas, 
from  the  Chief  of  the  Materiel  Division  of  the  Air  Corps,  for  Lieut.  Ames  S.  Albrc 
and  Mr.  Adolph  Fenster,  Airplane  Engine  Mechanic,  of  the  Engineering  Department 
of  the  Depot,  to' proceed  by  air  to  Tapachula,  in  the  State  of  Chiapas  (one  of  the 
southernmost  states  ),  Mexico,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  necessary  spare  parts 
and  making  repairs  to  the  C-2  Transport  which  was  being  ferried  from  Panama  to 
Wright  Field  by  Majo? -Jacob  E.  Fickel,  Lieut s.  Albert  F.  Hegenberger  and  Ennis  C. 
Whitehead  of  the  Materiel  Division.  The  Transport  had  been  forced  down  at 
Tapachula  on  account  of  engine  trouble . 

On  the  morning  of  the  following  day  Lieut.  Albro  took  off  with  Mr.  Fenster 
in  an  A- 3 plane  for  Vera  Cruz,  via  Brownsville,  Texas,  reaching  there  that  day 
and  Tapachula  the  next  day,  March  5th.  The  return  flight . was  begun  on  the 
9th  and  covered  the  same  route,  Lieut.  Albro,  solo,  arriving  at  the  San  Antonio 
Air  Depot  on  the  10th.  Unfortunately,  Mr.  Fenster  becswa  suddenly  ill  ■ at 
Vera  Cruz  and  was  taken  to  a hospital  in  that  city.  He  is  renorted  to  be  greatly 
improved  and  is  expected  to  return  shortly.  Otherwise,  no  untoward  incident 
marked  the  flight. 

Lieut.  Albro  reports  that  : the  utmost  appreciation  is  due  for  the  extreme 
courtesy  and  hospitality  extended  our  flyers  by  the  Mexican  officials  and  the 
.people  with  whom  they  came  in  contact,  our  southern  neighbors  exerting  themselves 
to  afford  every  facility  and  convenience  possible  for  expediting  this  mission. 

— ro0o- — 

MARSHALL  FIELD'  PILOTS.  CONCENTRATE  ON  COMMUNICATIONS  . 

Lieut.  Charles  T.  Skow,  Air  Corns,  Communications ■ Officer  at  Marshall  Field, 
Fort  Riley,  Kansas,  has  been. responsible  for  some  particularly  effective  and  con- 
centrated -work  In  radi-o  and  panel  training  for  the  past  two  months. 

Lieut.  Skow  devised  a new  coda  sheet  for  aerial  procedure  signals  and  panels 
which  was  adopted  by  the  Panama  Canal  Department  in  1925.  The  News  Letter  Corres- 
pondent expresses  the  hope  that , . with  a few  revisions  now  made , it  will  be  adopt- 
ed by  the  War  Department.  This  improved  system  coordinates,  simplifies  and  clari- 
fies radio  and  panel ; communication  between  ground  and  air.  By  the  use  of  this  new 
panel  system  and  the  new,  radio  receivers  now  installed  in  the  ships  of  the  12th 
Observation  Squadron  at  Marshall  Field,  excellent  results  are  being  secured  in 
communications  training.  Probably  a great  deal  of  this  success  is  due  to  the  ef- 
fort at  reducing  to  a minimum  the  -personnel  failures.  Buzzer  practice  is  conduct- 
ed each  afternoon  for  all  officers  failing  to  accurately  receive  a test  of  12 
words  per  minute  in  the  air  on  their  last  mission; 

-102- 


V-6002,  A. C . 


PUDDLE  JUMPERS  TWO,  OR  THE  TALE  OE  AH  EPIC  RESCUE 
By  the  Mitchel  Field  Correspondent 

One  Saturday  morning  not  long  ago,  three  of  the  eleven  ships  in  which  the 
valiant  hut  vanquished  squash  warriors  had  flown-  down  to  Langley  Field,  took  off 
on  the  return  trip  to  Mitchel  Field.  The  day  was  sunny  and  warm,  hut  the  Island 
was  a long  wa||s  off,  and  Long  Island  weather  around  that  time  of  the  year  is 
usually  anything  hut  sunny  and  warm.  There  hadn- t been  a fog  in  two  days,  and 
such  a.  record  could  portend  nothing  hut  evil. 

So,  a.  scant  two  hours  later,  when  Major  Ryan  was  leading,  his  intrepid 
warriors  .across  hew  Jersey,  fast .approaching  the-  harbor , the • Movietone  tug  had 
already  groped  its  way  out  into  the  harbor  and  was  busy  recording  the  mooings 
of  the  fog  horns  in  one  of  the  worst  fogs  of  the  season.  How  Hadley  Field  is  a 
rather  obscure  airplane  parking  ground  somewhere  in  Hew  Jersey,  hut  extremely 
handy  in  such  emergencies,  so  the  three  ships  landed,  wallowed  through  the  mud 
up  to  the  line,  and  decided  to  call  it  a day.  Ho  available  lodgings  presenting 
themselves,  they  decided  to  make  it  back  to  home  and  mother  via  automobile,  and 
send  some  of  the  lesser  lights  for  the  ships  the  following  morning. 

The  next  day,  Lieut s. . Olive , Pugh  and  Anderson  started  out  to  gather  up  the 
stranded  ships.  The  weather  was  somewhat  better,  but  still  nothing  to  brag 
about.,  . and  Hadley  Field  was  still  ..as  obscure  as' ever  - even  a little  more  so, 
considering  the  fact  that  none  of  these  officers  had  ever  been  there.  Then  the 
fun  began.  Olive-  sneaked. under  the  fog  barrier,  found  the  field  and  landed,  but 
.from  Pugh  such  fortune- was  withheld.  Sure,  he  was  in  Hew  Jersey,  and  so  was 
Hadley  Field,  but  as  far  as  getting  together  was  concerned  it  was  a different 
story.  He  landed  in  a field  which,  for  lack  of  a better  name,  we  shall  term 
"Black  Bottoms,"  and  found,  that  pontoons  would  have  been  much  more  in  order  than 
.Wheels.  Says. Pugh:  "Where  am  Ii " Whereupon  a duck. hunter  emerged  from  his 
blind  in- a duck  bout,  and. answers:  "i!ll  bite,"  With  that  crack  Pugh  decided 
to  do  or  die  and  takes:  off.  He  went  through- the  motions,  but  with  each  yard  the 
bog  got  boggier  and  the  first  tiling  he  knew  the  tail  /went  up,  the  nose  went  down 
and  the  bloody  tiding  was  on  its  back,  minus  a -prop,  but  otherwise  as  good  as  new. 

How  to  get  back  to  Lieut.  Olive.  After  depositing  his  passenger,  he  took 
off  to  return  to  Mitchel  Field.  The  nasty  weather  had  closed  down  and  he  had 
ho  choice  but  to  return  .to  Hadley  Field.  Getting  in  to  Hadley  that  day  was 
mOjeljr  a question  of  missing  the  biggest  puddles,  and  as  a mddle-  jumper  Olive 
Was  one  of  the  best  - Anybody,  at  Mitchel  Field  can  qualify  in  the  puddle- jumper 
class.  With  his  eagle  eye  he  chose  a' path  down  the  field  between- two  of  the 
largest.  The  sad  part  of  this  tale  is  that,  a . third  puddle  lay  in- waiting.  It 
was  a nios  mucky  kind  of  a puddle  - oozy  black  mud  - and  he  caught  it  squarely 
just  before  he  stepped  rolling,  but  not  Without  enough  forward  momentum  to  turn 
the  trick*  So  over  went  number  two.  This  time  the  ship  took  a real  beating, 
but  Olive  scrambled  out  of  the  muck,  unhurt,-  and  surveyed  the  wreck  from  a dis- 
tance. Imagine  how  vexed  he  must  have  been,  because  the  parting  words  of  Major 
..Ryan  had  been:  "How  be  careful.,  Olive,  this  is  a nasty  field  out  here." 

Thus  a glorious  day  was  ended  - Pugh  nursing  a nasty  disposition  in  a 
cranberry  bog,  Olive  a s rained  ankle  in  a Somerville  hotel,  and  the  squash 
'heroes  neatly  tucked  in  .Joed  at  Mitchel  Field. 

In -closing  I might  add  that  at  an.  Officers’-  qall  prior  to  the  cross-country, 
.Major  Ryan  had  said;  "We’ll  make  a problem  out  of  this  cross-country."  It  was  a 
problem  all  rigjat,  but  not  the  kind ' we  had.  looked  for. 

• • oOo—  . 

TWO  LIVES  LOST  IH  A FIRE  AT  WRIGHT  FIELD,  OHIO- 

Wright  -Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  mourns  the  loss  of  two  most  valuable  mechanics. 
'One  -c.f  them  died  the  day  following  a fire  which  occurred  in  hangar  Ho.  4 on 
March  18th,  and  the  other  passing  away  on  March  28th.  Forest  Rutledge". and  Wilbur 
. Howitt  were  at  work  on  a Douglas  -Observation  plane  when,  by  accident,  the  dump 
valve -of  the  tank  was  pulled,  releasing  gasoline  which  caught  fire.  Rutledge  was 
drenched  with  the  gasoline  and  Howitt,  who  was  working  nearby,  tried  to- assist 
him  and  was  badly  burned  in  the  attempt.  It  was  thought  at  first,  however,  that 
..he  had  a fair  chance  of  recovery,  ans  hence  the  news  of  his  death  was  an  especial 
shock. 

Five  air-, Dianes  were  demolished  before  the  flames  could  be  extinguished. 

-103-  V-6002,  A C. 


CAMP  HEARS ; CONTINUE  TO  MULTIPLY 

It  has  heen  some  time  since  "dope"  on  the  Caterpillar  Club  appeared  in  the 
News  Letter.  In  the  issue  of  November  29,  1929,  it  was  announced  that  up  to 
that  ,,  time  186  candidates  had  joined  the  Club  and  that  a total  of  195  emergency 
jumps  had  been  made,  9 jumps  being  repeaters.  To  Colonel  Charles  A.  Lindbergh, 
with  four,  emergency  jumps  to  his  credit,  still  belongs  the  distinction,  honor, 
glory,,  ‘or.'  what  have  you,  of  being  the  Illustrous  High  Mogul  of  this  mythical 
organization.  No  one,  however,  begrudges  him  his  high  standing  in  the  Order, 
nor  is  any,. move  ; being  contemplated  to  unseat  him  from  his  throne.  Fate  alone 
will,  be  'the  only  agency  which  will  ever  force  him  to  turn  the  cares  of  that 
office  over  to  a successor. 

. As  far • as  available  records  show,  the  membership  of  the  Caterpillar  Club 
at  this  writing  totals  214,  with  223  emergency  jumps.  It  is  by  no  means  cer- 
tain that  this  record  is  accurate  for,  as  has  been  stated  on  previous  occasions, 
it  is  virtually  impossible  to  keep  an  accurate  check  on  emergency  jumps  made  by 
civilian  flyers. 

Initiation  into  the  Caterpillar  Club  has  become  such  a commonplace  occur- 
rence of  late  that  it  would  amp ear  an  emergency  parachute  jump  has  descended  to 
approximately  the  same  strata  in  news  value  as  such  an  incident  as  a dog  biting 
a man.  If  this  assumption  is  correct,  the  path  of  the  unofficial  historian  of 
the  Caterpillar  Club  is  destined  to  be  strewn  with  more  thorns  than  ever  before. 

To  attempt  to  record  the  personal  tales  of  those  who  made  jumps  in  the  past 
few  months  would  take  up  too  much  space  in  the  News  Letter;  consequently,  just 
a few  of  the  most  recent  jumps  will  be  touched  on  at  this  time. 

JOSEPH  A.  BULGER,  2nd  Lieut.,  Air  Corns,  on  duty  with  the  15th  Observation 

Squadron,  Self ridge  Field,  Mt . Clemens,  Mich.,  was  recently 
ferrying  an  0-2  type  airplane  to  the  San  Antonio  Air  Depot.  Lieut.  Herman  F. 
Woolard,  of  the  same  organization,  and  piloting  a similar  type  plane,  accom- 
panied him. 

"We  were  proceeding  from  Scott  Field,  Belleville,  111.,  to  Hat box  Field, 
Muskogee,  - Oklahoma,"'  Lieut.  Bulger  stated,  "and  had  passed  over  Seymour,  Mo., 
at  approximately  1500  feet  altitude.  The  sun  was  shining  through  the  clouds, 
the  horizontal  visibility  was  about  five  miles  and  we  could  see  the  contour  of 
this  Ozark  country  distinctly.  About  ten  minutes  out  of  Seymour  the  ceiling 
abruptly  closed  down  about  us,  and  Lieut.  Woolard  signaled  to  go  back.  In 
turning  he  was  engulfed  by  the  fog  and  I lost  him.  I immediately  tried  to  get 
below  the  fog  but  saw  a steep  slope  directly  ahead  and  then  decided  to  get  a 
little  altitude  and  fly  by  instruments  back  to  Seymour  and  try  to  get  down 
through  a break  and  land. 

I managed  to  reach  2800  feet  and  my  speed  suddenly  increased  from  110  to 
150  m.p.h.  The  hand  on  the  bank  and  turn  indicator  went  to  the  left  and  the 
ball  to  the  right,  each  as  far  as  they  would  go.  The  bubble  of  the  climb  indi- 
cator was  back  of  center  about  one  inch.  With  the  stick  all  the  way  back  and 
over  to  the  right,  my  speed  did  not  lessen  and  within  a moment  I lost  about 
500  feet  altitude. 

Believing  the  plane  in  a spin,  and  not  able  to  see,  I grasped  the  hand 
grip  with  my  left  hand  and  loosened  the  safety  belt  with  my  -right.  I stood  up 
and  managed  to  get  both  feet  on  the  left  edge  of  the  cockpit.  Leaning  out  back- 
wards, still  holding  onto  the  hand  grip' in  the  upper  wing,  T wrapped  my  fingers 
firmly  around  the  ring  of  the  rip  cord  of  my  parachute  and  mushed  off.  I delayed 
the  jerk  a moment,  in  order  to  clear  the  plane,  and  then  felt  my  big  umbrella 
open  and  sat  there  quite  contented  for  the  balance  of  my  descent. 

I heard  the  plane  crash  and  began  wondering  where  I would  land.  I came  out 
of  the  fog,  still  wondering,  about  20  feet  above  the  ground  and  landed  on  an 
open  gentle  slope.  I located  the  plane  nearby  and  later  found  my  position  to  be 
about  15  miles  Southeast  of  Sparta,  Mo.  Tilings  were  rather  uncertain  for  a 
while,  but  I suffered  no  ill  effects  from  my  initiation." 

Lieut.  Woolard  landed  at  Seymour,  Mo. , and  proceeded  on  to  his  destination 
the  following  day. 

FREDERICK  M.  HOPKINS,  Jr.,  1st  Lieut.,  Air  Dorps.  Under  the  caution  "Ventilated 
ARCHIE  D.  COOK,  Private,  Air  Corps.  ■ Chutes  Prove  Useful,"  the  News 

Letter  Correspondent  from 

Mitchel  Field,  .N.Y.,  tells  the  following  story  of  a double  parachute  jump  near 
Chase,  Md. , on  March  11,  1930: 

"Lieut.  Frederick  M.  Hopkins,  Jr. , reached  the  Patapsco  River  near  Baltimore 

-104-  • V-S002,  A. C. 


Md. , after  encountering  only  light  rains,  and  decided  to  push  on  to  Bolling, 
his  destination.  The  0-1E,  borrowed  from  the  First  Observation  Squadron  at 
Mitchel  Field,  was  functioning  as  any  First  Squadron  pilot  will  always  tell 
you  - perfectly  - so  the  odds  were  in  his  favor. 

About  ten  miles  out,  the  black  clouds  to  the  west  began  to  get  blacker 
and  nastier  - a sure  sign  of  fair  weather  ahead.  To  go  or  not  to  go  was  the 
question,  but  Lieut.  Hopkins  decided  to  ran  the  clouds  a race  to  Bolling. 

The  closest  he  got  to  his  objective  was  fifteen  miles  out,  the  clouds  winning 
the  race  and  enveloping  him  in  a driving  rain  and  wind  that  was  nobody’s 
business. 

Freddy  decided  that  he  was  a.ll  wet  in  more  ways  than  one  and  that  the 
best  thing  to  do  was  to  turn  back.  This  decision  was  heartily  secoixLed  by 
Private  Cook,  who  was  holding  down  the  rumble  seat.  After  a heart  -rending 
ten  minutes  more,  with  only  snatches  of  ground  visible,  during  which  Hopkins 
divided  the  time  between  mopping  his  goggles  and  trying  to  see  his  instruments, 
he  finally  recognized  Swarrows  Point  on  the  Patapsco  River.  Logan  Field 
wasn’t  far,  but  getting  there  was  another  question. 

Then  the  storm  hit  him  in  earnest,  blocking  out  all  visibility.  The  air 
speed  was  said  to  travel  from  150  to  50  miles  an  hour  and  then  back  again  in 
a sickening  manner , and  it  became  a case  of  guessing  which  way  was  uio.  In 
the  midst  of  a'  nasty  feeling  quite  similar  to  a spin,  Hopkins  decided  to  give 
up  the  ghost  and  told  Private  Cook  to  pull  freight  - wherein  begins  the  reason 
for  the  title  to  this  story. 

Private  Cook  did  as  he  was  told  with  remarkable  alacrity.  He  stood  up  in 
the  cockpit  and  found  the  only  direction  he  could  leave  the  shi-p  was  straight 
back.  The  fin  dealt  him  a left  to  the  chin  and  he  went  out  like  a light. 

Coming  to  a second  later  he  was  surprised  to  find  himself  in  mid  air,  no  ground 
in  sight',  and  a chute  evidently  above  him.  But  it  wasn’t  all  billowed  out  as 
chutes  usually  are.  He  glanced  up  and  noted  the  very  obvious  reason,  i.e., 
in  the  place  of  the  dome  of  the  chute  was  a great  gap  through  which  the  rain 
and  wind  were  sweeping.  The  tail  surfaces  had  claimed  the  pilot  chute  and 
part  of  the  main  silk.  Imagine  the.  feeling  of  falling  through  the  air,  not 
being  able  to  see  the  ground,  and  the  only  means  of  support  a chute  with 
nothing  but  the  great  open  swaces  for  a dome.  While  cogitating  on  this  fact, 
a tree  came  up  and  smacked- him,  and  again  the  land  of  sweet  dreams  was  his. 

When  he  came  to  the  second  time  the  battle  was  over  and,  aside  from  being 
bruised,  he  was  uninjured. " 

In  submitting  his  official  rewort  of  his  first  emergency  jump,  Private 
Cook  did  not  exercise  his  imagination  to  any  extent  worth  mentioning.  What 
he  replied,  in  answer  to  questions  (a)  to  (k)  embodied  in  Air  Corps  Circular 
15-59,  May  7,  1928,  was  as  follows:  That  the  place,  date  and  time  of  the 

jump  was  Chase,  Maryland,  March  11,1930,  1:15  p.m. ; that  the  airplane  was  an 
0-1E,  A.C.  fr29-289;  that  he  did  not  know  whether  or  not  the  aircraft  was  under 
control  at  the  time  of  the  jump;  that  he  used  an  Irving  seat  type  parachute; 
that  it  was  impossible  to  tell  the  position  of  plane,  due  to  fog  and  stormy 
weather,  the  air  speed  varying  between  50  and  150  m.p.h. ; that  he  stood  up. 
and  attempted  to  go  over  the  side  but,  being  prevented  by  the  gun  mount,  went 
over'  the  back  of  fuselage;  that  the  cause  of  the  jump  was  fog  and  rain  and 
very  terrific  wind  storm;  that  he  does  not  remember  pulling  the  rip  cord  due 
to  being  hit  by  the  fin.  He  was  descending  very  fast,  and  when  he  looked 
above  the  parachute  appeared  half  open  and  was  torn;  that  the  velocity  of  the 
wind  was  about  40  miles,  weather  conditions  being  very  bad  and  stormy;  and, 
lastly,  that  he  hurt  his  back  slightly  due  to  being  hit  by  the  fin  or  when 
landing  in  a tree. 

Lieut.  Hopkins ’ report  of  his  jump  is  very  interesting  and  is,  substan- 
tially,as  follows: 

"The  aircraft  was  out  of  control' at  the  time  of  the  jump,  the  estimated 
engine  s£)eed  being  about  1950  r .p.m. 

I believe  the  aircraft  had, stalled  and  was  falling  off  to  the  left.  It 
was  raining  so  hard,  I,  could  not  see  airspeed  indicator,  altimeter,  or  turn 
and  bank  indicator.  I unbuckled  my  safety  belt  and  tried  to  stand  up.  With 
my  left  hand  and  right  leg  I pushed  myself  out  of  the  plane,  going  out  left 
shoulder  first. 

Lieut.  Merritt  landed  at  Mitchel  Field,  F.Y.  just  before  I cleared.  He 
told  me  that  there  was  light  rain  at  Washington.  The  8:00  a.m.  Meteorological 

-105-  V-6002 , A.C. 


report  v/as  satisfactory  for  flying.  Plying  conditions  at  Mitchel  Field,  N.Y., 
at  time  of  take  off  were  good,  with  approximately  a 20-mile  cross-wind  to  my 
course.  I took  off  at  10:00  a.m. , and  set  a course  of  220  deg.  The  cross  wind 
became  a head  wind  of  approximately  20-25  rn.p.h.,  for  I re-ch^d  the  o?  id  in  thr* 
Delaware  below  Trenton,  N.J.  at  11:00  a.m.  (70  rn.p.h.  ground  speed).  I soon  en- 
countered a very  light  drizzle  with  visibility  good.  As  I approached  within  15 
miles  of  Philadelphia,  Pa. , we  had  to  pass  through  a light  rain .which  was  severe 
enough  to  keep  my  head  almost  all  of  the  time  on  my  instruments.  Ground  visibil* 
ity  was  good,  however. 

I ran  out  of  rain  into  a drizzle  on  approaching  Wilmington,  Del.,  which 
continued  until  I passed  Logan  Field,  Baltimore,  Md.  I crossed  the  Patapsco 
Piiver  at  Baltimore  at  1500  feet  aud  proceeded  on  to  Washington.  When  I was 
within  15-20  miles  of  Washington,  I saw  to  my  right  a storm  approaching  from  the 
West.  The  clouds  were  dark,  blue  and  gray,  and  heavy  rain  was  falling.  I had 
been  flying  at  1725-1750  r.p.m. , and  I advanced  the  engine  speed  in  order  to  get 
to  Bolling  Field  before  the  storm  struck  me.  It  became  evident  that  the  storm 
was  coming  faster  than  I had  estimated,  and  that  it  would  be  necessary  for  me  to 
pass  through  it  if  I were  to  get  to  Bolling  Field.  In  a few  minutes  I was  in 
clouds  and  rain  (1500  feet)  and  decided  that  I would  have  a better  chance  if  I 
turned  back  and  went  in  at  a lower  altitude.  I turned  back  out  of  the  rain  and 
clouds  and  dropped  to  800  feet  and  tried  to  go  through  the  rain.  I soon  gave 
this  up  and  turned  back,  hoping  to  reach  Logan  Field,  Baltimore,  Md. , before  the 
wind  and  rain.  I began  to  fly  frontal  to  the  clouds  in  a moderate  rain  but 
veered  to  the  east  so  as  not  to  get  caught  in  it.  I struck  Chesapeake  Bay  about 
30  miles  east  of  Baltimore  and  turned  towards' Logan  Field. 

I located  the  trolley  loop  near  Sparrows  Point,  Md. , and  tried  to  fly  at 
400  feet  along  the  railroad  into  Logan  Field.  It  was  raining  rather  hard  and  it 
was  impossible  to  locate  Logan  Field.  The  rain  was  cutting  me  off  - the  wind  wag 
high  and  blowing  hard. . I then  decided  to  fly  farther  back  on  my  course  to 
Aberdeen  or  Philadelphia,  or  land  in  some  field  and  wait.  In  order  to  prevent 
being  forced  do\m  in  Chesapeake  Bay,  I set  a course  of  50  degrees  compass , which 
I maintained  until  I finally  left  the  aircraft.  I started  climbing,  and  at  about 
1,000  feet  went  into  the  clouds.  The  rain  became  heavier  and  I saw  the  ground 
only  once  in  a while.  I.  was  .-constantly  mopping  one  goggle  lens  after  the  other. 

I was  kept  busy  watching  my  airspeed  indicator  and  compass.  I was  bent  so  far 
toward  front  that  I could  not  see  the  turn  and  bank  indicator. 

For  a time  I managed  to  keep  a fairly  even  keel,  but  soon  I was  first  in  a 
dive  (150  rn.p.h.)  and  then  in  a stall  (50  rn.p.h.).  I made  quite  a few  of  these. 
The  rain  was  so  severe  that  I pushed  my  goggles  up  aiid  mopped  one  eye  after 
another.  I went  into  a stall  and  had  the  sensation  of  the  plane  falling  off  to 
the  right.  I tried  to  see  the  instrument  board  but  corrected  for  ray  sensation 
and  put  all  controls  in  neutral.  I then  felt  as  if  I had  fallen  off  to  the  left 
and  decided  then  that  Private  Cook  had  better  be  out  of  that  mess.  I tried  to 
yell  to  him  to  jump.  He  evidently  was  ready,  but  I only  had  a feeling  he  had 
left  me  - I could  not  see  him.  Everything  was  getting  worse  and  I decided  that 
I had  better  leave,  too.  I jumped  at  about  1300-1400  feet,  although  I did  not 
see  the  altimeter. 

I did  not  have  my  hand  on  the  rip  cord  when  I left  the  plane.  I had  no 
sensation  of  falling  and  did  not  see  the  ground  until  after  my  pafachute  had  open* 
ed.  I remember  feeling  for  the  cord  (I  had  a pair  of  personal  gloves  on),  pulled 
it,  and  have  not  seen  it  since.  It  seemed  that  no  sooner  had  I pulled  than  some- 
thing struck  me  very  violently.  I looked  up  and  saw  the  webbing  twisted  and  for 
an  instant  did  not  see  the  parachute.  As  I dropped,  I so.on  saw  the  chute  above 
me  and  looked  down.  I looked  right  at  the  plane  as  it  made  a turn  and  hit  the 
water  at  about  30-45  degrees,  a few  yards  from  a small  fishing  pier.  I saw  Cook 
below  me  and  he  was  very  close  to  where  the  plane  had  gone  In.-  I wondered  then 
where  I was  going  to  hit,  and  looking  down  saw  a creek  about  35-40  feet  wide.  I 
remember  thinking,  'you  would  land  in  that,1  and  the  next  thing  I knew. I was  in 
it  on  my  back  and  then  up  to  my  shoulders.  I remember  oscillating  on  the  way 
.down,  but  do  not  remember  caring  much  about  it.  As  soon  as  I hit  the  water 
I lost  all  sense  of  orientation.  I tried  to  swim  to  the  creek  bank  but  the 
winter  flying  suit  and  moccasins  were  so  heavy,  I simply  crawled  in.  I do  not 
believe  anyone  could  have  swam  far.  I crawled  on  a knoll,  unbuckled  my  parachute 
my  watch  read  1:15  P.M. " 

The  Mitchel  Field  Correspondent  states  that  Private  Cook's  jump  is  another 
victory  for  the  Irvin  chute.  Granted  that  they  work  better  when  all  the  panels 
are  intact,  this' descent  is  a striking  example  of  saving  a life  in  an 

-106-  V-$U027_A.C. 


extreme  emergency.  This  cake  has  b$£n  'paralleled  before i but  it  brings  home  once 
more  the  fact  that  these  things  we  sit  on  are  something  more  than  a pillow. 

ALMON  S.  FARRAR,  Staff  Sergeant,  12th  Observation  Squadron,  Air  Corps,  was  a pas- 
senger in  a Douglas  02-H  airplane  piloted  by  2nd  Lieut.  Alexander 
B.  Orr,  Air  Corps  Reserve,  February  6,  1930,  At  about  4:15  p.m. , when  two  miles 
east  of  Van  Ormy,  Texas,  and  at  an  altitude  of  about  1600  feet,  the  plane  collided 
with  airplane  piloted  by  2nd  Lieut.  Carl  R.  Storrie,  Air  Corps.  The  planes  were 
making  a formation  flight  for  the  purpose  of  Tactical  Training  for  Pilots. 

Sergeant  Farrar  stated  that  the  propeller  of  Lieut.  Storrie 's  airplane  cut 
off  the  vertical  fin,  upper  half  of  rudder  and  part  of  the  left  elevator  of  the 
airplane  piloted  by  Lieut.  Orr,  in  which  he  was  acting  as  observer.  Lieut.  Orr 
brought  the  airplane  apparently  under  control  down  from  approximately  1500  feet 
to  600  feet  before  it  went  into  almost  a vertical  dive  which  occurred  about  the 
time  Sergeant  Farrar  jumped. 

"The  air  speed  was  about  135  miles  per  hour  at  the  time  I left  the  ship, " 
Sergeant  Farrar  stated.  "It  was  diving  at  an  increasing  angle,  approaching  the 
vertical . At  the  time  I left  the  ship  it  was  diving  at  an  angle  of  about  40 
degrees  from  horizontal.  I crawled  out  of  the  cockpit,  stood  on  the  step  and 
pushed  off  backward  with  my  legs.  I recall  no  abnormal  mental  reactions.  My 
thoughts , as  I remember,  were  as  to  whether  or  not  the  pilot  got  out. 

Due  to  oscillation  I landed  on  my  back,  but  doubled  up  in  a ball  as  I hit 
and  received  no  injuries.  I think  the  frame  of  the  back  type  chute  helped  to 
protect  my  back  at  the  time  and  prevented  it  being  wrenched. " 

In  connection  with  the  above  parachute  jump  of  Sergeant  Farrar,  the  Chief 
of  the  Air  Corps,  on  March  26th,  addressed  to  him  the  following  letter: 

"On  February  6,  1930,  the  Army  airplane  in  which  you  were  flying  as  observer 
with  2nd  Lieutenant  Alexander  B.  Orr,  Air  Corps  Reserve,  pilot,  collided  in  flight 
with  another  Army  airplane  near  Kelly  Field,  Texas. 

It  appears  that  you  at  once  noted  that  serious  damage  had  occurred  to  the 
vertical  fin,  rudder  and  lift  elevator  and  that  you  immediately  attracted  the 
pilot's  attention  and  endeavored  to  ascertain  whether  he  desired  you  to  jump  from 
the  plane.  It  further  develops  that  you  sent  a radio  message  to  your  station, 

Dodd  Field,  Fort  Sam  Houston,  advising  that  station  of  your  plight;  that  you 
crawled  out  on  the  steps  on  the  side  of  the  airplane  and  again  tried  to  determine 
whether  the  pilot  desired  you  to  leave  the  damaged  craft.  As  you  understood  that 
he  told  you  to  jump,  you  did  so  at  once  and  landed  safely  with  your  parachute  near 
the  airplane  which  went  into  a spin  and  was  wrecked,  resulting  in  the  death  of 
Lieutenant  Orr. 

On  this  occasion  you  performed  your  duty  in  a most  commendable  manner  before 
jumping  from  the  damaged  plane,  and  you  only  resorted  to  the  use  of  your  parachute 
when  a crash  was  imminent.  By  your  cool  action  and  quick  thinking  you  probably 
averted  serious  injury  or  death,  and  you  made  every  effort  to  acquaint  the  pilot 
with  the  danger.  It  is  considered  that  your  conduct  was  most  commendable  and 
worthy  of  the  best  traditions  of  the  service." 

■ oOo— 

CHIEF  OF  AIR  CORPS  DIRECTS  AERIAL  MANEUVERS  VIA  RADIO 

Maj or- General  James  E.  Fechet,  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  arrived  at  Rockwell 
Field,  Coronado,  Calif.,  March  18th,  for  the  purpose  of  inspecting  the  activities 
of  that  field  and  the  Rockwell  Air  Depot  and  conferring  with  the  officers  of  the 
post  concerning  the  Air  Corps  Maneuvers  now  taking  place  at  Mather  Field,  Calif. 

The  flight  from  Santa  Monica,  Calif.,  to  San  Diego,  in  which  General  Fechet, 
in  a Keystone  Bomber,  \7as  piloted  by  Captain  Ira  C.  Eaker,  was  accompanied  by  18 
planes  from  the  95th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Rockwell  Field.  These  escort  planes  met 
General  Fechet  at  San  Juan  Capistrano,  Calif.  On  his  flight  to  Rockwell  Field, 
General  Fechet  used  intor-phone  radio  communication,  the  system  which  was  recently 
worked  out  at  Rockwell  Field.  In  the  General's  -plane  was  a two-way  radio,  with 
which  he  communicated  with  the  officer  in  command  of  the  Pursuit  formation  of 
18  planes.  General  Fechet 's  orders,  upon  being  received  by  the  officer,  were 
relayed  to  each  flight  leader  of  a group  of  three  planes  who,  in  turn,  relayed 
the  instructions  by  arm  signals  to  the  pilot  of  each  plane  in  the  group.  Upon 
reaching  Rockwell  Field,  General  Fechet  was  greeted  by  Major  A.L.  Sneed,  the 
Commanding  Officer.  The  General  left  the  following  day  for  Mather  Field,  via 
March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif. 

-107-  V-6002 , A. C. 


SERVICE  IN  THE  ROYAL  AIR  FORCE 
From  The  Royal-  Air-.  Force  -Quarterly 

"The  Editor  has . done  me  the  honor  of  asking  me  to  contribute  an  article 
to  the  first  number  of  the Air  Force  Quarterly  on  the  subject  of  service  in 
the  Royal  Air  Force . I assume  that  his  hope  is.  to  interest  the  non-Service 
reader,  since  there  is  little  to  be  said  which  would  be  news  to  the  members 
of  the  Force  who  experience  its  joys  and  sorrows  daily  in  their  own  persons. 

"On  this "as sumption,  I will  not  apoligize  for  beginning  with  the  state- 
ment that  the  Royal  Air  Force  is  a third  and  independent  fighting  Service. 

"It  seems  curious  to  have  to  say  this,  seeing  that  the  institution  of 
the  Royal  Air  Force  as  a Service  separate  from  the  Army  and  Navy  dates  from 
April,  1918,  but  we  still  constantly  find  that  it  is  not  realized. 

"Before  dealing  with  service  in  the  Force,  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to 
explain  how  to  enter  it.  This  can  most  conveniently  be  done  under  the  head- 
ings. of 

"(a).  Permanent  officers. 

"(b).  S?ncrt-service  officers. 

"(c)  Other  ranks. 

PERMANENT  COMISSIONS 

"The  permanent  officer  enters  through  the  Royal  Air  Force  College  at 
Cranwell  in  Li ncho Inshire,  an  institution  similar  to  the  well-knoWn  Royal 
Military  Academy  at  Woolwich,  Royal  Military  College  at  Sandhurst,  and  Royal 
Naval  College  at  Dartmouth. 

"Here  lie  is  given  a-  two-years*  intensive  course,  practical  and  theoretical. 
While  Service  subjects  naturally  predominate,  the  general  aim  is  not  to  turn 
the  cadet  into  an  aeronautical  engineer,  which  obviously  could  not  be. done  in 
the' time,  but  to  give  him  a sound  foundation  on  which  to  build  subsequently. 

"Somewhat  of  a novelty  perhaps  at  a Service  college  is  the  inclusion  of 
English  and  English  literature  with  a view  to  stimulating  interest  and  improv- 
ing power . of  expression.  From  the  lack  of  the  latter  we  of  an  older  Service 
generation  have  often  suffered.  We  .‘want  to  avoid  the  criticism  once  passed  on 
a similar  establishment,  namely,  that  it  gave  the  best  possible  training  and 
the  worst  possible  education* 

"Last,  but  by  no  means  least,  the  cadet  is  taught  to  fly.  • - 

"A  permanent  commission  con  also  be  obtained  from  the  universities  on  much 
the  same  lines  as  an  Army  commission.  In  this  case,  the  officer  gets  his  Ser- 
vice training  at  a Flying  Training  School,  after  joining  the  Service,  though 
he  is  now  able  at  Oxford  or  Cambridge  to  do  much  of  his.  ground  training  and  to 
learn  to  fly  by  joining  the  University  Air  Squadron. 

SHORT -SERVICE  COMMISSIONS 

"The  slicrt -service  commission  is.  a new  departure  and  consequently  requires 
perhaps  somewhat  fuller  treatment. 

"I  believe  I am  correct  in  saying  that  in  every  Air  Force  in  every  country 
a non-permanent  body  of  pilots  has  proved  necessary.  Working  backwards  from 
the  higher  appointments,  it  is  obvious  that,  if  a permanent  Career  is  to  be 
open  to  every  permanent  officer,  the  number  of  entrants  on  a permanent  com- 
mission must  be  limited.  Moreover,  aviation,  especially  military  aviation,  is 
a rapidly  developing  science.  Energy,  keenness  and  the  power  to  absorb  new 
ideas  are  essential  in  the  higher  ranks,  and  these,  broadly  speaking,  are  the 
attributes  of  comparative  youth.  An  Air  Force,  if  it  is  to  give  its  full  value, 
must  therefore  be  young.  Stagnation  in  promotion  can  only  result  in  the  senior 
officers  being  too  old  for  their  jobs. 

"The  permanent  officer  cadre  of  the  Royal  Air  Force  has  therefore  been 
strictly  limited  to  such  numbers  as  will,  on  an  actuarial  basis,  throw  open 
a career  to  all  and  prevent  undue  senility  in  the  higher  ranks.  But  this  num- 
ber does  not  provide  the  off icers.  required, . nor  - a more  important  considera- 
tion - does  it  create  any  reserve  of  pilots  in  case  of  war.  Casualties,  how- 
ever, begin  at  once,  and  nearly  10.0  per  cent,  of  them  ar<&  among  the  pilots. 

"A  system  of  early  retirement,  of  a proportion  of  officers  in  middle  rank, 
such  as  exists  in  the  Navy,  might  provide  the  officers  required  in  peace,  but 
would  not  meet  the  needs  of  mobilization  when  a reserve  of  officers  of  the 
junior  ranks  is  what  is  needed. 


-108- 


V-6002,  A. C. 


"The  problem  has  been  solved  by  the  short -service  commission  for  five 
years  with  the  Regular  Air  Force  and  four  years,  which  may  be  extended,  in  its 
reserve.  From  the  Service  point  cf  view,  this  meets  the  two  essential  require- 
ments. It  provides  the  officers  in  peace  and  the  first  reserve  on  mobilization. 
It  has  the  further  advantage  of  enabling  the  permanent  cadre  to  be  kept  up  to 
establishment  and  reinforced  by  the  selection  of  a few  short-service  officers 
as  required  for  permanent,  commissions,  chosen  from  a large  number  who  are  known 
and  have  been  tried.  , 

"The  short-service  officer  receives  pay  and  allowances  identical  with 
those  of  the  permanent  officer,  and  in  addition  a gratuity  of  L 75  per  year 
of  service  payable  at  the  termination  of  his  five  years1  regular  service,  and 
designed  as  a nest-egg  to  help  him  to  re-enter  civil  life. 

"A  small  percentage  of  short -service  officers  are  allowed  to  extend  their 
regular  service  to  ten  years,  receiving  a higher  gratuity  for  each  year  beyond 
the  fifth,  .with  a maximum  of  £ 1,000  on  completion  of  ten  years.  This  waS- 
feund  necessary  to  produce  the  required  number  of  Flight-Lieutenants  (equiva- 
lent to  Captain  in  the  Army) . 'The  number  of  officers  of  this  and  indeed  of  . 
each  rank  on  ..the  permanent  list  is,  of  course',  limited  by  its  total  numbers, 
and  the  permanent  Flight-Lieutenants  would,-  it  soon  became  apparent,  not  meet 
the  needs ..  . . 

"The  system  has  been  criticized  from  the  individual’s  point  of  view.  The 
short-service  officer  leaving  the  Service  at,  say  25  to  28,  would,  it  was  said, 
find  great  difficulty ' in. re-entering  civil  life,  and  would  have  little  or  no 
training  or;. -knowledge  of  a commercial  value . ' Against  this  it  may  be  urged  that 
character  tends,,more  and. more  to  have  a commercial  value,  and  that , the  short- 
service  officer  will  have  seen  something  of  the  world,  learnt  to  command,  exper- 
ienced the  value  of  discipline,  and,  if  he  chooses  to  take  advantage  of  his., 
educational  opportunities.^:  both  practical  and  theoretical,  '.should  have  .acquired, 
a good  grounding  of  technical  .knowledge •• rind  ability  in  one  direction  or  another, 

"Anyhow,  the.  gloomy:  pro  ghost-  i cat  ions  of  the  critics  have  not  been  fulfill- 
ed.  The  Air  -Ministry : obvious- -lyo  can  riot  guar  ant  eje  employment  in  civil  life, 
but,  in  addition  to  recognising’ some  degree  of  moral  responsibility  towards 
its  short -service  officers s:.=it -has  the  compelling  motive  of  self-interest  t.o 
do  all  in,  its  pqwes  to  'maker-. the  system  a success. 

"Here  an  apparent  digression  is  necessary.  Education  in  the  Royal  Air- 
Force,  both  for  officers  and  men,  is  carried  out  by  a body  of  civilian  gradu- 
ated teachers,  of  whom  one-rat  least  is  available' on  every  station.  The  short- 
service  officer  can,  thex-efore,  . always  obtain  assistance,  in  any  studies  he  , ... 
may  wish, to  undertake  .ogainst: -Ms  return  to-  civil  life.’  The  system  also  works  , 
in  the  opposite  direction  in-  that  the-  education  officer  gets  to  know  the  cap  a-  .. 
bilities  of  the  short -service  officers  on  his  station. 

"These  considerations  .and -an-  early  experiment  by  an  individual  education., 
officer  in  the  direction;  of  plhcing  short-service  officers  in  civil  employment 
led  to  a more  ambitious  scheme,  and  there  is  now  in  the  Ministry  something 
in  the  nature  of  an  Appointments  Soar’d  at  a university,  with  an  education 
officer  as  secretary,  who  keeps  in  touch’ with  employers  all  over  the  country, 
and  offers  his  services  to.  short-service  officers  whose  period  of  regular  ser- 
vice is  shortly  to  .expire . ’ Thanks  to  bhe -'-patriotism  of  enployers,  the  scheme 
had  a good  start  and  the  short-service  officer  himself  and  his  service  train- 
ing have,  it  appears,  ’delivered  the  goods*  . Many  firms  have  asked  for  more, 
which  is  after  all. the  best  proof,  and  I have  been  told  lately  that  there  is 
now  a difficulty  -in  filling -the  vacancies  offered. 

"The  short -service  officer  'is  ‘selected  by  personal  interview  without  ex- 
amination, and  obtains  his  training  of  ten  months  'at  a Jiving  Training  School 
where,  in  addition  to  learning  to  fly,  he  is  taught,  the  rudiments  of  military 
aviation,  and  learns  his  duties  as  an  officer. 

"Leaving  aside  for  the  moment  the  non-conimis;sioned  officer  pilots  - who 
are  dealt  with  below-  there  is  one  other  source  of  officer  pilots,  namely, 
by  means  of  attachment  for  varying,  periods  from  the  Army  and  Navy.  Originally 
it  was  hoped  to  obtain  a fair  proportion  of  no n -p e r marien t Officers  in  this 
way,  one  advantage  being'.,  that-  it ' would  ensure ' a knowledge  of  the  uses  and  lim- 
itations of  the  air  arm  among  the  future-  commanders  of  the  older  Services. 
Various  difficulties  have  been  met  with  in  practice.  The. Army  finds  it  hard 
to  spare  the  officers  in  peace,  and  requires  their  services  on  mobilization, 
thereby  depleting-  the  Royal  Air  Force  reserve,  while  attached  naval  officers 

-109-  V-6002,  A.C. 


are  practically  confined  to  the  Fleet  Air  Arm  afloat.  One  may  perhaps  hazard 
a guess  that  the  final  word  on  the  subject,  has  not  yet  been  spoken. 

STOKES  AC  COUNT  AM1  AMD  .MEDICAL  BRANCHES 

"Apart  from  its  flying  "branch,  the  Koyal  Air  Force  has  its  own  stores  ac- 
countant and  medical  "branches.  The  two  former  are  filled  "by  examination  from 
candidate's  who  .can  show  previous  "business  and  accountancy  experience.,  respective- 
ly. The  medical  "branch  is  principally  filled  "by  selection  on  a short-service 
"basis,  the  permanent  cadre,  about  50  per  cent,  of  the  whole,  being  staffed  by 
selection  from  among  the  short-service  officers. 

PROSPECTS  OF  PROMOTION 

"One  may  perhaps  conclude  with  a few  words  on  a subject  of  great  interest 
in  all  professions  - namely,  promotion. 

"The  ideal  system  of  promotion  is  probably  one  of  the  insoluble  problems 
of  humanity.  At  all  events,  it  has  not  hitherto  been  discovered  as  far  as  I 
know.  Its  general  aim  might,  I suppose,  be  defined  as  offering  reasonable 
prospects  of  promotion  to  all,  while  bringing- the  -outstanding  to  the- top. 

"The  diversity  of  attainments  required  in  the  Royal  Air  Force  adds  to  the 
complications  of  the  problem.  The  brilliant  pilot,  the  ezcpert  engineer,  the 
wireless  magician,  the  photographer,  and  many  others  are  all  needed  and  all 
must  have  reasonably  equal  chances  of  promotion,  . 

"For  many  reasons  which  are  too  "long  "to  "enter  into  here,  the  Royal  Air 
Force  has.  made  it  a sine  qua  non  that  all  members  of  its  flying  branch,  which 
includes  its  technical  experts,  must  fly.  Only  pilots,  therefore,  are  consid- 
ered in  its  general  scheme  of  promotion,  non-pilots  and  the  non-flying  branches 
being  dealt  with' under  Separate  .rules, 

"In  tine  flying  branch,  an  endeavor  has  been  made  to  fulfil  the  :$ims  defin- 
ed above  by  a on  mbinat  ion  of  seniority  and  selection . Pure  select  top.  rule.s.:.  in 
the  higher graiiks'dihdre  numbers  are  manageable  and  individuals  and  tlieir -records 
are  comparatively  well  known.  Pure  selection  was  adopted  in.  the  lp;we,r  ranks 
also  during  .the  first  few  years  of  the  .|'o.rce,s  existence  as  a separate -entity. 
.This  was  partly  to  straighten  out  the  many  .anomalies  resulting  from  'the trap  id 
formation  of  the  Force  in  time  of  war,  and  partly  as . .ap experiment , ’ .But  time 
showed  that  it  was  not  practicable  and  must,  inevitably  result  in  a : larger . apd 
larger  collection  .of  .fixtures'  a,t  the  . top  of  each  rank?  no.f.  because  "they -were 
not  fit  for  promotion,  but  because . there  were , always  some  -more  brilliant  , . 
youngsters  below  them  who  got  promoted  over  .their  heads.,.  -. 

"Promotion  purely  by  seniority  was . ruled  ouf as". .obviously  unsuitable  for 
a. highly  active  and  technical  service  which  requires  comparatively  young 
"leaders . 

"The  eventual  solution  was.  seniority  tempered  by  ante-dates  which  count 
for  promotion  only  and  make  no.  difference  in  an. off icer’s .seniority  in  his 
existing  rank.  ,, 

"These  ante-dates  of  various  periods  up.  to  ty^o.  years  as  a.  maximum  ^re  . 
earned  automatically,  by  successful  qualification  in  the  various  technical  sub- 
jects such  as  engineering,  wireless  and  the  like,  for  proficiency  in  foreign 
languages  and  for  graduating  at .the  Staff  College  or  as „ a Flying . Instructor • 

"Further,  to  ensure  that'  fche  really  brilliant  pilot  does  net  get  left  be- 
hind, even  if  he  dees  not  aspire  to  any  of  these  '.amtjaininent s , each  air  officer 
commanding  , is  allowed  tc  ;re'Ocmm8hd".s'c  .maijy^iit.li?*.  ;.ai$<?-date  in  all,  according 
to  the  number  of  officers  under  his  command,  qp.ite" apart  from  the  automatically 
earned  ante-date.  The  limit  cf  recomiiiended  ante-date  is  three  years,  and  cf 
recommended  and  automatic  ante-date  combined  four  years, 

AIRCRAFT  'APPRENTICES’  . 

"In  its  other  ranks,  the  Royal  Air  Ec.rce  requires  over  0©  per  cent,  of 
skilled. tradesmen  of  very  various  trades.  Peace  experience  soon  showed -that 
firsy-class  skilled  men  would  not  be .forthcoming  in  anything  like  the  tpumbers 
required  arid  that  consequently  the  Air  Force  must  .train. its  own.  As  long  ago 
as  1919,  therefore,  a system  of  boy  training. was  . instituted.  Advantage  was  . 
taken  of  "the  educational  system  of  tb_e  co.un'f'ryi,'  and  the Vrnain..  source  of  entry  . 
is  by  the.  nomination  of  boys  of  15  .to  'ISi." by . the  local  education  authorities  .. 
all  over  the  kingdom.  Selection  among. nominees  is  by  competitive  examination 
with  a qualifying  minimum,  and  those  successful  join  the  School  of  Technical 

-110-  " . V-6002,  A.  C. 


Training  at  Halton  in  3ucki n ghamshi r e as  Aircraft  Apprentices.  This  source  . of 
entry  is  supplemented  by  open  examination  hy  the  Civil  Service  Commissioners,  • 
and  by  the  .direct  entry,  on  reaching  the  qualifying  standard,  of  the  sons  of 
fathers  who.  have  served  in  His  Majesty's  Fighting  Forces. 

The  course  at.  , Halton  lasts  three,  years,  during  which  the  Aircraft  Appren- 
tices continue  their  general  education  under,  civilian  education  officers,  and 
are  taught  their  trade  by  serving  and  Ex-Service  instructors.  As  nearly  1,000 
skilled  men  are  required  annually,  there  are  upwards  of  3,000  in  residence,  and 
Halton  is  probably  the  largest'  school  of .its  kind  in  the  world.  The  estate 
formerly  belonged  to  the  late  Mr.,  Alfred  Rothschild,  and  the  beautiful  park  and 
surrounding  meadcwland  provide  adequate  playing . grounds  for  the  whole  of  the  . 
school.  Magnif icently  equipped  workshops  exist,-  built  during  the  war,  and  the 
barracks,  commenced  in  1919,  are  the  most  up-to-date  in  England.  Halton  will 
repay  a visit  from  anyone  interested  in  a largo -scale  educational  experiment, 
though  it  may  claim  by  new  to  have  passed  the  experimental  stage. 

"A  similar  technical  school  for  men  of  the  wireless  trade,  though  on  a 
far  smaller  scale,  exists  at  Cranwell. 

"Skilled  men  in  trades  in  which  ,a  few  only  are  required  and  unskilled 
men  are  obtained  by  ordinary . direct  enlistment. 

"One  or  two  points  in  connection  with  the  prospects  of  the  airman  deserve 
mention. 

."Aircraft.  .Apprentices  are  entered  every  six  months  to  the  number  of  about 
500.  From  each  batch  passing  out  of  the  schools  at  Halton  and  Cranwell,  six 
are  selected  for  cadetship  from  among  those  highest  on  the  list.  These  six 
proceed  to  Cranwell  College,  where  they  are  given  the  ordinary  two-years1  course 
free  of  any  .expense.,  and,  on  passing  out  successfully,  are  granted  commissions. 

HON-GOMISSIOHE-D-OFFICER  PILOTS 

"Ex-Aircraft  Apprentices  and  directly  enlisted  men  of  .certain  trades  have 
also  the . privilege  of  volunteering  for  training  as  non-commissioned-officer 
pilots,  of  whom  there  are  at  present  between  three  and  'four  hundred  in  the 
Royal  Air  Force.  On  completion  of  training,  t?aese  men  are  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  Sergeant.  Normally,  they  continue  as  pilots  for  five  years,  though  in  ex- 
ceptional cases  t?o.is  .may  be  extended.  Subsequently  they  revert  to  their  trade, 
but  remain  on  the  flying  reserve,  for  which  they  receive  a retaining  fee  and 
are  kept  in  flying  practice. 

"Sergeant-pilots  are  eligible  for  selection  for  a permanent  commission, 
a few  of  which  are  awarded  annually. 

A .LIES  FULL  OF  PROFESSIONAL  INTEREST 
"And.  now  to  justify  the  title  of  this  article.  What  has  service  in  the 
Royal  Air  Force  to  offer?.  From  the  prosaic  but  important]  aspect  of  a living, 
it  does  not  lead  to  riches  except  in  the  case  of  the  favoured  few  who  become 
sc  expert  technically  as  to  obtain  a fat  billet  in  an  armament  firm.  But  it 
does  offer  to  the:  careful  a living  wage  from  the  commencement,  a fair  income 
in  middle  life,  and  a reasonable  pension. 

"To  the  ardent  youngster  who  wants  to  see  the  world  in  a novel  and  roman- 
tic guise  the  Royal  Air  Force  offers  far  more.  This  is  a mechanical  age,  an 
age  of  ever-increasing  speed,  and  an  age-  of  rapid  scientific  development,  and 
where  can  the  rising  generation  enjoy  all  these  to  anything  like  the  same  ex- 
tent as.,  in  the  Royal  Air  Force?  If  we  go  back  twenty-five  years,  the  aeroplane 
had  not  evolved.  If  we  go  back  fifteen  years,  80  miles  an  hour  .was-'  about  the 
limit  with  on  engine  of  about  100  horse-power . We  have  lately  seen  flight  at 
nearly  360  miles  per  hour,  and  have  engines  of  600  horse-power  and  more,  and  it 
would  be  a bold  man  who  would  forecast  the  developments  of  the  next  quarter  of 
a century. 

"Then,  again,  there  is  the  exhilaration  of  flight,  the  superiority  complex, 
as  it  were,  of  seeing  the  little  motor-cars  and  railway  trains  crawling  along 
below, one,  confined,  to  their  reads  or  rails,  while  oneself  enjoying  extreme 
Speed  and  perfect  freedom  in  all  three  dimensions. 

"What  a wonderful  capacity  to  see  the  world  is  conferred,  too,  by  the  aero- 
plane’. Read  Sir  Philip  Sassoon's  a-ccount  of  his  flight  to  Egypt,  the  Sudan, 
Palestine,  Iraq,  and  India,  and  you.  will  be  verily  astonished  by  all  he  saw  of 
ancient  splendour  and  modern  activities  in  a few  weeks’  trip  by  air.  The  Ncrth- 
West  .Frontier  of-  India,  that  strip  of  age-long  romance,  invasion  and  raid  since- 
. - -HI-  V-S002 , A. C. 


and,  for  that  matter,  before  - Alexander  the  Great,  can  be  traversed  in  a few 
hours,  and  a bird’s-eye  view  obtained  which  goes  far  towards  a realization  of 
its  problems,  their • importance  and; their  interest. 

"Iraq,  Palestine,  Egypt  and  the  Sudan,  with  their  wealth  of  archaeological 
and  historical  interest,  are  easily  exp lor able  by  aeroplane.  The  Royal  Air 
Force  serve  in  all  these  countries,  and  in  Iraq  and  Palestine  the  interest  is 
enhanced  by  the  responsibility  for  internal  security  and  external  defence. 

"Then,  \mless  there  should  be  monotony,  there  are  the  long-distance  flights 
with,  all  their  interest  and  experience,  such  as  those  from  Cairo  to  the  Cape 
and  Nigeria,  the  Far  East  flight  from  England  to  Australia  and  Hcng-Kong,  the 
direct  flight  to  India  without  a stop,  and  a host  of  lesser  flights. 

"The  R.A.F.  also  offers  attractions  to  the  lever  of  the  sea.  Flying  boats, 
capable  of  a wide  range  of  action  on  their  own  resources,  are  now  stationed  in 
the  Persian  C-ulf  and  at  Singapore,  as  well  as  in  the  British  Isles,  while  the 
Fleet  Air  Arm,  of  course,  shames  the  ubiquity  and  instant  readiness  for  action 
of  the  Royal  Navy. 


• ’’Apart  from  the  interest  of  the  Service  itself  and  of  the  countries  in 
which  it; operates,  the  wide  distribution  of  the  force  offers  facilities  for  all 
and  every  kind  of  Sport.  Hunting  at  home;  big  and  small-game  and  mountain 
shooting  in  India;  snipe,  duck  and  woodcock  shooting  in  Iraq,  Palestine,  and 
Malaya;  shooting  of  all  kinds  in  Africa;  and  fishing  in  many  waters,  not  for- 
getting the  big  tarpon-like  monsters  of  .the  Persian  Gulf.  Add  to  these  pig- 
s ticking  in  India  - that  sport  of  kings  - and,  of  course,  every  kind  of  game 
from  polo  to  ping-pong . 

"Such  is  life  in  the  Royal  Air  Force  - a life  full  of  professional  in- 
terest, in  a Service  which  is  continually  developing  on  the  scientific  side, 
constantly  being  given  new  responsibilities,  and  finding  itself  up  against 
novel  problems,  administrative,  technical  and  military,  which  offer  scope  to 
any  and  every  taste.  ■ 

"One  other  word.  The  Royal  .Air  Force  motto  is  "Per  ardua  ad  Astra",  and 
it  tries  to  live  up  to  it." 

0O0- — 

NATIONAL  GUARD  AVIATION  COMPLETED 


With  the  federal  recognition  of  the  44th  Division  Aviation  units, consist- 
ing of  the  119th  Obs.  Squadron,  the  119  th  Photo  Section  and  the, .Medical  Dept. 
Detachment,  all  stationed  at  Newark,  N.J.,  the  first  step  in  development  of 
National  Guard  aviation  is  completed.  The  119th  Squadron  is  the  nineteenth 
observation  squadron  to  be  organized  in  the  National  Guard  of  the  various  States, 
making  one  for  each  of  the  18  Infantry  Divisions  and  the  154th  Obs.  Squadron  at 
Little  Rock,  Ark.,  which  is  assigned  to  Army  Aviation. 

In  the  Regular  Army  all  division  aviation  will  be  transferred  to  the  corps 
but.  in  the  peace  time  organization  of  the  National  Guard  it  will  for  the  time 
being  at  least  remain  a part  of  the  division  to  facilitate  administration, 
training  and  equipping. 

The  other  National  Guard  Observation  Squadrons  are  stationed  as  follows: 

101st  (26th  Division  Aviation) , Massachusetts  National  Guard,  Boston. 

102nd  (27th  Division  Aviation),  ,N.Y.  National  Guard,  New  Dorp, Staten  Id. 

103rd  (28th  Division  Aviation) , Penna..  National  Guard,  Philadelphia, Pa. 

104th  (29th  Division  Aviation) , Maryland  National  Guard,  Baltimore. 

105th  (30'th  Division  Aviation) , Tennessee  National  , Guard,  Nashville. 

106th  (31st  Division  Aviation),  Alabama  National  Guard,  Birmingham. 

107th  (32nd  Division  Aviation),  Michigan  National  Guard,  Detroit. 

108th  (33rd  Division  Aviation),  Illinois  National  Guard,  Chicago. 

109th  (34th  Division  Aviation),  Minnesota  National  Guard,  St.  Paul. 

110th  (35th  Division  Aviation) , Missouri  National  Guard,  St.  Louis. 

111th  (36th  Division  Aviation) , Texas  National  Guard,  Houston. 

112th  (37th  Division  Aviation) , Ohio  National  Guard,  Cleveland. 

113th  (38th  .Division  Aviation) , Indiana  National  Guard,  Indianapolis. 

115th  (40th  Division  Aviation) , California.  National  Guard,  Los  Angeles. 

116th  (41st  Division  Aviation) , Washington  National  Guard,  Spokane , Wash. 

118th  (43rd  Division  Aviation) , Connecticut  National’  Guard,  Hartford. 

120th  (45th  Division  Aviation),  Colorado  National  Guard,  Denver. 

Organization  of  aviation  for  Cavalry  divisions  is’  not  contemplated  at  pres- 
ent. Further  efforts  in  development  of  National  Guard  aviation  will  bo  directed 
ed  toward  perfecting  training  and  completing  the  equipment  of  present  squadrons. 


-112- 


7-6002,  A. C. 


FOOTER  OF-  CATERPILLAR  CLUB  .LEAVES  THE  AIR  -CORPS 

. Mr-.;  M.  -H-.  St.  Clair,  wh o ^Lth  the  late  Maurice  Iiutton  and  Verne  E.  . 
Timmerman*  founded  the  now  famed  Caterpillar  Club , . severed  his  connection  with 
the.. .-Materiel  Division  of  the  Air  Corns,  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  on  April  -• 
1st,,  to  "become  associated  with  the  Switlich  Parachute,  and  Equipment  Company  of 
Trenton,-  H.J.  g . (-..p  -■ 

. -..A.  member  .-of  • the  Parachute  Unit  of  the  Equipment . Branch  of  the.  Materiel 
Division -since  1932,  Mr.  St,  Clair,  under.  Major  E.  L.  Hoffman,  participated  in 
.the  most  interesting  phases  of  the  development  of  the  Air  Corns  parachute,  it 
was  his  keeping  of  the  early  records  of  emergency  jumps  that  led  to  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Caterpillar  Club,  to.  which. he  was  instrumental  in  giving  its  name. 

Mr.  St.  Clair  was  also  active  in  the  development  of  tow  targets;  flying 
clothing,  including  gloves, .helmets,  and  face  masks  for  oxygen  apparatus , and 
many  other  items  of  like  equipment.  The  Hews  Letter  Correspondent  states  that 
his- services  will -be  greatly  missed  at  the  Materiel  Division. 

oOo — - 

■ materiel' Division  RECEIVES  a mohawk  "PIHTO." 

. Captain  Robert  Kauch,  Air  Corps,  stationed  at  the  Materiel  Division  of  the 
Air  Corps , ■ Wright  Field,:  Dayton,  Ohio,  recently  ferried  to  that  station  from 
Minneapolis,  Minn.--,-  a new  Mohawk  ’’Pinto"  low- wing  monoplane,  purchased  from  the 
Mohawk  Aircraft  Corporation  for  experimental  study  and  development  by  the  Air 
Corps.  With  cantilever  wing  construction,  the  "Pinto"  is  powered  with  a ICinner 
K-6  motor  delivering  more  than  100  horsepower.  The  Air  Corps  designation  given 
this  plane  is  XPT-7,  oOo 

THE  TRAIHIEG-  OF  RESERVE  OFFICERS  AT  SELFRIDGE  FIELD  . 

• •■  . . By  the  Hews  Letter-  Correspondent 

The  training  of  Air  Corps  Reserve  officers,  inactive  status,  who  are  quali- 
fied pilots,  is  a very  important  function  at  Self  ridge  Field,  Mb.  Clemens,-  Mich. 
This  field,  located  so  near  Detroit ,_.i.s  visited  throughout  the  week  and  especial- 
ly on  holidays  and  Sundays  by  many  inactive  Reserves  who  are  qualified  pilots 
and  who  take  advantage  and  make-  the. .most  of  their  opportunities  to  motor  25 
miles  for  this  inactive  duty  pilot  training.  There  are  auoroximately  twenty 
Reserve- pilots  who  fly  at  this  station  regularly  and,,  if  the  weather  is  .good 
and  planes  are  available,  it  is  seldom,  indeed,  that  they  fail  to  make  the  most 
of  their  allotment  of  four  hours'  inactive  flying  per  month.  The  Fiscal  Year 
allotment  of  inactive  flying  hours  for  Selfridge  Field  is  almost  exhausted,  and 
all  pilots  are  wondering  if  more  hours  will  be  available. 

So.  far  Self  ridge.  Field  received  three  separate  allotments  of  flying  hours 
for  inactive  duty  training,  totaling  1,375  hours,  of  which  but  approximately  35 
hours  remain. 

Reserve  officers  reporting  to  this  station  for  inactive  duty  flying  are  pro- 
vided with  every  available  facility  which,  of  course,  includes  any  kind  of  fly- 
ing equipment  desired.  If  necessary,  they  are  flight- checked  in  training  type 
aircraft  and  then  permitted  to  fly  observation  and  pursuit  planes  as  soon  as  they 
are  found  qualified. 

In  accordance  with  existing  regulations , Training,  Observation  and  Pursuit 
type  aircraft  are  made  available  for  Reserve  pilots  whenever  possible.,  and  each 
pilot  is  carefully  checked  to- insure  that  he  qualifies  for  service  type  aircraft 
with  the  least  possible  delay.  To  date,  all  Reserve  officers:  regularly  flying  at 
Self ridge  Field  on  inactive  status  have  -keen  placed  in  Group  I as  qualified  to 
perform  piloting  duty  with  a tactical,  organization  without  further  training. 

This  station  has  found  all  inactive  Reserve  officers  intensely  interested  in 
this  Reserve  training.  They  have-  all  along  manifested  a willingness  to  comply 
with  War  Department  and  post  regulations  covering  this  inactive  training,  and 
this  speaks  well'  for  aviation  in  general,  besides'  insuring  hundreds  of  competent 
pilots  for  tactical  organizations  iii  time  -of  - emergency. 

Including  the  pilot  time  consumed  by  inhetive  Reserve 'officers  assigned  to 
other  Corps  Areas,  the  total  inactive  Reserve  flying  hours  at  Self ridge  Field 
during  the  Fiscal  Tear’ 1930  is  now  in  excess  -of  2 ; 000 , and  all  through  these 
2,000  hours  in  Training,  Observation  and  Pursuit  aircraft 'no  accident's  or -injury 
to.  pilots  and  aircraft  'have-  occurred  save  minor  damages1  to  aircraft  which  would 

-113-  . ' : V-6002,  A.C. 


or&ioggrily  be  expected  in  normal  training. 

JPo  like  to  cite  one  incident  here  which  typifies  the  genuine  interest 
whig&  Reserve  officers  at  this  station  display  in  their  training.  Some  feu 
days!  ago,  just  after  a light  thaw,  a P-3A'  Pursuit , an  0-2  and  a PT-1  had  been 
ordered  out  for  Reserve  flying.  Major  Myron  A.  Sine,  Air  Reserve,  who  super- 
vises the  inactive  training  of  ~>ilots  from  his  organization  in  Detroit,  took 
off  in  the  P-3A.  After  a feu  landings  he  taxied  to  the  line  and  suggested  to 
the  Operations  Officer  that  only  the  Observation  and  Training  types  be  fioun, 
since  the  ground  uas  soft  ana  the  wheels  of  the  Pursuit  planes  had  a tendency 
to  sink  through  the  crust  and  there  was  an  easy  possibility  of  damaging  the 
ship  by  nosing  it  over.  A check  of  the  field  proved  major  Sine  to  be  correct, 
and  the  P-3A  was  returned  to  the  hangar . 

0O0 — - 


IMPROVED  WHITER  FLYIiTG  SUITS 


According  to  the  Hews  Letter  Correspondent,  three  new  types  of  winter 
flying  suits  have  been  under  experimental  test  at  Wright  Field  the  past  winter, 
out  of  which  it  is  hoped  a successful  type  may  be  obtained  which  will  materially 
increase  the  warmth  without  increasing  the  bulk  of  the  suits  heretofore  worn, 
and  at  the  same  time  offer  greater  comfort  for  extreme  cold  weather  flying. 

One  type  of  suit  has  the  outer  shell  of  goat  skin,  with  removable  eiderdown 
lining,  the  removable  feature  making  it  possible  fcr  use  as  a two-service  suit. 
This  suit  has  more  warmth  than  the  standard  B-7  type  without  appreciably  in- 
creasing the  bulk.  The  second  has  an  outer  shell  of  combed,  tanned  calfskin 
with  a silk  pile  fabric  lining.  It  is  lighter  by  three  to  four  pounds  than  the 
standard,  having  practically  the  same  warmth  and  50  percent  greater  flexibility.  , 
The  third  type  is  the  standard  &»7,  with  the  blanketing  replaced  by  fur  in  the 
body  only.  This  gives  100  percent  increased  flexibility,  more  warmth,  and 
about  forty  -percent  reduction  in  weight. 

The  size  of  the  collar  on  all  of  these  types  has  been  increased  so  that 
they  button  closely  about  the  face,  and  when  pulled  up  offer  protection  to 
mouth,  nose  end  cheeks.  Orders  will  be  placed  for  one  or  more  of  these  models, 
it  is  expected,  for  service  testing. 

oOo 

ACTIVITIES  AT  MITCHEL  FIELD 

How  that  Spring  is  almost  at  hand  in  and  about  Gotham  and  the  birds  are 
setting  up  at  least  a half-hearted  warble,  flying  is  due  to  take  a fresh  and 
keen  hold  at  Mitchel  Field,  L.I.,  Hew  York.  "Hot  that  we  haven’t  been  doing 
things  this  past  winter, " explains  the  Hews  Letter  Correspondent , "for  despite 
the  inclement  weather  we  have  managed  to  keep  up  an  efficiency  not  to  be  ques- 
tioned considering  our  lack  of  ships.  Radio  ships  have  cracked  off  missions 
with  regularity  and  precision;  photography  has  been  crowded  into  every  available 
fair  day;  formation  flights  have  been  run  off  quite  consistently , and  liaison 
and  contact  missions  of  a practice  nature  have  done  much  to  keep  us  in  condition.  • 

The  path  between  Mitchel  Field  and  the  Gurtiss  plant  in  Buffalo  has  become  1 
a well-flown  one  during  the  last  few  months  and,  as  a result,  we  have  21  new 
0~1E’ s to  brag  about , and  justly  too , because  of  their  great  improvement  over 
the  old  Falcon.  Ask  the  mam  who  has  flown  one. 

The  Group  is  hot  only  scheduled  for  an  extensive  gunnery  program  this  Spring! 
at  CamTJ  Dix,  Hex?  Jersey,  but,  as  usual,  will  be  the  salient  feature  in  the  grand 
old  game  of  defending  the  Atlantic  seaboard  from  the  wilds  of  ’Joisey’  to  the 
wilder  wilds  of  dear  old  Boston.  'They  shall  not  take  ITew  York!  ’ quoth  Whalen, 
as  he  nonchalantly  tossed  a Red  bomb  out  of  the  City  Hall." 

oOo 

PHOTOGRAPHIC  OFFICERS  HOLD  POW  HOW 


A board  of  officers  convened  at  Wright  Field  recently  for  the  purwose  of 
considering  the  tables  of. basic  allowances  for  photographic  sections,  making 
recommendations  for  changes  such  as  may  effect  economy  in  the  amount  of  photo- 
graphic supplies  used  throughout  the  service,  and  discussing -jolicies  for  the 
betterment  of  photographic  units.  The  board  was  composed  of  the  following 
officers;  Car/fc.  W.D.  Wheeler,  Self  ridge  Field;  Cant.  A.W.  Stevens,  Wright  Field; 
Lieuts.  G.W.  Goddard,  Chanute  Field;  Guy.  Kirksey,  Office  Chief  of  Air  Corps,  and 
H.K.  Baisley,  Post  Field. 


-114- 


V-6002,A.C. 


NETT  TYPE  OP  GUN  CAMERA,  TO  BE  TESTED  . , 

The  gun  camera  is  used  in  the  Army  Air  Corps  for  training  pilots  in  the 
firing  of  machine  guns  upon  other  •'aircraft . The  gunner  aims  the  camera  as  he 
would  a gun  hut,  instead  of  firing,  a picture  is  made  which  shows  whether  a 
hit  or  miss  of  the  enemy  plane- would  have  resulted  had  he  fired  a gun.  Be- 
sides receiving  training  in  the  firing  operation,  the  flying  officer  can  learn 
from  the  film  records  his  exact  efficiency  as  a gunner. 

The  new  Type  C— 2 gun  camera  lends  more  aid  in  the  training:  feature,  since 
it  approaches.. in  size  and  shape  the  .30  caliber  Browning  machine  gun  and  may  be 
mounted  on  the  synchronizer  gun  mount,  thus  obviating  the  necessity  of  providing 
an  extra  mount  and  giving  greater  ver similitude  to  actual  gunnery.- 

The  steel  parts' of  the  gun  are  of  stainless  steel,  and  this  is  probably  the 
first  instrument  of  its  kind  incorporating  stainless  steel  bail  bearings.  The 
castings  are  made  of  bronze,  the  combination  of  metals  making  it  especially 
resistant  to  tropical  .and  salt  water  corrosion;  The  gun  shoots  a minimum  of 
three  pictures  a burst,  the  record  of  the  time  being  recorded  after  each  burst. 
The  first  experimental  model  has'  been  delivered  to  the  Ifeteriel  Division  of  the 
Air  Corps  at  Wright  Field.,  Dayton,  Ohio,  where • the  belief  prevails  that  the 
instrument  will  prove  valuable  as  a service  type.. 

0O0 

AERIAL  PHOTOGRAPHIC  DISPLAY  DURING. PHILIPPINE  CARNIVAL. 

The  personnel  of  the  6th  Photo  Section,  stationed  at  Nichols  Field,  P.I., 
displayed  undiscovered  .talents  recently  by  taking. the  role  of  side-show'  baTlyhoo 
artists  in  the  annual  Philippine  Carnival.  Lieut.  McDonnell  was  in  charge  of 
the  Air  Corps  exhibit  and  set  up  a booth  that  ranked  with  the  best.  Among  the 
articles  on  display  were  aerial  oblique  who to graphs,  mosaics,  airplane  and  air- 
ship models,  machine ' gins,  bombs,  parachutes,  propellers  and  an  airplane  motor. 
The  personnel  worked  in  shifts,  explaining"  to  the  interested  public  the  operation 
of  all  aerial  equipment.  , Aerial  oblique  photographs  were  made  of  the  Carnival 
for  newspaper  publication. 

■ — oOo 

RECENT  PROMOTIONS'  OP  ENLISTED.  MEN  OP  THE.'  AIR  CORPS 


Brooks  Pield  - 

Chanute  Pield  - 

Prance  Pield  - 
Hawaiian  Dept.  • 

Kelly  Pield  - 

Langley  Pield  - 


March  Pield 


Panama  Dept . - 

Selfridge  Pield 


Staff  Sgt.  Russell  L.  Philapy,  46th  Sqdn.  to  Tech.  Sgt. 

Tech.  Sgt . Magnus  P.  Susmiehl,  32d  Sqdn.  to  Master  Sgt. 

Elmer,  Biuss,  Tech.  Sgt.  Tech.  School,  to  Master  Sgt. 

Staff  Sgt.  Lee  Silvers,  Tech.  School,  to  Tech.  Sgt. 

Tech.  Sgt.  Archie  L.  Taylor,  7th  Obs.  Sqdn.  to  Master  Sgt. 
Tech.  Sgt.  Maurice  Harthanze  to  Master  Sgt. 

Staff  Sgt.  Hans  G.C.  Ka.ffner  to  Tech.  Sgt. 

Staff  Sgt.  Albert  J.  Freathy,  68th  Serv.  Sqdn.  to  Tech.  Sgt. 
Staff  Sgt'.  Joseph  H-.  Dr o bin  to  Tech.  Sgt. 

Tech.  Sgt.  Wm.  W.  Spoor,  Tectical  School,  to  Master  Sgt. 

Tech.  Sgt..  Chester  E.  Johnson.,  96th  Bomb. Sqdn.  to  Master  Sgt. 
Staff  Sgt.  Fred  P.  Miller,  49th  Sqdn.  to  Tech.  Sgt. 

Staff  Sgt.  Benjamin  A.  Cheska,  IS th  Airship  Co.  to  Tech. Sgt. 
Staff  Sgt.  Chas.-W.  Draiper,  ,49th  Sqdn.  to  Tech.  Sgt. 

Tech.  Sgt.  Donald  M.  Sweeney,  53d  Sqdn.  to  Master  Sgt. 

Staff  Sgt.  Stanford  J.  Lee,  47th  Sqdn.  to  Tech.  Sgt. 

Tech.  Sgt.  Archie  L.  Taylor  to  Master  Sgt. 

Tech.  Sgt.  Cody  Dalton,.  17th  Pursuit  Sqdn.  to  Master  Sgt. 
Staff  Sgt.  Ray  Gaston,  57th  Serv.  Sqdn,  to  Tech.  Sgt. 

Staff  Sgt  . William  E-.  Pope  to  Tech.  Sgt. 

Staff  Sgt.  Frank  Skrobacke  to  Tech,  Sgt. 

Staff  Sgt.  George  Callaghan  to  Tech.  Sgt. 

oOo 


Doming  the  month  of  March,  the  Personnel  Division,  Office  of  the  Chief  of 
the  Air  Corps  , received  a total  of  315  '-applications  for  flying  cadet  training, 
this  number  representing  a substantial  increase  over  the  numbers  received  during 
the  months  of  January  and  February. 


-115- 


V-6002 , A. C. 


AIR  COBPS  OFFICERS  DESIGNATED  TO  ATTEND  STAFF  SCHOOL 


Social  Orders  of  the  War  Department  recently  issued  designated  the  follow- 
ing-named Air  Corps,  officers  as  students  at  the  Command  and  General  Staff  School, 
Port  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  for  the  1930-1932  course.  They  have  been  directed  to 
report  to  the  Commandant  of  that  School  between  August  20  and  31,  1930. 

Major  Vincent  3.  Dixon  Captain  Frederick  I.  Eglin 

Major  Henry  J.  F.  Miller  Captain  Arthur  K.  Ladd 

Major  George  E.  Stratmeyer  Captain  John  I.  Moore 

Major  Benjamin  G.  Heir  Captain  Charles  T.  Phillins 

Major  Barton  K.  Yount 


With  the  exception  of  Major  Dixon  and  Captain  Phillips,  all  of  the  above- 
named  officers  are  students  at  the  present  time  at  the  Air  Corps  Tactical  School, 
Langley  Field,  Va.  Major  Dixon  is  on  duty  as  instructor  at  this  school,  while 
Captain  Phillips  is  a student  at  the  Infantry  School  at  Port  Benning,  Ga. 

oOo- — 


SUMMER  TRAINING  CAMPS  OP  NATIONAL  GUARD  AIRMEN 


The  various  Air  Cor '-s  National  Guard  Squadrons  will  spend  their  two  weeks’ 
field  training  this  coming  summer  at  the  points  named  below,  viz: 

Alabama  - 31st  Division,  Camp  McClellan,  Ala.,  August  16  to  August  31. 
Arkansas  154th  Obs.  Squadron,  Pensacola,  Pla. , July  13  to  July  27. 
California  - 40th  Division,  San  Luis  Obispo,  Calif.  , July  2Stli  to  August  9th. 


Connecticut  - 
Colorado  - 
Illinois  - 
Indiana  - 
Maryland  - 
Massachusetts 
Michigan  - 
Minnesota  - 
Missouri  - 
New  Jersey  - 
New  York  - 
Ohio 

Pennsylvania 
Tennessee  - 
Texas  - 
Washington  - 


43rd  Division, 
45th  Division, 
33rd  Division, 
38th  Division, 
29th  Division, 
2Sth  Division, 
32nd  Division, 
34th  Division, 
35th  Division, 
44th  Division, 
27th  Division, 
37th  Division, 


August  5 to  August  V. 


Groton,  Conn. 

Golden,  Colo.,  June  6 to  June  21. 

Camp  Grant,  111. , August  2 to  August  IS. 
Camp  Knox,  Ky. , August  3 to  August  17. 
Langley  Field,  Va. , August  10  to  August  24. 
Location  not  known,  August  5 to  August  19. 
Grayling,  Mich. , August  12  to  August  26. 
Wold- Chamberlain  Field,  June  14  to  June  28. 
Camp  Clark,  Mo. , July  20  to  August  3. 
Newark,  N.J. , August  IS  to  August  30. 

Pine  Camp,  N.Y. , July  27  to  August  10. 

Camp  Perry,  Ohio,  July  27  to  August  10. 
28th  Division,  Langley  Field,  Va.  Date  not  set. 

30th  Division,  Camp  Jackson,  S.C.,  August  3 to  August  17. 
36th  Division,  Palacios,  Texas,  August  1 to  August  15. 

41st  Division,  Camp  Murray , Wash. y June-  14  to  June  28. 

• — -oOo— - 


MATERIEL  DIVISION  A MECCA  FOR  AIRCRAFT  ENGINEERS 

The  standing  enjoyed  by  the  Materiel  Division  of  the  Air  Corps  among  those 
affiliated  with  the  aircraft  industry,  both  in  this  country  and  abroad,  is  attest 
ed  by  the  large  list  of  manufacturers,  engineers  and  interested  visitors  who  came 
to  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  during  the  month  of  March , in  the  majority  of 
instances  for  engineering  conferences,  among  whom  may  be  mentioned: 

Donald  Douglas  of  the  Douglas  Aircraft  Corporation, 

J.C.  Axelson,  Axelson  Aircraft  and  Engine  Corporation, 

Cleveland  Walcutt,  Ethyl  Gasoline  Corporation, 

Captain  Helm  Speidel,  German  Army, 

Ludwig  Buerr,  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Zeppelin  Company, 

J.  M.  Hiller,  Stromberg  Motor  Devices, 

C.lem  G.  Trimbach,  Curtiss  Company, 

' Alfred  Verville,  Verville  Aircraft. Company, 

Harold  Gamine z , Allison  Engineering  Corporation, 

Frederick  Charavay,  Hartzell  Propeller  Company, 

. Robert  Hartzell,  Hartzell  Propeller  Company, 

T.  E.  Tillinghast,  Pratt  and  Whitney  Company. 

Ernest  W.  Dichman,  Aviation  Corporation, 

Major  Paolo  Spernadori,  Italian  Embassy, 

Commander  Silvio  Scaroni,  Air  Attache,  Italian  Embassy, 

P.  G.  Johnson,  President,  Boeing  Airplane  Company, 

J.  F.  Meade,  Mercury  Aircraft , Inc. 

. -116- 


V-6002,  A. C. 


Dr.  0.  C.  Bridgman,  Bureau  of  Standards,  Washington,  D. C.  •, 

George  S.  Wheat United  Aircraft  'Company,  New  York, 

Arnold  C.  Dickinson,  Sikorsky*  Company, 

Guy  Vaughn,  Wright  Aero  -Cbuporab ion,  : 

B.  D.  Thomas,  Thomas- Morse  Aircraft  Co. 

G.S.  Wilkinson  and  C.  S.  Waaler  of-  D.  Napier  and. Sons,  Ltd.-,  London,  Eng. 

— oOo — ■- 

WAR  DEPARTMENT  ORDERS  - AFFECTING'  AIR  CORPS  OFFICERS 

Changes  of  Station;  'Lieut' .-Col-.  Henry-  B.  -Plage  tt  from  duty  as  Air  Officer, 

9th  Corps  Area,  to  Air  Corps  -Training  Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas. 

Major  Gerald  E.  Brower,  Wright  Field,  to  Self ridge  Field,  Mich. 

Captain  George  W.  McEntire  from  duty  with  Organised  Reserves,  8th  Coups 
Area,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  to  duty  as  Instructor,  Air  Corps,  Mass.  National  Guard, 
Boston,  Mass. 

Captain  Ross  G.  Hoyt,  upon  completion  of  course  of  instruction  at  Air  Coups 
Tactical  School,  to  Self ridge  Field,  Mich. 

Captain  Clyde  Vv  Finter,  Wright  Field,  to  Air  Coups  Training  Center,  Duncan 
Field,  Texas,  July  1,  1930. 

Major ■ Lawrence  W.  McIntosh  from  duty  in  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Coups 
to  Crissy  Field,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Calif.,-  to  assume  command. 

Major  George "H.  Brett,  upon  completion  of  present  Course  of  instruction  at 
Command  and  General  Staff  School,  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  to  Selfridge  Field. 

Major  Harrison  H.C.  Richards,  upon  completion  of  present  course  of  instruc- 
tion at  Command  and  General  Staff  School,  to  Air  Coups  Training  Center. 

Captain  Roderick  N.  Ott,  Brooks  Field,  to  Self ridge  Field,  Mich. 

Captain  Gilbert  T.  Collar  from  duty  ••with'  Organized  Reserves,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
to  Langley  -Field,  Va  . , for  duty' as  student  at  Air  Cor  ps  Tactical  School. 

1st  Lieut s.  Robert  J.  Brown,  Jr.,  Charles  McK.  Robinson  and  Frank  B. Tyndall, 
upon  completion  present  course  Of  instruction  at  Air  Coups'  Tactical  School,  to- 
report  to  Commands ht  of  that  School  for  duty. 

1st  Lieut.  John  De-F.  Barker,  upon  completion  of  present  course  of  instruc- 
tion at  Air  Corps  Tactical -School,  to  Langley  Field,  Vs.,  for  duty. 

1st  Lieut.  Walter  K.  Burgess  from  duty  at  University  of  Illinois,  Urbana.Ill. 
to  Chanute  Field,  Rantoul,  111. 

1st  Lieut.  Edward  E.  Hildreth  from  Chanute  Field,  111.  to  duty  at  University 
of  Illinois, - Urbana,  111. 

1st  Lieut.  Ray  L.  Owens,  March  Field,  to  duty  in  Office  of  Chief  of  Air  Coups. 

1st  Lieut . Walter  R.  Peck  from  Sclioen  Field,  Indianapolis,  Ind. , to  Maxwell 
Field,'  Montgomery,'  AlaV 

1st  Lieut.  Clarence  E-.  Shanlrle  from  duty  as  Instructor,  Air  Corps,  Mass.’ 
National  Guard,  Boston,  Mass.,  to  Fort  Sill,  Okla.  for  duty  with  Air  Corps  -troops . 

1st  Lieut.  Roy  W.  Camblin,  Brooks  Field,  to  duty  with  365th  Observation 
Squadron,  Organized  Reserves,  8th  Corps  Area,  Muskogee,  Oklahoma. 

Orders  assigning  1st  Lieut . James  T.  Curry  to  Fort  Crockett,  Texas,  upon 
completion  course  of  instruction  at  Air  Corps  Tactical  School,  revoked. 

1st  Lieut.  -Augustine  F.  Shea,  upon  completion  tour  of  foreign  service,  to  Air 
Coups  Training  Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas.  Assignment  to  Bolling  Field  revoked. 

2nd  Lieut.  Charles  F.  Sugg,  Brooks  Field,  to  Materiel  Division,  Wright  Field. 

2nd  Lieut.  Harry  J.  Flatequal,  Brooks  Field,  to  Chanute  Field,  111. 

Relieved  from  Detail  to  the  Air  Coups:  2nd  Lieut.  Warren  C.  McDermid  to  the 
1st  Field  Artillery,  Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma.  • 

2nd  Lieut.  John  E.  Theimeu  to  18th  Field  Artillery,  Fort  Sill,  Okla.- 

2nd  Lieut.  George  V.  Millett,  Jr. , to  7th  Infantry,  Fort  Crook,  Nebraska. 

2nd  Lieut.  Joseph  M.  Colby  to  1st  Cavalry  Division,  Fort  Bliss,  Texas. 

2nd  Lieut.  Frank  E.  Fries  to  2iid  Engineers,  Fort  Logan,  Colorado.- 

2nd  Lieut.  Gharles  S.  Vender-blue  to  1st  Field  Artillery,  Fort  Sill,  Okla. 

2nd  Lieut.  George  R.  Sutherland  to  10th  Cavalry,  Fort  Huachuca,  Arizona.  • 

Detailed  to  the  Air  Coups,  and -to  Brooks  Field,  Texas,  July  1,1930,  for 
PRIMARY  FLYING  TRAINING t 2nd  Lieut.  Wm.  P.  Connally,  Jr.  Field  Artillery. 

2nd  Lieut.  Jacob  G.  Reynolds,  Coast  Artillery  Coups. 

Reserve  Officers  Detaile d to  Extended  Active  Paly;  July  2,1930,  to  Dec. 31, 
1930:  2nd  Lieut.  Frank  B.  Stuart,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  to  Fort  Crockett,  Texas; 

.2nd  Lieut.  Leroy  B.  Shidler,  Marianna,  Pa.,  to  Langley  Field,  Va. ; 2nd  Lieut. 

Ross  N.  Huguet,  Centerville,  Texas,  to  Fort  Crockett,  Texas. 

-117- 


V-6002,  A.  C. 


April  1 - March  51,.  1931:  2nd  Lieut.  Harry  Tatum  Rowland,  San  Antonio, 

Texas,  + o Dodd  Field,  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas;  April  15,1930  to  April  14,  1931  - 
2nd  Lieut.  Hugh  Francis  Mcfaffery,  Chester,  Pa.,  to  Mitchel  Field,  ”,  Y, ; 2nd  Lieut. 
John  A.  Kerman  Miller,  Tulsa,  Okla. , to  Dodd  Field,  Fort  Sain  Houston,  Texas;  2nd 
Lieut.  Robert  Sheldon  Butler,  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  to  Marshall  Field,  Kansas:  July  2, 
1930,  to  January  2,  1951:-  2nd  Lieut.  Virgil  D.  Westbrook,  San  Clemente,  Calif., 
to  Rockwell  Field,  Calif.;  2nd  Lieut.  Conger  Poage  to  Fort  Crockett,  Texas;  2nd 
Lieut.  Ernest  Cecil  Slye,  Fairhope,  Ala.,  to  Maxwell  Field,  Ala. 

2nd  Lieut.  Dewey  Bartlo,  Phoenix,  Ariz.  to  Langley  Field,  June  29  to  Dec. 27, 

1930. 

2nd  Lt.  John  F.  Turner,  Oakland,  Calif,  to  Crissy  Field,  May  15  - May  14,  '31. 

2nd  Lt.  Clarence  L.  Terrill,  Takoma  Park,  Mi.,  to  Langley  Field,  Va. , 

April  1,  1930  to  March  31,  1931. 

2nd  Lt . Albert  I.  Patrick,  Mobile,  Ala.  to  Maxwell  Field,  Mont  gome  ry,  Ala. , 
June  30,  1930,  to  December  28,  1930. 

Resignation:  2nd  Lieut.  Gilbert  Lorenzo  Tefft,  April  15,  1930.. 

oOo 

CONTRACTS  AWARDED  FOR  NEW  AIRPLANE  ENGINES 

The  Army  Air  Corps  recently  awarded  a contract  to  the  Pratt  & Whitney  Air- 
craft Company,  Hartford,  Conn.,  for  252  Pratt  & Whitney  air-cooled,  direct  drive, 
Model  R-1690-A  "Hornet"  engines,  and  certain  spare  parts  therefor,  at  a total  - 
cost  of  $1,450,570.72.  A contract  was  also  awarded  to  the  Curtiss  Aeroplane  and 
Motor  Co.,  Inc.,  Garden  City,  Long  Island,  N.Y. , for  the  purchase  of  100  Curtiss 
water-cooled  Model  D-12-E  engines  and  certain  snare  "parts  therefor,  at  a total 
cost  of  $660,280.00. 

The  "Hornet"  engines  are  to  be  installed  in  the  Bombardment  airplanes  for 
which  a contract  was  recently  awarded  the  Keystone  Aircraft  Corporation  of 
Bristol,  Pa.,  while  the  D-12-E  engines  are  to  be  installed  in  Model  A- SB  Attack 
airplanes  for  which  a contract  was  previously  awarded  to  the  Curtiss  Company. 

These  engines  are  being  ^ro  oured  from  available  funds  from  the  Air  Corps 
appropriations  for  the  Fiscal  Year  ending  June  30,  1930. 

oOo— 

NEW  SAFETY  BELT 


A new  design  of  safety  belt  has  been  made  by.  the  Equipment  Branch  of  the 
Materiel  Division,  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  which  has.  the  following  advantages: 
Easily  adjusted  for  any  size  of  man;  quickly  releasable  with  pulling  motion; 
can  be  stowed  out  of  the  way  when  not  in  use,  yet  readily  accessible;  warns 
pilot  when  belt  should  come  open  prematurely;  long  life,  and  will  not  weaken  with 
age. 

- — oOo 

LONG  CROSS- COUNTRY  TRIP  TO  COORDINATE  TRAINING 

Major  Clarence  L.  Tinker,  Assistant  Commandant  of  the  Advanced  Flying 
School,  Kelly  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  recently  completed  a flying  tour  in- 
volving 4,000  miles,  during  which  he  visited  every  tactical  Army  Air  Corps  unit 
east  cf  the  Rocky  Mountains,  for  the  purpose  of  coordinating  flying  training. 

This  was  one  of  the  longest  cross-country  flights  made  from  the  Advanced 
Flying  School  for  this  mission  in  some  time.  Major  Tinker  flew  an  A-3  Attack 
plane,  and  was  accompanied  ty  Lieut.  J.A.  Mollison,  senior  instructor  of  Obser- 
vation at  Kelly  Field. 

The  officers  took  off  from  their  home  airdrome  at  Kelly  Field  on  March 
16th  and, besides  conferring  with  Army  Air  Corps  officials,  visited  the  United 
States  Naval  Flying  School  at  Pensacola,  Fla. , comparing  results  of  training 
methods. 

oOo 


-118- 


V- 6002, A. C. 


NOTES  EROM  AIR  CORE'S  FIELDS 
— --OOC--- 

Materiel  Division,  Wright  Field,  Dayton, Ohio , March  28th: 

Mr.  Ford  L.  Prescc tt,  Tost  Engineer  cf  the  Power  Plant  Branch,  is  enjcjring 
a month’s  leave  cf  absence  in  Florida.  He  was  formerly  Associate  professor  of 
Mechanical  Engineering  at  the  University  cf  Florida.  His  recent  work  at  the 
Division  has  been  concerned  with' a study  of  engine  vibrations. 

Lieut . I. . S . Barjiaby,  U.S.  Navy,  formerly  attached  to  the  Materiel  Division, 
.spent  a week  at  Wright  Field  early  in  March  to  confer  with  engineers  on  the  re- 
vision cf  the  Handbook  of  Instructions  for  Airplane  Designers. 

Lieut.  J.B.  Hadden,  cf  the  Flight  Tost  Branch,  left  March  5th  for  three 
months’  temporary  duty  in  the  Office  of  the  Chief  cf  the  Air  Corps. 

The  following  Chanute  Field  officers  were  at  Wright  Field  from  March  9th 
to  14th  for  the  purpose  of  visiting  the  various  activities:  Lieuts.  A.G.  Hamil- 
ton, M.M.  Murphy,  W .A.  Morgan,  A.F.  Solter  and  W.S.  Lee. 

Lieut.  E.R,  McReynclds  reported  for  duty  at  the  Materiel  Division  on  March 
10th  and  was  assigned  to  the  Inspection  3ranch.  His  previous  assignment  was 
that  of  Air  Corps  representative  at  the  Keystone  Aircraft  Company, Bristol, Pa. 

Lieuts.  Leroy  Wolfe,  J.G-.  Toy  lor  and  Raj-  Zettel  took  off  on  March  12th 
for- Santa  Monica,  Calif.,  for  an  inspection  cf  the  mock-up  cf  a new  Douglas  .. 
Observation  airplane. 

Lieut. 'D.-W.  Watkins  left  by  rail  for  'Bridgeport,.  Conn.,  to  inspect  a 
Sikorsky  Amphibian  being  constructed  for  the  Air  Corps. 

Louis  C.  Hagomeyor  in  charge  of  moving  picture  photography  at  Wright  Field, 
left  by  plane  c-n  iiarch  14th  with  Lieut.  Guy  Kirksey,  of  the  Office  of  the  Chief 
of  the  Air  Corps,  to’ photograph  the  Air  Corps  Exercises  at  Sa.nr ament o , Calif  • 
These  photographs  will  form  a historical  record  cf  maneuvers  for  study  later, 
and  for  exhibition  purposes  at  the  various  fields  throughout  the  country. 

Major  H.H.  Arnold,'  Commanding  Officer  of  Fairfield  'and  Chief  cf  the  Field 
Service  Section  of  the  Materiel  Division;  Major  O.E.  Brower,  Chief  of  the  Air- 
plane Branch;  and  Lieut.  H.P.  Rush,  of  the  Airplane  Branch,  are  absent  from 
the  Division  attending  the  Air  Corps  Exercises  on  the.  West  Coast. 

Lieut.  F.O.  Carroll  left  on  March  21st  by  rail  to  ferry  a Thcmas-Mcrse 
0-19 B airplane  to  this  station. 

Lieut.  W.5.'-  Hough  arrived  on  March  24th  from  Mitchel  Field  for  a three- 
days ' conference  with  radio  engineers. 

Lieut.  E.R.  Page,  Chief  of  the  Power  Plant  Branch,  left  on  March  27th 
for  Buffalo,  Hew  To  rk;  Paterson,  ‘N.'J. ; and  Hartford,  Conn,  to  confer  with  the 
Curtiss,  Wright  Aeronaut deal, and  Pratt  and  Whitney  Companies  concerning  engines 
contracted  for  by  the  Air  Corps. 

Marshall  Field,  Fort  Riley,  Kansas,  March  25th: 

Observers  in  the  squadron  are  being  given  instruction  and  practice  in 
Aerial  Photography  under  Lieut.  Lloyd  C.  Blackburn , of  the  Ninth  Photo  Section. 
Each  officer  is-  taking  and  laying  a mosaic  map,  taking  and  developing  both 
vertical  pin  points  and  obliques. 

A portion  of  the  Kansas  River  on  the  reservation  is  being  used  for  rear 
aerial  gunnery  practice  by  sighting  on  protruding  stumps  or  seme  such  objects. 
The  results  of  firing  the  flexible  mount  guns  con  be  readily  seen,  and  proves 
to  be  an  instructive  means  of  securing  preliminary  practice. 

2nd  Lieuts.  Clarence  E.  Enyort , Eugene  M.  Kruse,  Dyke  F.  Meyer,  Julian  M. 
Joplin,  Air  Corps  Reserve,  graduates  of  the  Advanced  Flying  School  of  the  class 
of  February  2Stk , 1930,  reported  for  a year’s  active  duty  at  this  station  on 
March  10th. 

2nd  Lieut.  Roy  T.  Wright,  Air  Corps';  who  graduated  from  the  Advanced 
Flying  School -with  the  class  of  October  14th,  1329,  reported  for  duty  at  this 
station  on  March  1st. 

Lieut,  and  Mrs.  Lloyd  C.  Blackburn  were  host  and  hostess  at  a most  en- 
joyable Air  Corps  supper  dance  at  the  Junction  City  Country  Club  on  February 
26th. 

The  Post  Bowling  tournament  for  5-men  teams  was  recently  won  by  the  Squad- 
ron bowling  team.  A tournament  is  now  being  held  for  three-men  teams:  Sgts, 

- 119  tp-6002, A. C.- 


Rioef,  Eborling;  Pvts  . Oldson  and  Hayden  comprised  the  first  team.  Repeating 
the  record  of  the  five-men  team,  this  team  won  first  place.  The  second  team, 
comprising  Sgt . Henderson,  Pvts.  Colosi,  Parks  and  Phinney,  won  third  place  in 
the  tournament . 

War  Department  orders  were  received  extending  the  active  duty  period  of 
Lieuts.  Carl  H.  Olson  and  Charles  C.  Cunningham,  Air  Corps  Reserve,  from  July  2, 
1930  to  January  2,  1931,  and  of  Lieut.  Dick  R.  Petty  from  June  30, to  December 
23 , 1930 . 

San  Antonio  Air  Depot,  Duncan  Field, San  Antonio , Texas,  March  26th : 

On  February  26th  the  Depot  enjoyed  a visit  from  Lieut  .-Col.  Ira  Longanecker, 
Chief  of  the  Information  Division,  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  in 
connection  with  his  recent  tour  of  Air  Corps  activities  in  this  vicinity.  He 
was  accompanied  by  Lieut.  Arthur  I.  Ennis,  also  of  the  Information  Division. 

Lieut.  Russell  J.  Minty  ox  the  Fairfield  Air  Depot,  Fairfield,  Ohio,  was 
on  temporary  duty  at.  this  Depot,  February  23d,  24th  and  25th,  for  conference 
and  study  of  the  system  of  operating  the  Air  Corps  Station  Supply  Department 
at  this  Depot,  arriving  and  leaving  by  air. 

Capt . Warner  B.  Gates , was  welcomed  into  the  Depot’s  official  family  on 
February  26th,  having  been  transferred  here  from  Kelly  Field.  Capt.  Gates  was 
appointed  Depot  Adjutant  and  to  all  the  other  multifarious  offices  concomitant 
thereto,  relieving  Lieut.  Albrc,  who  was  reassigned  to  his  former  duty  as  As- 
sistant Engineering  Officer  of  the  Depot. 

A party  of  four  enthusiastic  lads,  members  of  the  Aero  Club  of  the  Brack- 
enridge  High  School  in  San  Antonio,  made  an  intensive  tour  of  inspection 
through  the  Depot’s  Engineering  Shops,  on  February  27th,  and  apparently  had  a 
thoroughly  enjoyable  and  instructive  time  of  it. 

Capt.  L.P.  Hickey  of  post  Field,  Fort  Sill,  Okla.,  was  a visitor  at  this 
Depot  on  February  28th,  ferrying  in  a PT-3,  and  returning  to  his  home  station 
in  an  02-H. 

Major-General  Hugh  A.  Drum,  The  Inspector  General,  on  his  recent  tour  of 
inspection,  afforded  this  Depot  the  pleasure  of  its  first  visit  from  him  on 
March  20th. 

Lieut.  Harry  Weddington,  on  duty  at  Love  Field,  Dallas,  Texas,  was  a,  cross- 
country visitor  at  the  Depot  on  March  4th,  accompanied  by  Hon.  H.  Wade  as 
passenger. 

Lieut.  Lucas  V.  Beau,  Jr.,  Air  Corps  Instructor  on  duty  with  the  Colorado 
Rational  Guard  at  Denver,  visited  the  Depot  on  March  5th,  bringing  in  an  02-H 
for  overhaul,  and  returning  on  the  6th,  ferrying  another' 02-H  to  Denver. 

Lieut.  Edgar  E.  Glenn  on  duty  at  Hat box  Field,  Muskogee,  Okla.,  arrived 
at  the  Depot  on  March  12th  for  engine  change  in  his  02  plane,  returning  to 
Muskogee  on  the  13th. 

In  connection  with  the  new  0-19  type  airplanes  being  purchased  by  the  Air 
Corps,  three  of  this  Depot’s  Engineering  Department  personnel,  Mr.  Y.J.  Myers, 
Shop  Superintendent;  Mr.  R.H.  Van  Plorn,  General  Machinist;  and  Mr.  C.B.  Means, 
Sheet  Metal  Worker,  left  the  Depot  on  March  13th  for  twenty  days’  temporary 
duty  to  make  a study  at  the  factory  of  the  Thomas -Morse  Aircraft  Corporation, 
Buffalo,  H.Y.,  of  the  construction  and  maintenance  of  this  type  of  plane. 

Lieut.  Harry  H.  Mills  of  the  Middletown  Air  Depot,  Middletown,  Pa.,  was  a 
visitor  at  the  Depot  on  March  19th,  arriving  from  and  returning  to  Ft.  Crockett, 
Texas,  by  air.. 

The  following  airplanes  and  engines  wore  overhauled  and  repaired  in  the 
Engineering  Department  of  this  Depot  during  February,  1930:- 

Airplanest  Overhaul  - 1 A-3,  1 LB-5,  3 Pl-D,  2 Pl-F,  1 DH-4M-2,  1 DH-4M- 
2P,  3 DH-4M-2T,  3 02,  6 02-H,  1 02-K,  3 PT-3,  3 PT-3A,  Total,  28. 

Miscellaneous  Repair:  1 A-3,  1 LB-5,  1 C-7,  2 C-9,  1 02,  1 02-M4,  1 0-11, 

1 PT-3A,  Total,.  9. 

Engines:  Major  Overhaul  - 19  Curtiss  D-12,  22  Wright  J-5,  1 Wright  J-6, 
Total,  42.  Minor  Overhaul  - 15  Liberty,  1 Curtiss  D-12,  1 Wright  E;,  2 Wright 
J-5,  1 Wright  J-6,  Total,  20. 


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Y-6002,,A.C. 


Nichols .Field,  Eizal,  P.I.,  March  5th:. 

2d  Observation  Sonadrcn:  The  annual  gunner y and  bombing  season  in  this 
organization  is  well  under  way.  Capt . Giles,  Lieut sv.  Backes  and  Shea  are  fight- 
ing for  highest  scores. 

Lieut s.  Hamlin  and  Backes  made  a ere ss -country  flight  on  San  Jose,  Mindoro, 
on  February  8th  for  the  purpose  of  making  repairs  to  the  radio  station  located 
at  that  place, 

Lieuts.  Yeager  and  Kennedy  made  a cro ss -country  trip  in  two  Loening  Amphib- 
ians to  Pclillo  Island  on  the. 15th- 

Two  flights  of  three  planes  each  gave  Major  and  Mrs.  Kilner  a rousing  send- 
off  when  they  left  the  Islands  on  the  " Burgenland"  en  route  to  the  U.S.. , via 
Europe . 

66th  Service  Squadron;  1st  Lieut.  Earl  S.  Hoag,  A.C.,  was  transferred  tc 
the  2d  Observation  Squadron  of  February  1st  and  1st  Lieut.  Charles  Douglas  took 
over  Lieut.  Hoag’s  duties,  as  Squadron  Adjutant. 

Chanute  Field,  Rantcul,  111.,  April  7th : 

On  the  evening  of- April  1st,  a novel  party  was  held- at  the  Off icers 1 Club. 
The  arriving  guests  found- themselves,  apparently  in  a. miniature  Monte  Carlo ; . • A 
large  roulette  wheel  occupied  the  . center  of  the  room.  Distributed  about  were 
games  of  Chuck-A-Luck , Michigan  and  Black  Jack.  Guests,  upon  entering  were 
furnished  with  poker  chips-  and  identification:  tags,  for  markers 9;  It  soon  trans- 
pired, however,  that  these  did  not  represent -money.  The  evening  proved  an  ex- 
citing one,  the  center  of  interest  being  the  roulette  wheel,  operated  by  Lieut. 
Wood..  Prizes  were  distributed  to  the .-  winners ; : Mrs., , He  aid,  • Lieut . Frederick, 

Mrs.  We-ikert  and;  Lieut-. . Hildreth. 

Mrs.  C.O.  Hobscn,  Instructor  in  Aircraft  Instruments,  completed  a tour  of 
temporary  duty  at  the  Materiel  Division, -Wright ■ Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  during' . 
which  time  he  made  a study  of  the,  development  of  aircraft  instruments.  Com- 
plete cooperation  by  the  personnel  of  the  Materiel  Division,  with  whom  Mr.  Hob- 
son came  in  contact,  resulted  in  a very  successful. toup  of  duty.  . 

Lieut.  Paisley,  Air  Corps,  and  Lieut.  Seibert,  Field  Artillery,  passed 
through  this  station  in  an  02-K,  en  route  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  spending  a day  at 
the  Photographic  School.  They  were  on  the  way  tc  secure  night  photographic 
equipment;  in  Dayton  for  use  by  the  Field  Artillery  School  in  connection  with 
night  firing. 

Selfridge  Field,  Mt..  Clemens,  Mich.,  April  4th: 

The  other,  day  we  read  an  article  by  Gy  Caldwell,  reprinted  from  Aero  Digest, 
entitled,  "Say  it  with  fires",  in. .which. .he •■•announced.' his  election  as  an  honor- 
ary fireman  and  extended,  an  invitation  tc  attend  the  fearless  fire-fighters* 
flaming  frolic  which  was  tc  be  held  amidst  the. ruins  - of  the  next  burned  hangar. 

We  sincerely  hope. no  one  else  is  forwarding  a similar  invitation,  for  we 
now  have  a perfectly  good  room  for  Cy  and  his  brother  firemen.  It  all  occurred 
between  12:30  and  1:00  o’clock,  Tuesday,  March  18th.  A wind  raging  in  velocity 
from  22  to  31  miles  per  hour  aided  the  fire,  greatly  - needless  to  say,  Se'lfridge 
Field  is  now  shy  one  hangar. 

If  the  coming  of  new  ships  heralds  Spring,  we  here  could  certainly  lock 
forward  to  pleasant  weather.-  From  present  indications,  however,  it  would  ap- 
pear that  .our  eighteen. P-12B* s and  thirteen. 0-193* s (due  to  arrive  very  very 
soon)  will  have  to  mount  -skiis  in  order  to  slide  in. 

Major  Hcyce  and  his  flight  .of  22  P-i?s  had  considerable  trouble  getting 
started  on  the  Spring  Maneuvers.  The  flight  was  forced  back  to  Selfridge  Field 
on  three  different  occasions  by  blizzards  and  heavy  snows.  The  fourth  trial 
was  successful,  and  the  Major  and  his  flight,  are  new  at  Mather  Field. 

Two  teams  from  Selfridge  Field,  in  charge  of  1st  Lieut.  F.A.  Johnson, 
participated  in  the  Sixth  Corps  Area  Indoor-  Athletic  Meet  at  Jefferson  Barracks 
Missouri,  on  March. 24th.  The.,  basketball  team,  composed  of  Staff  Sgt.  Fre.edlund, 
57th  Service  Squadron;  ■ Sgt . . McGinnis,  15th  Observation  Squadron;  Cpl.  Sauirjs, 
Headquarters;  Pvts.  Mcrrin,  15th;  Gagnier,  Everett  and  Hughes,  57th;  and  Sgt. 
Skinner,  Headq.uar.ters,.  defeated  the  teams  representing  Ft.  Sheridan,  Jefferson 
Barracks  and  Scott  Field,  to  win  third  place.  The  only  game  lost  was  to  the 

- 121  - V-6002, A.C. 


Ft.  Wayne  team,  winner  of  the  championship,  and  that  doesn’t  hurt  so  had  when 
one  considers  the  drubbing  we  gave  them  earlier  in  the  season. 

The  boxing  teem,  composed  of  Sgt . McConnaughey,  pvts . Murray,  Ellett, 

Scheib  and  Bresner,  placed  one  man,  Bresner  who  won  the  Sixth  Corps  Area  bantam 
weight  championship* 

Two  accidents  marred  the  team’s  chances  for  the  championship  - the  first 
when  Scheib  broke  a rib  in  training  the  day  before  the  meet  and  the  second  when  ■ 
Murray  broke  his  hand  in  the  semi-finals.  It  will  be  a different  story  next 
year. 

27th  Pui- suit  Squadron.  A.C.:  Pour  newly  appointed  Reserve  Officers  were 
assigned  to  the  27th.  Squadron.  They  ere  Lieuts.  Reid,  Thompson,  Davis  and 
McGuire . 

At  present  there  are  but  eight  officers  and  four  P-1’ s present  in  the 
Squadron,  the  remaining  personnel  and  equipment  being  at  Mather  Field  partici- 
pating in  maneuvers.  Lieuts.  Yost,  Brown,  Morgan,  LeMay  and  Smith  flew  P-lC’s 
to  Sacramento  as  part  of  the  first  provisional  squadron  led  by  Major  Royce. 

Lieuts.  Elliott,  Boatner,  Ramey,  Sillin  and  Straubol  went  by  rail  to 
Seattle,  Wash.,  to  accept  new  Boeing  P-12B’s.  These  planes  v/e re  flown  to 
Rockwell  Field  for  mechanical  check-up,  thence  to  Mather  Field  to  form  part  of 
the  second  provisional  Pursuit  Squadron,  led  by  Capt . Victor  H.  Strahm.  One 
P-12  was  damaged  in  flight  test  at  Seattle,  leaving  Lieut.  Harrington  waiting 
at  Selfridge  several  weeks  for  orders  to  proceed  to  get  the  last  of  the  con- 
tingent of  18  planes. 

Staff  Sgt.  Lawrence  and  Redifer,  Sgts.  Rose  and  Edmonds  and  Cpl.  Baum- 
gartner were  chosen  from  this  squadron  to  make  the  trip  to  Sacramento  by 
transport . 

94th  Pursuit  Squadron, A .C . : Lieuts.  Johnson,  Harding,  Rhudy,  Lowry  and 

Bolen  went  to  Seattle,  Wash.,  by  train  to  ferry  a consignment  of  P-12’ s from 
the  Boeing  factory  to  Sacramento  for  the  Spring  maneuvers.  Upon  completion  of 
this  mission  they  will  bring  the  P-12’s  back  to  Selfridge  Field. 

Lieuts.  .Wurt smith,  Alexander,  Underhill,  Garrison,  Vaupre,  Anderson,  Autcn,  II 
Tellman  and  McLellan,  flew  cut  with  the  Group. 

Lieuts.  McConnell,  A.T.  Johnson,  Crabb  and  Feldmann  are  the  new  Reserve 
officers  in  the  squadron  who  recently  completed  a course  of  instruction  at 
Kelly  Field. 

Lieut.  Cobb  is  piloting  one  of  the  cargo  planes  on  the  Sacramento  flight. 

Staff  Sgt.  William.  S.  Kingsley  was  transferred  from,  the  Sixth  Pursuit 
Group  to  the  34th.  He  will  take  up  his  duties  here  as  seqn  as  his  two  months’ 
leave  is  up. 

Staff  Sgt.  William  E.  Pope  and  Frank  Skrobacke  were  promoted  to  the  grade 
cf  technical  sergeant . 

57th  Service  Squadron,  A.C.:  During  the  greater  part  of  the  month,  the 

organization  was  as  busy  as  the  proverbial  cranberry  merchant,  due  to  the  de- 
mands of  the  various  Pursuit  squadrons  that  wanted  work  done  before  departure 
cf  the  Group  for  Mather  Field.  Consequently,  it  was  with  a sigh  of  relief  that  | 
the  57th  watched  the  Group  finally  take  off  for  California. 

We  are  now  the  proud  possessors  of  the  bantam  weight  crown  of  the  Sixth 
Corps  Area.  P.F.C.  Bresner  just  returned  from  Jefferson  Barracks  with  the  title 
tucked  under  his  arm.  He  is  now  scanning  the  horizon  in  search  of  new  worlds 
to  conquer. 

There  v/e  re  numerous  promotions  during  March.  Pvts.  1st  Cl.  Winter,  Filli- 
berti  and  Buckley  were  appointed  corporals;  Cpls . McMillen,  Sweitlowski  and 
Landry  were  ma.de  sergeants;  Sgt.  McConnaughey  is  now  a staff  sergeant,  and 
Staff  Sgt.  Callaghan  was  promoted  to  the  grade  cf  technical  sergeant;  Tech. Sgt. 
Cody  Dalton  was  transferred  to  the  17th  Pursuit  Squadron  and  made  a master 
sergeant  in  the  bargain. 

37th  Division  Aviation,  March  27th: 

The  annual  Army  inspection  of  the  37th  Division  Air  Corps,  Ohio  National 
Guard,  was  held  at  the  Municipal  Airport,  Cleveland,  Ohio,  on  March  21st  and 
23d.  Major  Muhlenberg,  A.C.,  U.S.  Array,  Air  Officer  cf  the  5th  Corps  Area, 
stationed  at  Columbus,  inspected  the  outfit. 

Out  cf  a total  enlisted  strength  of  90  in  the  squadron,  the  Medical  Section 
and  the  Photographic  Section,  only  9 men  were  absent.  Out  of  a total  officer 

- 122  - V-6002,A.C . 


strength  in  the  three  sections  cf  23,  4 were  absent. 

The  officers  rf  the  Squadron  are  performing  their  regular ‘monthly  flying, 
hut  are  only  getting-  in  a minimum  number  cf  hours  because  rf  the  muddy  condition 
cf  the  south  side  of  the'  field*  The  flying  equipment  of  the  Squadron  now  'em.- 
sists  of  eight  ships,  five  Douglas  0-2*s,  one  Douglas  0 2-K  and  two  Cense li’&htcd 
PT’s,  In  addition,  Lieut.  Cunnings , the  Army  Instructor  assigned  to  the  Squad- 
ren,  has  his  own  Douglas  02 „ Lieut.  Cummings  -just  returned  from  a two  months* 
leave  spent  in  Florida,,  where  he  did  some  flying  occasionally  between  ; Jackson- 
ville and  Miami# 

Lieut.  Butler  of  the  Photographic  Section,  narrowly  missed  a fatal  trip  a 
few  days  ago  when  a short  delay  caused  him  to  miss  the  flight  of  a Curtis's 
flying  service  Robin  during  which  two  men  were  killed* 

Air  Corps,  Connecticut  National  .Guard,  Hartford,  Conn. »,  March.  29th: 

With  the ' coming  of  Spring  cross-country  flying  is  taking  on  a new  lease-  of 
life.  Our  pilots  are  giving  .our  Observers  plenty  of  work,  and  I don't  mean-  may- 
be . Incidentally,  the  pilots  are  .adding  hours  to  their  flying  time  which,  dur- 
ing the  cold  New  England  winters,  suffers  quite  a shrinkage. 

General  William  P'..  Ladd,  former  Commander  of  the  118th  Observation  Squad- 
ron, and  Major  Hubert  Johnson  went  to  Bridgeport,  Conn'.,  last  week  to  confer 
with  the  officers  of  the  242d  Coast.  Artillery  in  preparation  for  Tow-Target 
practice  this  summer-.  The  Artillery  officers  are  all  "pepped"  up  in  anticipa- 
tion of  the  practice. 

Lieut.  Raymond  E.  Holts,  assistant  to  our  Plight  Surgeon,.  Capt . Smith, 
leaves  in  April  for  Kelly  Pield  where  he  will  spend  six  months  studying  Aviation 
Medicine.  When  he'  returns  we  wi  1.1  have  two  full-fledged^  Plight  Surgeons  at- 
tached to  our  Squadron . - With  .all  this  medical’  knowledge  surrounding  us,  we 
better  look  out ' cr  someone  will  get  hurt. 

Last  winter  all  of  cur  enlisted- personnel  was  given  the  opportunity  of  tak- 
ing the  ccrroSpChdehco  courses'  leading- to.  a commission  as  an  Observer.  Pour  cf 
them  have  scon  the '-battle  through  and  are  .now  fast'  getting  in  the  required 
flying  time.  ■ - 

On  March  17th,  'Capt'.  Knox,  who, -.is  also  State  Aviation  Commissioner , and 
Capt . Generous,:  his  Deputy,  together  with  Lieut s.  Mills,  Wright.,  Yeomans  and 
Sgt . Young,  flew  to  Providence,  R. I.,  to -attend  the'- spying  conference  of  Air- 
port Managers.  On  the  18th  they  continued  oh  to'-Bobton  to,  participate  in  the 
meeting  of  -the  Aviation  Section  of  the  . New  England- Council,  which  is  perfecting 
plans  for  an  Air  Tour  in  May.'  Lieut.  Mills  presided  at  the  Providence  meeting 
and  Capt.  Knox  was  one  of  the.  principal  speakers. 

Mitchel  Pield,  L .1 . , N.Y. j March  15th: 

The  social  calendar  ait  Mitchel,  Pield  is  being  enhanced  twice  a month  by 
bridge  parties  held  in  the  Officers*  Club,  and  they  are  proving  an  ever  increas- 
ing source  of  pleasure  to  all  those  who  are  in  the  habit  of  attending.  Winning 
and  losing,  however,  is  a secondary  matter.  The  good  fun  had  by  all  is  out* 
chief  enjoyment , '..and  as  ye.t  we  have  .found  no  substitute  as  a pleasant  means  of 
keeping  in  touch  with  one  another. 

Lieut. -Col.  Charles  L.  Scott,  (Cav.)  who  -has' served  as  Quartermaster  on 
this  Pest  since.  June,  1929;  departed  to  eventually  become  the  Director  of ■ the 
Cavalry  School  at  Pt.  Riley,  Kansas.  He  will  proceed  to  that  station  after  an 
extended  conference  with  the  Chief,  of  Cavalry  in  Washington.  It  was  ’With  great 
regret  that - we  aaw  him' depart  for.  he  proved  himself  to  be  a very  likeable  per-  ' 
sen,  an  efficient  Quartermaster,  and  an  unparalleled  riding  master  for  the 
children.  Ho  will  be  succeeded  by  Major . Drury ■ Mitchell,  (Q.M.)  who  is  en  route 
from  the  Philippines.-.  ' ‘ ,• 

Lieut  .-Cci.  Gerald  C.  Brant, (A. C.)  former  Commanding.  Off icer  of  Crissy- 
Pield  and  keeper-,  of  the  Golden  Gate,  -just  .reported  here  at  Mitchel  Pield  to 
take  up  his  duties  as  Group  and  Post  Executive  Officer®  Col.  Brant,  known  as 
"Jerry"  to  his  intimates,  is  well  .thought , of  throughout  the  Air-  -Corps,  ’ and  we 
are  exceedingly  happy  to- have  him  here  among. us. 

Taking  the-  cue  from  Mark  Lewis,  who  recently  moved  cn  the  Post  with  his 
very  new  and  very  pretty  wife,  Lieut s . Mower  and  Baylor  donned  their  sevenp 
league  boots  and  are  off  to  the  races.  Joe  Baylor  seems  tc  prefer  the  local 

- 123  - V-6002, A.C. 


terrain  and  talent  in  exercising  Ms  wiles,  but  net  sc  Brother  Mower.  Reports 
of  his  progress. are  still  very  indefinite  hut,  according  to  the  latest  -press 
bulletin  from  the  Times,  he  is  uprooting  the  whole  -countryside.  He  has,  so  the 
gossip  goes,  cor  rale  d the  fairest  in  the  land,  and  will  soon  be  back  to  let  us 
in  on  the  secret  of  his  success. 

A later  news  bulletin  says  that  he  has  set  the  date  on  the  8th  of  April. 
We’ll  let  you  in  on  that  at  the  next  sitting,. 

Mitchel  Field  has  a haunted  house.  The  operator  knows  it  only  as  the 
haunted  house  and  calls  it  such.  Laundry  and  tailor  tickets  are  labeled  "haunt- 
ed house".  Pecpel  point  at  it  across  the  far  reaches  of  Mitchel  Field  and 
whisper , "haunted  house"!  Strange  noises  are  heard  at  night  - erie  shrieks  - 
lights  flash  on  and  off  - the  wind  moans  and  doors  swing  to  and  fro. 

In  days  of  the  past,  it  was  the  rexjutable  residence  of  one, Major  March. 

It  was  an  attractive  white  house  behind  the  hos-pital,  but  time  has  taken  its 
roll  and  now  it  stands  a grim  remnant  of  a better  day. 

Today,  if  one  were  to  watch  close  enough,  he  might  see  as  many  as  from 
one  to  fourteen  shave-tail  ghosts  flitting  to  and  from  this  den  bent  on  their 
ghoulish  missions.  He  might  then  understand  the  reason  for  the  strange  noises 
and  the  flickering  lights.  Yea,  such  is  the  price  that  a bachelor  pays.  On 
taking  up  cur-  abode  in  this  den  of  iniquity  we  dubbed  it  the  "haunted  house", 
and  in  it  we  while  away  many  a cheerful  evening  with  all  the  spirits  confined 
in  the  attic  -meaning  ghosts.  Only  when  all  the  lights  are  turned  low  do 
they  descend  and  gather  around  the  last  embers  in  the  fireplace. 

Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif.,  March  28th: 

The  past  several  weeks  have  been  extremely  busy  and  interesting  for 
Rockwell  Field  in  preparation  for  Air  Corps .Maneuvers  to  be  held  at  Mather 
Field,  Sacramento,  Calif.,  April  1st  to  24th,  and  in  addition  to  the  visit  of 
many  high  ranking  dignitaries  of  the  Army. 

Brigadier-General  William  S.  Gillmore,  Assistant  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps, 
arrived  at  Rockwell  Field,  March  25th,  accompanied  by  members  of  his  staff, 
the  party  coming  in  four  planes.  General  Gillmore,  who  is  in  charge  of  Air 
Corps  Maneuvers  new  being  held  at  Mather  Field,  made  an  inspection  of  the  field 
and  depot  while  here.  The  General  left  Rockwell  Field,  March  27th,  for  Mather 
Field,  via  Los  Angeles. 

Major-General  Hugh  A.  Drum,  newly  appointed  Inspector  General  of  the 
United  States  Army, . arrived  at  Rockwell  Field,  March  26th,  for  a brief  tour 
of  inspection  of  local  military  establishments  in  tliis  vicinity. 

General  Drum  was  accompanied  to  Rockwell  Field  by  Major  Sneed  and,  upon 
his  arrival,  he  inspected  the  Guard  of  Honor,  the  7th  Bombardment  Group  under 
the  command  of  Major  Carl  Spatz,  and  then  witnessed  an  aerial  review,  which 
was  held  in  his  honor.  He  then  inspected  the  Rockwell  Air  Depot  in  detail, 
manifesting  a considerable  interest  in  the  various  departments  and  methods. 

He  then  inspected  the  enlisted  men’s  mess  and  cantonments,  after  which  he  pro-  ■ 
ceeded  to  Fort  Rosecrans,  where  he  reviewed  the  Coast  Artillery  and  Cavalry 
units  stationed  at  that  post. 

Col.  Isaac  Newell,  General  Staff  Corps,  Chief  of  Staff,  Ninth  Corps  Area, 
arrived  at  Rockwell  Field,  March  24th,  for  purpose  of  inspecting  training, 
administrative  and  supply  matters. 

Rockwell  Field  was  busy  the  past  month  ferrying  supplies,  personnel, etc ., 
to  Mather  Field,  in  connection  with  the  Combined  Air  Corps  Field  Exercises. 

1st  Lieut.  C.P.  Kane,  Depot  Supply  Officer  of  the  Rockwell  Air  Depot,  was 
designated  as  Air  Corps  Supply  Officer  for  the  Exercises  at  Mather  Field,  and 
has  been  there  since  March  1st,  preparing  for  supplies  to  be  used  in  connection 
therewith. 

A squadron  of  five  Transport  planes  left  Rockwell  Field,  daily,  on  a round, 
trip  flight  to  Mather  Field,  returning  here  about  dusk.  Each  plane  carried  a 
maximum  load  of  approximately  1100  pounds,  consisting  of  material  and  supplies 
needed  at  Mather  Field  for  the  Maneuvers,  and  the  purpose  of  the  flights  was 
to  determine  the  dependability  of  the  Transport  in  ferrying  supplies. 

Rockwell  Field’s  quota  of  planes  for  the  Maneuvers  consists  cf  22  pursuit 
planes  from  the  95th  Pursuit  Squadron  and  four  Bombers  from  the  11th  Bombard- 
ment Squadron,  all  under  the  command  cf  Major  Carl  Spatz,  Group  Commander.. 

~ 124  - V-6002,A.C. 


The  planes  and  commissioned  and  enlisted  personnel  left  Rockwell  Field 
early  March  29th,  for  Mather,  in  order  to  -participate  in  Combined  Air  Corps 
Field  Exercises.  Rockwell  Field  has  Supplied  a total  of  47  enlisted  men  for 
these  Exercises. 

Mr.  Edward  G-.  Luptcn,  Supt . of  the  Aero  Re-pair,  and  Messrs.  Louis  Hynding 
and  James  S.  Krull,  also  of  the  Aero  Repair,  Rockwell  Air  Depot,  left  March  11th 
for  Buffalo,  Hew  York,  on  temporary  duty,  reporting  to  the  Air  Corps  Represen- 
tative at  the  factory  of  the  The  mas -Morse  Aircraft  Corporation  for  a course  of 
instruction  in  the  construction  and  maintenance  of  0-19  type  airplanes  "being 
purchased  on  Air  Corps  contract %. 


125  - 


V-6C02,A.C. 


"i 


VOL.  XIV 


MAY  13,  1930 


NO.  8 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 
cOo 

■ : Page 

TJhe.  Air Corps  Exercises  at  Mather  Field 125  - 129 

Corpb  Area  Maneuvers  in  Texas 129 

Attackers  Return  from  Field  Exercises . . . 129 

Joint  Army  and  Navy  Maneuvers  in  Connecticut 129 

Fasjt  Transcontinental  Flying  ..................  . 130 

Higji  Winds  Aloft  ' '.,  . . ......  . ...  . . ...  . . yyv  .■■■•■  130 

Student  Officers  Complete  Course  in  Maintenance  Engineering.  . . . 131 

Mitchel  Field  AirmerirGo  to  War  in  Private  Gars  , ...  . ...  . .<  . . 131 

Army  pilot  to  Demonstrate  American  Planes  in  Europe."  . . . ....  131 

Mitchel  Fiel'd  Firemen  Extinguish  Blaze  in  Short  Order.  131  - 132 

Colorado  National  Guard  Airmen  Make  Good  Use  of  F.adio . 132 

Bees  Launch  Attack  Against  an -Attack  Plane  . . . . . . . .r;^r-  ._.  . 132 

And:  Still  They  Jump . ...  . . r -i33  - 134 

Promotion  of  Air  Corps  Enlisted-Men.  . . . ■ 134 

His  First  and  His  Last 134 

Assistant  Secretary  of  War  for  Air  Sums  Up  Results  of  Air  Corps 

Maneuvers.  135 

Air  to  Ground  Communication  via  Radio -Photo  Process 135  - 135 

Aerial  Survey  . of  Tarkcd  Automobiles  in  Washington 136  - 137 

Captain  Stevens  Establishes  a New  Record  in  Long  Distance  Aerial 

Photography.  . i .' y 137 

Air  Corps  -Float  Wins  Admiration 138 

Air  Corps  Jns^ritctcr  Flies  to  the  Mexican  Capital 138 

Muskcgeef -Completes  Municipal  Airport 138 

In  Agadhr  '^ut "Again,  In  Again  ...Egan 138  - 139 

Communications  Course  Students  perform  Many  Radio  Missions  ....  139 

Fly  Together  in  Same  Plane  after  Lapse  of  Twenty  Years  . . ...  . 139 

State  of  Illinois  .Photographed 140 

Army  Flyers  Escort  Transcontinental  Glider  Flyer  140 

Large  Class  to  Graduate  from  Advanced  Flying  School 140 

Liberty  Engines- Apparently  Dislike  the  Philippine  Climate 140 

War  ^Department  Orders  Affecting  Air  Corps  Officers 141  - 142 

Wholesale  Caterpillar  Club  Initiation.  142 

Second  Bombarrbaent'  Group  Returns  Home 143 

And  Now  We  Have  the  Flying  Dog 143 

Annual  Machine  C-un  and  Bombing  Matches 143 

The  Death  of  a Popular  Young  Air  Corps  Officer  144 

"The  Fireflies" 144- 

Notes  from  Air  Corps  Fields 145 


CORPS 


HEWS 


HO.  6 


VOL.  XIV AIR 

Information  Division  ~ Limit ions  Building 

Air  Corns  ; Lay  13,  1930  Washington,  D.C, 

The  chief  ;mnose  of  this  publication.  is  to  distribute  information  on 
aeronautics  to  the  flying  personnel  in  the  Regular  Army,  Reserve  Corps,  national 
Guard,  and  others  connected  with  aviation. 

— -oOo— 

THE  AIR  CORPS  EXERCISES  AT  LATHER  FIELD 

In  a previous  issue  of  the  Hews  Letter,  that  of  March  31st,  there  was  a 
detailed  account  of  the  organizations,  the  home  stations. and  the  Group  and  Unit 
Commanders,  together  with  the  personnel  and  the  home  stations  participating  in 
Air  Corps  Field  Exercises  of  the  Provisional  Wing  at  Mather  Field,  Sacramento, 
Calif.  All  of  these  organisations  flew  in  from  their  home  stations  to  Mather 
Field  from  air  lines  ranging  from  75  miles  in  the  case  of  the  91st  Observation 
Squadron,-  the  home  station  of  which  is  Crissy  Field,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco, 
to  2,500  miles  in  the  case  of  the  2nd  Bombardment  Group  which  flew  in  from 
Langley  Field,  Va. 

The  approach  to  Mather  Field  from  the  South  and  from  the  East  was  one  that 
lifted  the  hearts  of  all  those  making  the  long  trip  by  air.  The  fertile 
valleys  surrounding  Sacramento  in  the  spring  of  the  year,  when  all  groves  and 
orchards  were  in  bloom,  gave  promise  to  the  fliers  of  the  month  of  fine  weather 
which  they  later  enjoyed.  Mather  Field  itself  presented  a surprisingly  good 
appearance,  occupying  as  it  did  the  status  of  a semi-abandoned  station.  The 
excellent  condition  of  the  roads  and  the  good  condition  of  the  war-time  built 
buildings  spoke  for  the  mildness  of  the  California  climate.  This  same  climate 
operated  to  good  advantage  to  the  planes  which  were  staked  out  in  the  open  for 
the  month’s  activities  at  the  field,  for  no  bad  effects  as  a result  of  this 
open  air  parking  have  as  yet  been  noised. 

The  airdrome  itself  was  in  excellent  shape,  presenting  a marked  contrast  to 
many  of  the  air  fields  where  units  landed  while  enroute  to  the  maneuvers.  The 
Mather  Field  airdrome  was  grass-covered,  and  there  was  a minimum  of  dust,  which 
condition  is  so  prevalent  at  the  scene  of  many  aerial  activities.  Ground 
squirrels,  which  had  previously  infested  the  borders  of  the  field,  had  been 
eliminated  through  the  activity  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  and  Technical 
Sergeant  Olsh,  the  enlisted  caretaker  of  the  field. 

The  buildings  and  other  equipment  had  been  put  into  shape  through  the  un- 
tiring efforts  of  members  of  the  91st  Observation  Squadron,  Crissy  Field,  under 
the  command  of  Captain  Walter  F.  Kraus.  During  its  entire  stay  at  Mather  Field, 
the  Wing  only  experienced  one  rainy  day,  but, since  this  particular  day  had 
been  previously  set  aside  as  Maintenance  Day,  no  flying  time  was  lost.  There 
was  one  period  - on  a Sunday  afternoon  - during  which  very  high  winds  prevailed. 
There  was  little  cause  for  worry, .however,  as  every  plane  was  staked  down,  and 
the  sentries  on  post  were  duly  vigilant  to  detect  any  ill  effects  of  the  wind- 
storm. Motors  were  changed  in  the  open  and,  in  fact,  practically  all  the  main- 
tenance and  inspection  work  was  done  right  where  the  planes  were  parked,  it 
being  very  unusual  to  see  any  planes  taken  into  the  hangar  except  for  major 
items  of  maintenance  and  adjustment. 

The  Provisional  Wing  was  formed  on  April  1st.  Being  limited  in  size,  the 
United  States  Army  Air  Corps  has  no  active  Wing,  that  is,  no  active  combination 
of  Bombardment  and  Pursuit  Grou-ps,  for  instance,  into  a Bombardment  Wing. 

The  highest  active  organizations  in  our  Air  Corps  are  the  Grouips.  Upon  the 
concentration  of  several  Groups  of  various  functions  at  Mather  Field,  there  was 
thus  effected  the  Wing,  called  in  this  instance  "The  Provisional  Wing,"  due  to 
its  temporary  character. 

As  has  been  previously  outlined,1  the  concentration  at  Mather  Field  was  not 
a maneuver  but  a "Field  Exercise,"  the  purposes  being  - 

1.  To  afford  training,  both  combined  and  individual. 

2.  To  test  equipment  under  field  conditions. 

3.  To  test  tactical  theories  and  ideas,  both  old  and  new. 

4.  To  afford  interchange  of  ideas  in  the  concentration  of  officers  of  the 
Air  Corps  and  observers  of  other  branches  of  all  ranks  and  of  varied  military 
experience  at  one  central  -point. 


-126- 


Y-6007,  A. C. 


She  results  of  the  Exercises  were  excellent.  It  is  considered  unwise  at 
this  time  to  reveal  some  of  the  important  hits  of  knowledge  gained  during  the 
month  of  April  at  Mather  Field.  One  outstanding' example, which  engaged  the  inter- 
est of  the.  military  personnel,  and  evoked  comment  from  the  newspaper  men  and  the 
. public,  at  the  time,  was  the  condensation  of  moisture  from  the  exhaust  of  the 
Pursuit  planes  flying  in  the  low  temperatures  and  rarified  air  at  high  altitudes. 
This  occurred  during  the  high  altitude  flight  at  28,000  feet  of  the  95th  Pursuit 
Squadron  in  squadron  formation.  The  phenomenon  was  often  previously  witnessed 
from  the  ground.  It  resembles  a streak  of  white  vapor  like  a skywriting  adver- 
tisement. Such  streaks,  however,  when  multiplied  by  the  presence  of  an. entire 
squadron  of  Pursuit  planes  in  the  sky,  render  these  planes  quite  obvious  to  anti- 
aircraft on  the  ground  and  to  enemy  planes  in  the  sky.  The  remedy,  however,  is 
quite  simple  - the  installation  of  condensers  on  exhaust  lines  similar  to  those 
. which  are  already  installed  on  motors  of  dirigible  airship's . 

The  work  of  the  Wing  was  divided  into  four  phases.  The  first  phase  was  de- 
voted to  training,  of  the  elements  within  the  various  Groups,  such  as  Pursuit, 
Bombardment , Attack  and  Observation.  This  involved  training  in  airdrome  dis- 
cipline, including  traffic  problems,  such  as  practice  take-offs  and  landings, 
with  a view  to  perfect  cooperation  of  combined  units  in  congested  areas.  With 
a total  of  more  than  ISO  planes  on  one  field,  all  elements  must  of  necessity 
be  very  accurate,  not  only  for  the  success  of  tactical  operations  but  for  general 
safety  as  well. 

The  second  phase  was  devoted  to  tactical  problems,  involving  each  type  of 
aviation  and  including  practical  tests  of  any  proposed  and  untried  tactics  which 
were  evolved  from  previous  exercises  and' maneuvers.  These  problems  were  separate 
for  each  type  of  aviation.  During;  this  phase  methods  of  radio  communication  were 
tested  not  alone  between  planes  and  the  ground,  but  between  planes  in  the  air, 
between  planes  in  the  same  Groups,  and  planes  in  other  types  of  aviation. 

The  third  phase  was  the  use  of  military  aviation  in  coast  defense.  The  prob- 
lems in  this  phase  consisted  of -attack  against  enemy  ground  troops  marching  up 
from  the  south,  also  the  defense,  of  the  Golden  Gate  against  an  enemy  fleet 
equipped  with  aircraft'  carriers.  -; 

The  fourth  phase,  was  one.  interlarded  with  others.  - It  consisted  of  what  might 
be  called  aerial  demonstrations , both  for  the  benefit  of  those  in  the  military 
service  and  the  public,  in  general.  ■■  Some  of  the  finest ' bits  of.,  flying  and  some 
of  the  finest  examples  of  air  discipline  were  shown  during  these  aerial  reviews 
and  demonstrations.  Lac!.:  of  space  at  this  time  prohibits  a detailed  account  of 
all  activities  from  day  to.  day.  The-. Groups  participating  demonstrated  that  their, 
training  at  their  home  stations  ha$-.b$'en  to  good  avail.  Their  own  air  training 
and  air  discipline  were  practically  perfect^,  and' each  type  of  aviation  well  un- 
derstood the  work  and  duties  required- of  it. 

Personnel,  both  flying  and  mechanical,  were  well  trained  far  above  the  re- 
quirements of  their  ranks  and  grades*  Whereas  organization  tables  call  for. Majors 
to  command  squadrons,  the  highest . ranking.1  squadron  commander  was  a Captain,  with 
1st  Lieutenants  also  serving  in  this  capacity  in  some  squadrons.  Similarly  in 
other  duties,  positions  were  in  most  cases  filled  by  officers  far  below  the  rank 
ordinarily  expected.  This  situation,:  however,  had  no  effect  on  the  results  ob- 
tained, no  more  than  had  the  skeletonized  plane- strength  of  the  organizations  any 
effect  on  their  air  effectiveness  or  the  lack  of  mechanics  on  airplane  and 
engine  performance.  • 

Two  things  impressed  the. participants  in  the  air  exercises  as  being,  particu- 
larly gratifying  and  in  making,  them  feel,  .that  their  efforts  were  being  appreciat- 
ed and  their  problems  -understood  by  the- public.  The  first  was. -the  able  way  in 
which  the  Sacramento  Chamber  of- Commerce  and  the  local  civil  clubs  assisted  the 
21st  Observation  Squadron  in  the  work  of  preparing  for  the  stay  of  the  Air  Gorps 
personnel  at  Mather  Field,  and  in  the  way  in  which  the  people  of  Sacramento  pre- 
pared the  city  for  the  after-duty  social  activities  of  the  Air  "Corps  visiting 
personnel . 

Wing  Headquarters  was  liberally  furnished  with  office  furniture,  and  the 
offices  peopled  with  clerks  and  stenographers  furnished  by  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce and  kindred  organizations,  thanks  to  the  personal  interest  .of  Mr.  Carl  Lamus-, 
President  of  the  Sacramento  Chamber; .'.of ' Commerce,  and-  to  Mr,.  Arthur  S.  Dudley,  its 
Secretary.  Staff  and  unit  commanders  were  furnished  cars  by  various  automobile 
dealers  to  facilitate  both  their  official  and  -personal  travel.  Sacramento  liter- 
ally held  open  house  for  the  visiting  fliers.  In  short,  public  relations  were 
perfect.  Tnis  cordiality  to  the  visiting  airmen  was  also  paralleled  by  the 
Chanbeis  of  Commerce  of  San  Francisco,  Los  Angeles  and  San  Diego  on  the  visit  of 

-127-  V-S007,  A. C. 


the  Wing  to  these  places. 

Another  source  of  gratification  was  the  intelligent  interest  taken  by  the 
public  in  the  work  of  the  Air  Corps.  This  was  -manifested  in  one  way  hy  a demand 
for  Air  Corps  officers  to  speak  at  luncheons  and  dinners  of  the  various  organi- 
zations at  Sacramento'  and  vicinity. ' Members  of  Chambers  of  Commerce,  Hotary 
Clubs,  Lions  Clubs.,  local  chapters  of  the  national  Aeronautic  Association, 
engineering  bodies  and  the  like,  all  made  requests  to  have  qualified  officers 
speak  at  their  regular  meetings.  Forty-five  speeches  were  thus  made.  Most 
active  among  those  who  interpreted  the  Air  Corps  work  for  members,  of  these  clubs 
were  General  Wm.  E.  Gdllmore,  Lieut. -Colonel  Frank  M.  Andrews , Majors  Horace  M. 
Hickam,  Henry  H.  Arnold,  Thomas  DeW.  Milling,  Carl  Spatz , Captain  H.M. McClelland, 
Lieutenants  J,  Whiteley,  Roland  R,  Birnn,  R.  W.  Bowman,  W.A.R.  Robertson  and 
S.J.  Simonton. 

On  Saturday,  April  12th,  the  Provisional  Wing  participated  for  several 
hours  in  the  dedication  of  Sacramento’s  new  municipal  airport,  a few  miles  south- 
west of  the  city. 

On  Saturday,  April  19th,  the  Wing  gave  an  aerial  demonstration  for  several 
hours  at  Mills  Field,  San  Francisco.  More  than  125,000  people  visited  that 
field  on  this  occasion.  Perhaps  75,000  more  witnessed  the  review  from  points 
.outside  the  airport  . Particulars  of  the  aerial  activity  were  broadcast  to  the 
crowd  through  a public  address  system  and,  for  the  benefit  of  the  unfortunate 
stay-at-homes,  through  a local  radio  station. 

On  the.  afternoon  of  April  22nd,  upon  the  termination  of  an  aerial  review 
held  for  Major-General  James  E.  Fechet , .Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  who  was  visiting 
the  Wing,  an  aerial  demonstration  was  put  on  for  the  benefit  of  the  people  of 
'Sacramento  and  vicinity  This  returned,  in  a measure,  the  official  and  personal 
hospitality  shown  the  members  of  the  Wing  by  these  same  people  of  Sacramento  dur- 
ing the  stay  of  the  Wing  at  Mather  Field.  It  was  during  this  Exhibition  that 
Lieut.,  Irvin,  A.  Woodring,  engaged  in  mimic  combat  with  Captain  Elmendorf , was 
forced  to  make  a "Caterpillar  Descent"  when  something  let  loose  in  his  F-12-B 
Pursuit  plane  at  150  feet  altitude.. 

These  aerial  demonstrations  all  took  about  the  same  form;  1st,  the  Wing 
passed  in  review  by  groups  and  then  in  solid  wing  formation.  Following  this, 
each  Group  put  on  a ten-minute  demonstration  of  its  own  particular  battle  forma- 
tions, terminating  in  various  kinds  of  attacks  on  Attack  -planes  and  Bombers  by 
the  Pur  suiters.  Then  came  a ten  minute  "dog  fight"  between  two  Pur  suiters,  a 
ten-minute  -period  of  individual  acrobatics,  ten  minutes  of  balloon  bursting  by  a 
Pursuit  plane  and  the  finale  of  a smoke  screen  laid  by  a Pursuit  -plane  and  a 
•smoke  curtain  laid  by  a Bomber. . Upon  the  termination  of  aerial  activities,  the 
ling  would  land  by  squadrons. 

On  April  24th  the  Wing  participated  in  the  aerial  defense  of  Golden  Gate 
and  San  Francisco  Harbor  against  an  invading  enemy  fleet  equipped  with  aircraft 
carriers.  It  was  during  this  aerial  defense  that  the-  Curtiss  Condor  B-2  Bomber, 
piloted  by  the  mechanical  pilot,  put  out  to  sea,  performed  its  mission  and  return- 
ed through  the  agency  of  this  mechanical  hand  upon  its  controls. 

A detailed  account  of  every  phase  of  the  maneuvers  was  -put  on  over  two 
major  broadcasting  systems,  both  from  the  ground  end  from  planes  hovering  about 
the  outskirts  of  the  aerial  defenders.  From  one  such  plane , Herbert  Hoover, Jr. , 
son  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  handled  the  microphone.  He  was  assis- 
ted in  his  work  by  ".Sex"  Frolich,  who  handled  the  microphone  on  the  ground.  For 
one  hour  the  radio-using  public  of  the  United  States  were  given  a detailed  and  at 
times  a very  exciting  description  of  the  operation  of  an  air  force  against  an 
enemy. 

On  the  following  day  the  Provisional  Wing  departed  from  Mather  Field  for 
March  Field  and  the  United  Airport  at  Burbank,  Calif. , leaving  behind  the  mem- 
bers of  the  91s.t  Observation  Squadron  and  the  15th  Photo  Section.  The  latter 
organization  up  to  that’  date  had  turned  out  20,000  photographic  prints  of  aerial 
activities  of  the  Wing  which  were  distributed  to  the  press.  Even  this  large 
number  hardly  satisfied  their  demands  for  more,  and  still  more,  photographs  for 
•publication.  The  91st  Squadron  was  charged  with  the  mopping  up  of  the  field 
and  informing  questioners  that  the  Wing  had  departed  for  the  South. 

A flight  of  five  Bombers  and  three  Observation  planes,  piloted  by  members 
of  the  Staff,  flew  directly  to  Burbank , Calif.  These  three  0-1-E’s  were  each 
illuminated  by  vari-co lored  electric  lights'  strung  underneath  the  wings.  On 
the  evening  of  their  arrival  they  were  flown  over  Los  Angeles  and  vicinity  in  a 
tight  formation,  the  pilots  switching  the  various  colored  lights  off  and  on  in 
unison,  ■ " -128-  V-6007,  A.C. 


This  flight,  called  by  the  -press  the  "Fireflies,”  had  previously  made 
several  night  flights  with  their  illuminated  planes  over  Sacramento  and  the 
Bay  regions  near  San  Francisco,  one  such  night  cross-country  "being  two  and  one- 
half  hours  in  duration.  Following  the  "Fireflies,"  the  flight  of  Keystone 
L3-7*s  put  on  a simulated  "bombing  raid  over  los  Angeles  and  its  adjacent  cities,  i 

The  following  day,  Saturday,  the  rest  of  the  Wing  flew  in  from  March  Field, 
where  they  had  spent  the  night.  That  afternoon  the  usual  aerial  demons t rat i on  1 
was  staged  at  the  United  Airport.  While  there,  the  Wing  was  the  guest  of  the 
Los  Angeles  Chamber  of  Commerce . 

On  Saturday,  April  27th,  the  Wing  departed  from  Burbank,  rendezvoused  over 
Oceanside,  and  flew  its  last  review  for  General  Gillmore,  Wing  Commander,  and 
the  people  of  San  Diego,  over  Rockwell  Field. 

Upon  the  termination  of  the  review,  the  Wing  was  disbanded. 

0O0 

CORPS  AREA  MANEUVERS  I IT  TEXAS 

The  Eighth  Corps  Area  maneuvers,  in  progress  at  this  writing,  began  on 
May  5th  and  are  scheduled  to  end  on  the  15th  of  this  month.  The  Air  Corps 
Advanced  Flying  School  at  Kelly  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  furnished  a provi- 
sional observation  squadron  to  the  White  Forces.  The  troops  of  the  Second 
Division,  located  at  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas,  comprised  the  Blue  Forces,  while 
the  Cavalry  located  in  the  southeastern  portion  of  Texas  meke  up  the  White 
Forces.  The  12th  Observation  Squadron  is  assigned  to  the  Blue  Forces,  and  one 
squadron  of  Attack  aviation  is  on  each  side. 

The  maneuver  ground  is  the  area  between  the  Frio  and  Nueces  Rivers  on  the 

■ east  of  the  I.  & G.N.  Railway.  The  Advanced  Flying  School  furnished  eleven 
planes,  the  pilots  and  observers  being  students  of  the  Observation  Section. 

Lieut.  J.A.  Moll is on  was  designated  as  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  White 
Observation  squadron;  Lieut.  O.P.  'eyland  as  Operations  Officer;  Lieut.  W.D. 

Olds,  Communications  Officer,  and  Lieut.  C.I.  Ferris,  Engineering  Officer. 

The  vicinity  of  Encinal , Texas,  was  designated  as  the  base  of  operations 
of  the  White  squadron,  with- the  quarters  of  the  personnel  near  the  airdrome. 

■ Chief  air  umpires  on  each  side  are  Captains  W.S.  Gravely  and  E.  H.  DeFord,  both 
from  Kelly  Field. 

— oOo — - 

ATTACKERS  RETURN  FROM  FIELD  EXERCISES 

The  pilots  and  planes  of  the  Third  Attack  Group  participating  in  the  Air 
Corps  Field  Exercises  at  Mather  Field,  Sacramento,  Calif.,  returned  to  Fort 
'Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas,  on  April  30th.  The  men  were  all  tired  from  the 
long  grind  and,,  although  they  were  glad  to  be  back  home,  they  had  nothing  but 
praise  for  the  people  they  had  come  in  contact  with.  Each  pilot  added  about  a 
hundred  hours  onto  his  log. 

On  Friday,  May  1st,  a convoy  of  about  40  motor  trucks,  with  235. enlisted 
, men  and  eight  officers,  left  Fort  Crockett  for  San  Antonio,  Texas,  to 'prepare 
:for  the  maneuvers  slated  to  be  held  in  the  Nueces  Valley.  Plans  for  the  parti- 
cipation of  the  Third  Attack  Group  in  these  maneuvers  ; contemplated  25.  Attack 
planes,  under  the  command  of  Major  Davenport  Johnson,  leaving  on  May  4th  for 
points  in  the  Valley,  where  they  will  also  participate  in  the  maneuvers.  The 
90th  Attack  Squadron  was  to  be  attached  to  the  Blue  Forces,  located  at  San 
Antonio,  and  the  8th  Attack  Squadron  to  the  White  Forces  located  near  Laredo, 
Texas . 

oOo — — 

JOINT  ARMY  AND  DAVY  MANEUVERS.  IN  CONNECTICUT 

Request  was  made  by  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  for  the  publication  of  orders 
by  the  War  Department  for  18  officers  in  9 Bombardment  planes  from  Langley  Field, 
Va. , and  20  officers  in  18  Pursuit  and  2 Transport  planes  from  Selfridge  Field, 

'Mt . Clemens,-  Michigan,  to  take  part  in  the  Minor  Joint  Army  and  Navy  Maneuvers, 
to  be  held  at  Groton,  Conn. , May  24th  to  28th,  next. 

-129"  V~6Q07,/A.C. 


,i 


FAST  TRAIT  S C ONT  I HEMAL  FLYING  

Having,  flown  out  to-  Mather,;  Field* •••  Sacramento  , Calif.',*"  just  'prior  to  : the 
Air  Corps,  Esercisosi  ancd  being -..affirm  believer.  i:i  the  old’  adage  11  DohUd  ‘start 
anything  you  can’t  finish,"  Maj or- General  Ja^es  E.  Fechet,  Chief  of.  the  Air 
Corps,  again  journeyed  out  to  the  pacific  Coast-  so  as  to  he  on  hand  on  the  clos- 
ing days  of  these  .©ser pises . , ‘ ... 

On  the  second  trip  , however,  General  Fechet  decided  to  inspect  some  of  the 
Air  Corps  activities  on  the  West  Coast,  and  for  that  reason  the  entire  journey 
on  this  occasion  involved  a total  distance  of  7,905  miieiS.- . • . 

Captain  Ira  C.  Eaker,  Air  Corps,  stationed  at  Rolling  .Field,  I.C.,  who 
piloted^the  plane,  computed  the  total  flying  time  as  53  hours  and  25  minutes, 
from  which  it  will  he  observed  that  the  General’s  "Air  Chariot",  which  was 
powered  with  a Series  "3, 11  Hornet  engine,  was  skimming  through  the  ozone  at  an 
average  speed  of  145  miles  per  lioiir. 

There  is  no  denying  the  fact'  that  with  an  airplane  as  a vehicle  of  trans- 
portation one  can  go  places,  and  in  a fraction  of  the  time  it  would  take  through 
the  utilization  of  other  forms  of  transportation,  for  the  flight  to  Mather  Field 
from  Washington,  D.C.,  was  accomplished  in  a day  and  three-quarters. 

From  the  standpoint  of  distance  covered  in  one  day,  the  best  performance 
was  the  flight  from  Washington  to  Amarillo , Texas , on  April  20th,.  the  distance 
of  1730  miles  being  covered  in  a flying  time  of  12  hours  and  45  minutes.  The 
fastest  time  made  during  the  entire  aerial  jaunt  was  from  Fargo,;  N.D. , to 
Washington,  D.C.,  via  Chicago  , 111.,  and  Dayton,  Ohio.  The  distance  of  approxi- 
mately 1300  miles  was  covered  in  a flying  time  of  7 hours  and  20  minutes,  so 
that  the  "Flcctster"  low  wing  monoplane  traveled  at  a s-peed  averaging  almost  180 
miles  an-  hour. 

Several  landings  were  made  on  fields  a mile  high.  . In  climbing  over  the 
Siskiyou  libuntains , between  .Oakland,  Calif.-,  and.  Medford,  Oregon,  Captain"  Faker 
climbed  the  plahe  to  an  .altitude : of., :12,pG0  feet  and  crossed  the  mountain  range 
above  the  clouds.  Baring  this-  flight , the.- eclipse  of  the  sun  was  plainly  ob- 
served. General  Fechet  smoked  the  lens > of  his. goggles  in  order  to  observe  the 
phenomena,  more  clearly. 

The  entire  flight  was  made  .absolutely,  on-, scheduled  time,,  as  previously 
planned,  and  good  weather  prevailed  for  the  most’ part. 

At  Fargo,  IT.  D.  , a .landing,  was-  made:  on  -the,  piunicipal  .ilirport,  which  was 
found  to  be  very  soft,  due  to  a heavy  rain  which  fell  just  after  the  take-off 
at  Butte,  Montana.  Immediately  after,  landing,  -;ip  took  four'  draft  horses  to  move 
the  plane  to  a part  of.  the,  field -where  a take-off  could  be  made. 

After  witnessing  the  Air  Sho w at  Los  Angeles,  General  Fechet  proceeded  to 
Seattle,  Portland,  Spokane,  and  Minneapolis,  in -.-order  to  inspect  the  air  activi- 
ties in  the  extreme  Northwest  which  had-  not  previously  been’  visited  by  him. 

OOO— 

HI  GH  WINDS, , ALOFT 

The  noon  report  of  the  weather  conditions  at  Air  Corps  fields  in  the  East f 
on  May  7th  showed  an  unusual  number  of  stations  having  high  winds  aloft.  In 
such  instances  the  wind  direction  and  its  velocity  are  marked  in  red  chalk  on 
the  weather  board  in  Operations  Offices  .of  the.  various  Air  Corps  stations. 

Pope  Field  at  Camp  Bragg,  N.C.,  shewed  a Southwest  wind  of  97  miles  per 
hour  at  3,000  feet  altitude,  and  Middletown 'Air  Depot,  Penna. , showed  a west 
wind  of  94  miles  per  hour- at  the  .same  altitude. t g Neither  Langley  Field,  Va. , 
nor  Bolling  Field,  D.  C,  y •: -between' -these  two.,  stations , had  any  high  winds  aloft 
during  the  day.  . . r . 

Farther  west,  ScotthField , Belleville,  111.-,  had  a west rwind. of  75.  miles 
per  hour  at  1500  feet  altitude  and,  at;  4,500  feet:  altitude , Chanute  Field, 
Bantoul,  111.,  had  a south  wind  of  S8  miles  .per  oh  our  and  Wright  Field,  Dayton, 
Ohio,  a southwest  wind  of  58  miles  per  hour. 

On  one  day  during' the  month f of .April,  the weather  chart  showed  almost  the 
entire  United  States  as  having  rainy  weather,  while  on  another  day  in  the  same 
month  the  entire  country.fwas  rainless,  with  the,.- greater  part  of  it  enjoying, 
bright  cloudless  skies-. 

::  r . — ^oOo — - \ 

Officer:  "Don’t  point- thav  empty  ■■gun-;  at  -me  J ", 

Guard:  "Pardon,  Sir;  but  this  gu:i  is  Idjaded. " 

-130- 


V-6007, ' A.C. 


STUDENT  OFFICERS  COMPLETE  course  IN  maintenance  engineering 


The  class  of  officers  in  "Airplane  Maint enance  Engineering"  attending  the 
Air  Corps  Technical  School  at  Chanute  Field,  Rantoul,  111.,  completed  the  course 
on  April  15th.  The  la.st  few  days  were  spent  at  the  Materiel  Division,  Wright 
Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  for  the  purpose  of  becoming  familiar  with  the  operations  of 
that  Division  and  to  learn  of  new  developments  in  aircraft. 


The  off i cers  comprising  this  class 
1st  Lieut.  Aubrey  3.  Ballard. 

" Claude  E.  Duncan 

" John  M.  McCulloch 

" Henry  H.  Reily 

" John  f . Warren 


are  enumerated  below,  as  follows: 

2nd  Lieut.  Joseph  H.  Atkinson 
" Leo  W . Desrosiers 

" Ford  L.  Fair 

" Herbert  C.  Lichtenberger 

Captain  Ri char do  Rodas,  Guatemalan  Army 


0O0— — 


MITCHEL  FIELD  AIRMEN  GO  TO  WAR  I IT  PRIVATE  CARS 
Ey  the  Mitchel  Field  Correspondent 

Several  weeks  ago  it  became  necessary  for  one  of  the  squadrons  to  think 
seriously  about  moving  into  the  field  for  its  annual  spring  gunnery  and  bombing 
practice.  Camp  Dix  in  New  Jersey  was  the  place.  The  time  was  set,  the  reason 
was  very  evident,  but  the  "how"  was  the  sticker.  True,  the  planes  could  get 
there  under  their  own  power  and  could  be  fitted  for  gunnery  with  a little  con- 
scientious effort,  but  the  problem  of  getting  the  equipment  and  a hundred  men 
there  was  a horse  of  another  color.  Transportation  and  more  of  it  was  needed. 

The  Transportation  Officer  was  summoned  from  his  lair  and,  together  with 
the  Squadron  Commander,  they  probed  into  the  dim  dark  reaches  of  the  transporta- 
tion hangar.  The  spectacle  which  confronted  them  was  anything  but  appealing.  In 
the  far  corner  were  two  ghostly  relics  which  in  their  heyday  had  been  trim 
Garford  trucks  - wartime  creations  long  since  relegated  to  a niche  in  the  hall 
of  antiques.  True,  they  were  greased  and  polished  and  were  presumed  to  run,  but 
how  far  nobody  knew.  In  another  corner  a radio  track  stood  complacently  await- 
ing a trial  run  but  it,  too,  looked  none  too  sturdy.  The  situation  demanded 
deep  meditation.  The  transportation  of  the  men  was  a serious  question.  Three 
GMC  trucks  were  available  in  a pinch,  but  at  the  best  they  could  carry  only 
half  the  number  scheduled  to  go. 

After  a lengthy  conference,  during  which  everything  from  mules  to  bicycles 
and  roller  skates  were  considered  as  possible  means  of  transportation,  it  was 
finally  decided  that  every  personal  car  in  the  squadron  should  bring  up  the 
rear  of  the  gasping  Ganords  and  thus  deposit  the  men  at  Camp  Dix  in  an  ultra 
fancy  style. 

On  the  fatal  day  of  departure  a spectacle  was  presented  which  resembled 
anything  but  a squadron  moving  into  the  field;  a sight  which  would  make  many  an 
old  salt  turn  over  in  his  grave.  Bringing  up  the  rear  of  the  familiar,  yet 
sadly  depleted  array  of  trucks , was  a string  of  twenty  cars  of  all  sizes , 
descriptions  and  colors  - baby  blue  roadsters,  chrome  yellow  coupes,  maroon 
sedans  - each  stuffed  to  capacity  with  the  familiar  khaki.  More  closely  did  it 
resemble  the  start  of  a Kiwanis  picnic  that  an  Army  convoy. 

0O0 


ARMY  PILOT  TO  DEMONSTRATE  AMERICAN  PLANES  IN  EUROPE 


Captain  John  K.  ("Joe")  Cannon,  Senior  Instructor  in  Pursuit  Training  at 
the  Air  Corps  Advanced  Flying  School,  Kelly  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  recently 
sailed  for  Europe,  where  he  will  spend  four  months  demonstrating  Curtiss  military 
airplanes.  He  will  be  one  of  a group  of  pilots  assembled  by  the  Curtiss  Company 
for  this  work.  Lieut.  James  H.  Doolittle,  formerly  one  of  the  Army’s  most  wide- 
ly known  pilots,  and  Lieut.  James  Parker,  of  Wright  Field,  are  the  other  pilots. 

0O0 

MITCHEL  FIELD  FIREMEN  EXTINGUISH  BLAZE  IN  SHORT  ORDER' 

A bird  whose  name  doesn’t  matter,  says  the  Mitchel  Field  Correspondent , was 
daintily  mopping  the  floor  in  one  of  the  hangar  boiler  rooms  with  high  test 
gas  trying  to  clean  up  some  splotches  that  sLopped  oil  had  left  when,  for  some 
unknown  reason,  the  whole  mess  burst  into  flames.  This  was  made  still  more  un- 
explainable by  the  fact  that  the  boy  was  cold  and  had  left  the  boiler  door  open 

-131-  V-6007,  A.  C, 


in  order  that  the  heat  might  radiate  throughout. 

■When  he  found  that  his  escape  was  blocked  by  the  flames  he  yelled  "Fire l" 
in  Yiddish V Scandinavian,  and  a few  more  of  his  native  tongues.  Then  he  shoved 
both  fists  through  a door  which  led  into  the  hangar,  the  only  other  avenue  of 
escape.  An  emergency  crew  whiffed  the  smoke,  divined  that  his  yelps  meant 
"fire,"  and  by  the  time  he  had  butted  his  head  through  the  locked  door  they  had 
succeeded  in  hauling  four  ships  to  safety  in  record  time.  The  intrewid  firemen 
then  arrived  upon  the  scene  and  the  fire  was  put  out  in  short  order  with  no 
damage  done  to  either  the  ships  or  the  hangar. 

0000O0000 


COLORADO  NATIONAL  GUARD  AIR  MEET  MAKE  GOOD  USE  OF  RADIO 

Early  in  the  Spring  Lieut.  LaGue  and  Sergeant  Williams,  of  the  120th  Ob- 
servation Squadron,  Colorado  Rational  Guard,  Denver,'  Colo.,  flew  cross-country 
to  Laramie,  Wyoming,  to  test  the  radio  equipment.  Later  Lieut.  LaGue  and 
Sergeant  Schirk  flew  to  Eads,  Colorado,  154  miles  from  Lowry  Field,  Denver,  and 
kept  up  two-way  telephone  communication  with  Lieut.  Junk  in  Denver. 

The  latter- trip  was  the  more  interesting  and  successful.  Reception  was 
so  good  that  Lieut.  Junk  on  Lowry  Field  was  able  to  hear  the  antenna  being 
reeled  in  preparatory  to'  landing- at  Eads..  From  Eads  Lieut. -.LaGue  and  Sergeant 
Schirk  flew  to  Las  Animas  aiid,  for  a time,  listened  to.  various  broadcasts  from 
Denver,  Colorado  Springs  and  Pueblo.  On  the  return  trip,  one  of  the  greatest 
advantages  of  radio  was  demonstrated  when  the  flyers  encountered  a snow  storm 
near  Limon,  85  miles  from  Denver.  'They  immediately  called  Lieut.  Junk,  who 
was  able  to  assure  them  that  they  would  have  plenty  of  ceiling  and  clear  weather 
when  they  reached  Denver.  Where  the  sensible  thing  to  do  under  other  circum- 
stances would  have  been  to  sit  down,  they  were  able  to  fly  through  the  few 
miles  of  tough  weather,  keeping  Lieut.  Junk  informed  of  their  progress. 

Shortly  after  leaving  Limon  they  were  able  to  rewort  to  him  that  they  had  found 
clear  weather.  Luring  the  communication  necessary  in  this  instance,  both  code 
and  voice  were  used. 

In  addition  to  the  regular  radio  eauiwment  on  this  trip,  there  was  inter- 
phone communication  between  pilot  and  observer. 

oOo 

BEES  LAUNCH  ATTACK  AGAINST  AIT  ATTACK  PLAITS 


On  one  morning  during  the  Air  Corps  Exercises  at  Mather  Field,  Sacramento, 
Calif. , an  attack  plane  of  the  "Blue"  Army  was  captured  by  an  invading  army  of 
busy  bees.  When  Lieut.  S.J.  Simonton  went  out  to  his  ship  he  found  hundreds  of 
the  insects  had  settled  on  one  of  the  lower  wings.  The  wing  tip  was  literally 
black  with  the ■■  stingers,  and  a curtain  of  them  hung  down  almost  to  the  ground. 

. What  to  do  was  the  question,  but  a solution  was  not  long-, in-  forthcoming. 
Captain  Lotlia  A.  Smith,  Commanding  the  8th  Attack  Squadron,  taxied  his  airplane 
directly  in  front  of  the  beleaguered  plane  and,  setting  the  brakes , gave -the 
bees  the  benefit  of  a 150-mile-an-hour' gale.  The  breeze  from  the  whirling 
propeller  scattered  the  bees  all  over  Mather  Field.  ■; 

According  to  reports',  when  Lieut.  Simonton  returned  from  his  flight  .with 
the  squadron,,  some  three  hours  later,  and  taxied  back  to  his  parking:  place,  the 
entire  swarm  was  there  to  greet  their  papa.  A few  seconds  after  the  .plane,  was 
in  place  the  entire  swarm  had  taken  up  their  home  again  under  .the  stabilizer 
on  the  tail  of  the  ship. 

Lieut.  Simonton  thought  that  was  carrying  a joke  a littlegtoo  far.,  so  he 
consulted  with  the  authorities  and,  after  a caucus,  it  was-  decided  to  send  to 
Sacramento  for  a bee  expert.  Alf  Erickson,  who  knows  all  the  bees  in  Sacramento 
county  by  their  first  names,  volunteered  his  services.  The  bees  followed  him 
bade  to  Sacramento  in  a quite  docile  manner,  and  the  queen  bee  herself  blushed 
with  embarrassment  at  the  proper  scolding  Alf  delivered  to  her. 

No  harm  was  done,  except  that  Lieut.  Simonton' s name  was  immediately 
changed  to  "Honey  BOy, " by  which  pseudonym  the  Army  will  henceforth  know  him. 

A photograph  showing  the  bees  swarming  on  the  wing  was  received  in  the  Informa- 
tion Division.  Why  the  bees  singled  out  this  particular  airplane  for  their 
concerted  attack  no  one  seems  to  know,  but  the  chances  are  that  some  wag,  or  a 
•"spy"  in  the  employ  of  the  "Red"  Army  conceived  the  idea  of  nutting  one  of  the 
planes  out  of  the  running  by  smearing  honey  or  molasses  on  the  wing. 


-152- 


7-6007,  A. C. 


41©  STILL  THEY  JUMP 

At  the  risk  of  having  things  thrown  in  this  direction,  it  is  nevertheless 
deemed  fitting; to  Remark'  once  more  that  the  Caterpillar  Club  is  increasing  by 
leap 6 o'  Only  ae'"far  hack  as  the  last  issue  of  the  Hens  Letter,  it  was  stated  that! 
the  memhership  mythical  organization  had  increased  to  214,  with  a total  ; 

of  223pemergency  .jumps/  Hi thin  the  space  of  a few  weeks  eleven  new  members,  as  j 
"far  as  is. known,  have  joined  the.  Cluh,  and  one  member,  Mr.  Harry  Sie vers,  Air  Mai 
Pilot,  joined  the  ranks  of  those  holding  second- degrees. 

Delving  into  the  records  of  the  Caterpillar  Cluh,  it  has  come  to  light  that 
one  other  member,  Mr.  Ernest  E.  Dryer,  is  also  entitled  to  a second  degree  rating 
This  gentleman  claims  that  in  November , 122.7,-  in  Hew  Mexico,  he  made  an  emergency' 
jump  when  a wing  came  off  an  OX- 5 Standard  plane  during  a test  flight,  and  that 
. the  same  thing  happened  several  months  later,,  in  February , 1928,  at  Ypsilanti, 
Michigan,  when'  stunting  a Waco-9  plane-. 

At  this  writing,  therefore,  there  are  recorded  in  the  Golden  Book  of  the 
Caterpillar , Club  a total  of  225  names  and  236  jumps,  the  repeaters  being  Colonel 
Charles  A.  Lindbergh  with  four  jumps,  Major  James  Rutledge,  Lieuts.  Eugene  H. 
Barksdale  (deceased),  James  T.  Hutchison,  Caiptain  Frank  O’D.  Hunter,  Sergeant 
Fred  P.  Millet,  Messrs.  A1  Wilson,  Harry  Seivers  and  Ernest  E.  Dryer  with  two 
jumps  each. 

A new  record  in  ' the  annals  of  the  Club  was  created  on  May  2nd,  when  six 
candidates  were  simultaneously  initiated.  This  rather  unusual  event  took  place 
some  ten  miles  south  of  Fresno,  Calif.  Lieut.  Warren  A.  Maxwell , Air  Corps,  of 
March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif.,  with  seven  enlisted  men  as  passengers,  was  fly- 
ing a Transport  .plane  and  cruising  along  at  an  altitude  of  2,000  feet  when  the 
propeller  of  the  right  wing  motor  was  shattered.  A piece  of  the  broken  propel- 
ler tore  a gaping  hole  in  the  wing  surface . According  to  -press  reports , Lieut. 
Maxwell  ordered  the  men  to  jump,  and  all  but  one  did  so  from  an  altitude  of 
about  1200  feet  and  reached  the  ground  safely.  Staff  Sergeant  J.  H.  Arthur  appa- 
rently chose  to  remain  with  the  ship,  and  he  watched  Lieut.  Maxwell  bring  the 
crippled  Transport  down  in  a semi- crash  landing,  from  which  both  miraculously 
escaped  without  injury.  Ho  official  report  covering  this  accident  has  thus  far 
been  received. 

Caterpillar  Club  members  and  others  interested  may  be  pleased'  to  learn  that 
Don  Glassman,  a special  feature  writer,  lias  published  a book,  entitled  JUMP,  in 
which  the  experiences  of  the  various . members  of. this  mythical  organization  are 
handled  in  an  entertaining  manner.  The  origin  and  development  of  the  parachute 
are  also  covered. 

Details  covering  the  emergency  jumps  of  a few  of  the  recently  initiated 
candidates  are  given  below,  as  follows:  ' 

FRANK  I.  SPANGLER,  Flying  Cadet,  Air  Corps,  on  the  morning  of  April  10th,  was 

flying  a PT-3  plane  at  March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif. , on  his  ; 
first  solo  "hop.”  "I .'was,  practicing  landings,"  Cadet  Spangler  stated,  "when  I 
pancaked  in  from  about  30  feet,  bending  a 1 Y*  strut  and  crushing -a  wheel  up 
under  the  fuselage.  1 took 'off  on  the  bounce  and  started  around  again  when  I 
saw  something' was  wrong,  and  an  officer  in  another  ship  signalled. me  that  my 
landing  gear  was  smashed  and  I understood  that  he  wanted  me  to  jump.  So  I 
climbed  to  2,000  feet  and  jumped  out,  landing  on  March  Field  about  l/4  mile  from  i 
the  ship. 

"I  experienced  no  sensation  of  motion  after  leaving  the  ship  and  fell  about  I 
500  feet  before  I finally  got  the  rip-cord  pulled.  The  parachute;  .opened,  jerkind 
me  to  an  upright  position  with  considerable  force.  ' No  ill  effects  from  the  jump., 

I.  A.  UOODRING,  Lieut.,  Air  Corps,  on  April  23rd.,  at  Mather  Field,  Sacramento, 
Calif.,  had  been  "dog  fighting""  with  Captain  H.M.  Elmendorf, 
Commanding  Officer  of  the  9,5  th  Pursuit  Sguadron’,  Rockwell  Field,  as  a 'part  of 
the  -program  arranged  in  honor  of  the  citizens  of ' Sacramento , when  he  was  seen 
to  shoot  out  of  his  ship.  According  to  press  reports,  he  fell  a hundred  feet 
or  more  and  then  his  parachute  opened  and  he  drifted  to  the  landing  field.  The 
accident  occurred  in  full  view  of  thousands  of spectators  drawn  to  the  field  to 
see  the  last  review  and  aerial  demons -c  rat  ion  staged  at  Sacramento  during  the 
maneuvers. 

Lieut.  Uoodring,  it  was  stated,  was  unable t p explain -what  had  happened.  He 
had  just  put  the  ship  through  a severe  series  of  stunts  in  his  mimic  combat  with 

-133-  Y-6007,  A.C. 


Captain  Elmendorf.  He  admitted  the  possibility  his  life-  belt  broke  while  he  was 
on  an  outside  turn  and  that  he  had  been  hurled  from  the  ship.  It  was  Lieut. 
Woodring's  first  emergency  jump,  although  he  has  been  considered  the  army's  lead- 
ing aerial  acrobat  for  a number  of  years.  He  stood  beside  the  wreck  of  his 
plane,  frankly  rather  dazed  but  smiling. 

"I  don't  care  to  do  that  again,"  he  said.  "I  can  remember  fumbling  around 
for  my  -parachute  ring  and  then,  boy,  how  I pulled  her.  I don't  know  just  what 
havrponed.  The  plane  didn't  seem  to  work  and  a minute  later  I passed  the  prop  1- 
ler.  Eight  then  I began  to  reach  for  my  parachute  ring." 

HENRY  J.  BROWN,  Air  Mail  pilot,  was  flying  the  night  mail  from  Cleveland  to 

Hew  York  and  was  only  a few  miles  west  of  the  foothills  of  the 
Allegheny  Mountains  when  the  motor  of  his  plane  stalled. 

The  pilot  was  flying  at  an  altitude  of  about  3,000  feet  when  he  attempted 
to  transfer  his  gasoline  supply  from  the  left  wing  tank  to  the  right  wing  con- 
tainer so  as  to  equalize  the  plane's  balance.  The  gasoline  in  the  right  wing 
tank  had  been  almost  entirely  drained. 

In  the  midst  of  the  operation  the  gasoline  line  clogged.  The  motor  coughed 
spasmodically  and  then  stopped.  As  the  plane  hurtled  earthward,  Brown  climbed 
out  of  the  cockpit,  dropped  over  the  side  from  about  2,000  feet  altitude  and 
pulled  the  ripcord  of  his  -parachute. 

While  he  was  floating  to  earth,  the  pilotless  plane  suddenly  righted  itself, 
the  clogged  gasoline  cleared  and  the  motor  began  to  hum  again  as  the  plane 
swooped  in  wide  circles  about  the  descending  pilot.  Brown  landed  safely  and 
ran  to  the  blazing  wreckage  of  his  plane.  With  the  aid  of  two  farmers,  who 
heard  the  crash,  the  pilot  was  able  to  drag  out  12  sacks  of  mail. 

The  initiation  of  this  candidate  occurred  on  April  2Sth  at  Olanda,  Pa., 
about  three  miles  north  of  Clearfield,  Pa. 

oOo 

PROMOTION  OF  AIR  CORPS  ENLISTED  ME N 

The  following  noncommissioned  officers  of  the  Air  Corps  were  recently 
promoted: 

To  the  grade  of  fester  Sergeant: 

Technical  Sergeant  William  B.  Brockway,  March  Field,  Calif., 

Technical  Sergeant  Paul  W.  Parker,  Brooks  Field,  Texas. 

Technical  Sergeant  Fletcher  J.  Cox,  France  Field,  Panama. 

Technical  Sergeant  Chester  F.  Colby  (Pilot)  Post  Field,  Okla. 

To  the  grade  of  Technical  Sergeant: 

Staff  Sergeant  Edward  E.  King, 

'Staff  Sergeant  Robert  G.  Kramer 
Staff  Sergeant  Allen  G.  Myers 
Staff  Sergeant  Rudy  J.  Barros 
Staff  Sergeant  Artie  Revert 
Staff  Sergeant  John  Bellinger 
Staff  Sergeant  Johann  Domos 
Staff  Sergeant  Joseph  R.  Grey 
Staff  Sergeant  Karoid  D.  Laroy 
Staff  Sergeant  William  D.  Croy 
Staff  Sergeant  Walter  G.  Ashby 
Staff  Sergeant  Harold  R.  Sil liman 
- — oOo — •- 

HIS  FIRST  AND  HIS  LAST 

There  was  a young  colored  lad  who  had  been  pestering  a flyer  to  give  him 
a ride . 

"Come  on,  boy,"  said  the  flyer  one  morning.  "I  feel  like  having  a little 
fun.  Hop  in." 

. For  half  an  hour  the  flyer  gave  him  all  he  had  in  the  box.  When  he  came 
down  the  boy  sat  with  his  head  in  his  hands. 

"Thank  you,  boss,"  said  he,  fervently,  "for  them  two  nice  ,rides  you 
gave  me. " 

"Two  rides?"  queried  the  puzzled  flyer. 

"Yas,  suii,"  said"  the  boy,  "Mali  ferst  and  mall  last." 

-134- 


March  Field,  Calif. 

Fort  Crockett,  Texas. 

Chanute  Field,  111. 
Selfridge  Field,  Mich. 
France  Field,  Panama. 
France  Field,  Panama. 
Fran  c e Field,  Panama . 
France  Field,  Panama. 
France  Field,  Panama. 
Post  Field,  Okla. 


V-6007,  A. C. 


ASSISTANT"  SECRETARY  OF ' WAR  "FOR' AlR:"  SUMS  UP  RESULTS  "OF  AIR  CORPS  MAESUYERS 

The  animal  inventory  period  of  the  Army  Air  Corps,  held  this  year  at  Mather 
Field  near  Sacramento,  Calif.,  has  drawn  to  a close  after  four  "weeks  of  continu- 
ous flying  activity. 

On  April  28th,  the  eight  score  Army  planes  "which  participated  in  the  Field 
Exercises  started  toward  their  respective  stations,-  the  First  Pursuit  Group  to 
Self  ridge  Field,  Mt.  Clemens, ' Mich.- ; the  Second  Bombardment  Group  to  Langley 
Field,  Va. , and  the  Third  Attack  Group  to  Fort  Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas. 

The  Field  Exercises  began  on  April  1st,  when  the  various  combat  branches  of 
the-  Army  Air  Corps  set  out  to  solve  a series  of  training  problems  "designed  to 
test  and  improve  the  team-work  between  the  various  air  organizations  and  to  de- 
velop new  tactical  theories  for  aerial  warfare. 

The  Exercises  were  commanded  by  Brigadier- General  William  E.  Gillmore,  with 
Lieut  .-Colonel  Frank  M.  Andrews"  as  Chief  of  Staff.  From  flights  of  units  of 
three  planes,  to  squadrons  and  groups,  the  training’  program  expanded  until,  . 
during  the  final  week,  it  called  for  the  coordination  of  nearly  130  combat  planes 
operating  as  a complete  Wing  and  in  simultaneous  operation  against  one  common 
objective. 

"We  have  had  a most  emphatic  demonstration,"  said  Assistant  Secretary  of 
War  F.  Trubee  Davison,  "of  our  .efficient  training  system  as  well  as  a graphic 
exhibition  of  the  reliability  and  tactical  value  of  modern  military  aircraft, 
not  alone  in  operating  against  enemy  aviation  or  ground  troops  but  in  coast 
defense  as  well.  While"  the  military  attainments  of ' the  maneuvers  are  of  com- 
pelling interest  because  they  illustrate  the  efficiency  of  our  air  defenses, 
there  are  other  -abases  of  the  demonstrations  that  are  entitled  :to  country-wide 
attention, 

"There  is,  for  instance,  the  marvelous  feat  of  the  95th  Pursuit  Squadron 
in  climbing  in  battle  formation  to  almost  30,000  feet,  thus  pushing  the  fighting 
front  of  Pursuit  aviation  more  than  two  miles  beyond  World  War  combat  altitudes. 
When  we  recall  that  only  a cou-qle  of  years  ago  30,000  feet  was  a record  height 
for  one  plane,  with  special  equipment,,  to  reach,  we  have  a.  right  to  be  proud  and 
happy  over  the  fact  that  the  Army  Air  Corps  has  a service  type  of  plane  that 
enables  19  single-seaters  to  climb  nearly  six  miles,  above  ground  as  a' matter  of 
military  routine-.  This  quest  for  Pursuit  altitude,  is  not  a stunt- but  a grim 
necessity  in  aerial  warfare.  One  may  indeed,  truthfully  .say  that , so  far  as 
Pursuit  is  concerned,  altitude,  is  strength. 

"Another  interesting  demonstration  .of " widespread  public  appeal  was  the 
flight  of  a Bombardment  plane  equipped  with  an  automatic  pilot.  While  this 
apparatus  is  still  more  or  less  experimental  in  military  aviation,  its  smooth 
performance  In  flyiiig  a heavy  twin-motored  Bomber  from  Sacramento  to  San 
Francisco  and  back  without  a human  hand  "touching  the  controls  would  indicate 
that  the  mechanical  aviator  will  soon  be  "indispensable  ill  flight  operations 
as  are . the  other  modern  instruments  that  have  given  stability  to  aircraft  and 
safety  to  flight. 

11  Tie  automatic  pilot  is  pointing  the  way  to  the  day  when  fog  or  other 
menacing  weather  will  no  longer  hold  planes  On  the  ground.  " Poor  visibility  is 
largely  a mental  hazard,  inflicted  uwon.  the  pilot..  Remove  that  hazard  by  means 
of  an  instrument  which  does  not  care  how  low  or  how"  thick  the  clouds  may  hand, 
and  we  will  have  gone  a long  way  toward  attaining  the  same  degree  of  safety  in 
flight  that  exists  in  the  older  branches, of  transportation. 

"Less  spectacular  than  the  high  altitude  record  of  Pursuit  formation  and 
the  mechanical  airmanship  of  the  automatic  pilot,  but  of  equal, importance  are 
the  lessons  the  Field  Exercises  taught  us  in  .the  transportation  of  supplies  and 
airplane  maintenance  on  the  ground.  I think  It  most  impressive  that  about  75,000 
pounds  of  miscellaneous  supplies,  ranging  from  airplane  wings  and  heavy  engines 
to  cotter  -pins  and  typewriter  ribbons  were  carried  by  Army  Air  Corps  transports 
over  the  500-mile  route  from  .the  Supply  Depot  at  San  Diego  to  Sacramento. 

"All  in  all,'  the  1930' Field  Exercises  gave  a "splendid  accounting  of  the 
efficiency  of  the  Army  Air  Corips  and  the  progress  of  American  aviation"  as  shown 
in  the  speed,  performance  and  "reliability  of  American. built ' planes  and  engines." 

;•  ’ — OOO” 

AIR  TO  GR0UED  COM-fJEICATIOE  VIA  RADIO-PHOTO  PROCESS 

The  apparatus  used-  by  the  : Army  Air  Corps  in  the  Radio-Photo  process  tests 
conducted  during  the  course  of  the  Field  Exercises  at  Mather  Field,  Sacramento, 

-135-  V-6007,  A. C. 


Calif*,  is  the' latest- development; .in-  radio  c omimini  cation  in  aerial  activity. 

The  device  is  a product  of-  .the'  W.es.tinghouse  Electric-  and,  Manufacturing  Company. 

" Handwriting  and  pictures  have  -.been  transmitted  and,  received  by.  the  appara- 
tus over  vari bus  distances" -on  the  ground* ; hut  the.  tests  conducted  by  the  Air 
Corps  are  the  first  •: in  which  planes  have;  been. used  for  air-ground  communication. 

using  this  ne.wly  developed.. radio  apparatus,  a pilot  may  write  the  mes- 
sage he  has  to  trahsir.it  uoon  a. sheet  :Of  ordinary  writing  paper,  using  a soft 
lead  pencil.  The  apparatus  then  will  send  it • cut  automatically  and  the  spe<  ial- 
ly  equipped  receiver  will  rewr-Q.duce-.it.  photographs  and  maps  made  by  observers 
also  may  be  sent  by  this  method.  •;jThey  claim  for  it  absolute  secrecy  in  trans- 
' mission  of  messages,  in  that , code  writing  may  be  used. 

While  the  test  was  only  between  a plane  and  a ground  station,  specialists 
at  the  Y/esti'nghouse-  Research  Laboratories  say  that  eventually  two-way  communi- 
cation may  be  maintained,  and  that,  written  messages  and  replies  may  be  exchanged 
between  pilots  and  their  commanding  officers  on  the  ground. 

The  transmitter  and  receiver  used  are  the  usual  type  of  radio  apparatus. 

One  of  the' famous  West inghouse  "electric  eyes,"  the  photo-electric  cells  which 
transform  light  beams  into  electrical  impulses,  is  connected  to  the  transmitter 
and  special' recording  apparatus  is  attached  to  the  receiver.  The  paper  bearing 
the  message  is  wrapped  around  a metal  cylinder,  much  the  same  in  size  and  ap- 
pearance as  the  cylinders  used  in  dictaphone  machines.  This  cylinder,  driven 
by  a small  motor,  revolves  twice  a second  and  moves  slowly  from  left  to  right. 

As  it  does-  so,  the oaper  mousses  through  the  light  beam  cast  by  the  photo- 
electric cell.  The  white  warper  reflects  the  beam  back,  but  the  black  marks  of 
the  lead  pencil  do  not  cast  reflections. 

These  variations  of  light  and  darkness  are  changed  by.  the  cell  into  elec- 
tric- impulses  which  in  turn  are  passed  through  an  audio  frequency  amplifier  and 
then  into  the  transmitting  set.  ...  The  receiver  picks  up  the  signals  and  puts 
them  through  an  amplifier,  which  rectifies  the  current,-  and  then  passes  them 
■on  to  the  -recording  :apparartus.  Instead;  of  changing  the  electrical  impulses  into 
light- ‘again,  as  in  previously -demonstrated,  equipment , the  new  device  reproduces 
the  picture  -by  sending:' the:,  actual  current  through  specially  compounded  paper. 

The  action  of  the  electricity  on  the  chemicals  in  the.  paper,  through  electro- 
lysis, changes  the  color  .of  the  .pappr  and  recreates  the  original  image..  To  ac- 
complish this,  the  special  papbr  from  dhe  roll  is  passed  first  through  a water 
bath  in  order  to  make  it  more  conductive,  thence  over  a cylinder  which  is  ro- 
tating in  synchronism  with  the.  transmitting  cylinder.  On  the  surface  of  the 
cylinder  there  is  a knife.- edge  .curved  in  spiral  . from- one  side  to  the  other.  On 
top  of  the -paper  there  , is.  a,- straight  knife  edge  which  with  the  spiral  edge 
forms  the  two  electrical  contacts  of  the  receiver.  As  the  cylinder  ruth  the 
spiral  rotates  it  produces: the  eliding; contact  along  the  straight  edge.  This 
contact  moves  from  one  side-' to  the  other  andgmakes  one  line,  of  the  reproduced 
image -witli  each  complete  revolution  . 

The  paper  is' slowly -advancing  through  the  receiver,  the  motion  being  exactly 
the  same  as  the  motion  of  the  transmitting-  cylinder,  therefore  the  two  motions 
reproduce  - exactly  the  scanning  of  mhe  photograph  by  the  transmitter  to  recreate 
the  image  on  tlie  paper  as  the  varying  current  produces  more  or  less  chemical 
change  in  the  paper. 

. . — — 0O0 — . 

AERIAL  SURVEY-  • OF  .PARKED  AUTOMOBILES  III  WASHINGTON 

The  Army  Air  Corps  which -since  the  close  of  the  World  War  has  cooperated 
in  various  projects  inaugurated  by  civilian  organizations  and  communities,  re- 
cently essayed  a new  role  in  a non-military  activity,  that  of  assisting  in  a 
survey  of  the  automobile  parking  problem  in  the  nation's  capital.  This  survey, 
which  embrace's  the  central  district  of  Washington  and  about  the  existing  and 
proposed  public  buildings,  is  .being' undertaken  by  the  National  Capital  Park  and 
Planning  Commission,  in. cooperation  with  the  Office  of  the  Chief  Coordinator, 
the  District  of  Columbia,  and  local  trade  bodies. 

Complying  writh  the. request  of  Lieut* -Colonel  U.S.  Grant,  3rd,  Director  of 
the  Office  of  Public  Buildings,  and  Public  Parks,  that  the  Air  Corps  send  a -photo- 
graphic plane  over  the:  city1  during  the  middle  of  a business  day  to  take  photo- 
graphs which  would  show  the  amount  and  distribution  of  parking  and  the  areas  of 
traffic  congestion,  Lieut.  D.W.  Goodrich,  in  charge  of  the  Photo  Section  at 
Bolling  Pield,  D.C.,  accompanied  by  Sergeant  A.E.  Matos,  veteran  Army  -photograph- 
er, flew  an  01- E Observation  plane  over  Washington  at  an  altitude  of  about  3,000 

-136-  V-6007,  A. C. 


feet,  during  the  course  of  which  a total  of  108  photographs  were  taken,  th.e. 
entire  mission  being  accomplished  in  35  minutes'  flying  time.  ' ' 

The  aerial  photographs  covered  the  area  from  the  Potomac  River  to  Florida 
Avenue,  Northwest,  and  from  Rock  Creek  to  First  Street,  Northeast.  Although 
the  -photographs  were  taken  from  an  altitude  of  more  than  half  a mile,  they  are 
remarkably  clear,  showing  automobiles  in  the  entire  area,  whether  parked  or 
moving.  With  the  aid  of  a magnifying  glass,  such  minute  details  as  fire  plugs 
and  lamp  posts  are  visible.  Painted  traffic  lines  show  up  distinctly. 

One  passage  of  the  plane  over  the  territory  to  be  photographed ’was  suffi- 
cient, the  exposures  being  made  automatically  with  sufficient  overlapping  so 
that  they  could  be  placed  together  accurately.  An  area  ranging  between  eight  and 
nine  square  miles  was  photographed. 

Photographing  practically  an  entire  city  within  the  short  space  of  35  min- 
utes gives  one  something  to  think  about.  One-  wonders  how  long  a time  a project 
of  this  kind  would  have  entailed  utilizing  ground  photography,  not  to  mention 
the  great  expense  and  the  immense  amount  of  labor.  And  so  through  the  instru- 
mentality of  the  airplane , by  means  of  which  a detailed  picture  was  taken  show- 
ing actual  every-day  traffic  conditions  in  the  nation* s capital,  the  vexing 
automobile  parking  problem  now.  existing  may  be  brought  to  a solution  much  sooner 
than  the  veriest  optimist  would  expect. 

oOo 

CAPTAIN  STEVENS  ESTABLISHES  A NEW  RECORD  IN  LONG  DISTANCE  AERIAL  PHOTOGRAPHY 

Captain  Albert  W.  Stevens,  Air  Corps,  photographic  expert,  recently  succeed- 
ed in  taking  a photograph  covering  a distance  of  270  miles  in  one  single  expos- 
ure. This  accomplishment  adds  almost  fifty  miles  to  the  previous  long-distance 
photographic  record  established  by  him  last  August,  when  his  camera  registered 
objects  227  miles  distant. 

The  photograph  taken  by  Captain  Stevens  during  a flight  20,000  feet  above 
Crater  Lake,  Oregon,  gives  a remarkably  clear  picture  of  the  various  mountain 
ranges  stretching  northward,  to  the  lofty  peak  of  Mt . Rainier,  14,000  feet  above 
sea  level.  Crescent  Lake  and  Diamond  Peak  appear  in  the  foreground,  then  follow 
the  Three  Sisters,  125  miles  away;  next  Mount  Jefferson,  175  miles  away;  Mount 
Hood,  200  miles  away  and,  finally,  in  lone  majesty  on  the  edge  of  the  horizon, 
Mount  Rainier. 

Captain  Stevens' took  the  picture  from  an  Air  Corps  photographic  plane, 
piloted  by  Lieut.  John  D.  Corkille.  Taking  off  from  Mather  Field,  Sacramento, 
Calif,,  at  6:30  a.m. , on  the  morning  of  the  mission,  the  plane  climbed  steadily 
for  almost  a full  hour  as  they  fie?;  northward.  ■ When  the  craft  reached  the  upper 
air  lanes  over  Crater  lake  the  altimeter  on  the  plane  registered  20,000  feet, 
while  the  . thermometer  stood  at  20  below  zero.  "We  didn*t  mind  the  low  tempera- 
ture as  much, as  the  lack  of  oxygen  in  the  air,"  Captain  Stevens  stated.  "We  got 
the  oxygen  we  needed  from  a liquid  oxygen  supply,  but  finally  had  to  come  down 
after  four  hours,  when  our  sup-ply  was  exhausted. 

"Shooting  at  Mount  Rainier  from  a distance  greater  than  that  between  New 
York  City  and  Washington  is  much  like  shooting  at  the  moon  with  the  difference  , 
that  you  can  see  the  moon.  . The  principal  task  is  to  aim  the  camera  in  the 
general  direction  you  believe  your  objective  to  be,  snap  the -trigger  and  hope 
for  luck, 

t5Wkile  I am  very  well  satisfied  with  the  results  obtained  on  this  particular 
mission,  I am  inclined  to  believe  that  it  will  only  be  a matter  of  time  before  we 
will  develop  a camera  that  will  record  even  greater  distances." 

oOo — - 

Over  in  Alabama  a colored  -preacher  at  one  time  had  served'  a short  jail 
sentence  and  was  fehrful  lest  his  congregation  discover  the  fact,  as  in  his 
later  years  he  had  been  a model  on  rectitude. 

On  a Sunday  morning, ' rising  to  begin  his  sermon,  his  heart  sank  upon 
observing  his  former  cell-mate  sitting  in  the  front 'row.  Quick  thinking  was 
necessary.  Giving  the  unwelcome  guest  a steady  look,  the  prehcher  pronounced 
solemnly:  "Ah  takes  mah  text  dis  mo’nin1  from  de  sixty-fo1 th' chaptah  and  fo1 
hundreth  verse  of  the  Book  of  Job,  which  says,  9 Dem  as  sees  and  knows  me,  and 
says  nothin1,  dem  will  Ah' see  later.1" 

•:  -137- 


V-6007 , A. C . 


• /:  \ A.1%  COEP'S  'FLOM1.  WINS  ADMIRATION.' 

In  the  "brilliant  Battle  of  Flowers  Parade  on  April  26th,  which  climaxed 
the  famous  annual  Fiesta  San  Jacinto  week  in  the  City  of  San  Antonio,  commemo- 
rating the  Battle  of  San  Jacinto  in  Texas  history,  a float  was  entered,  repre- 
senting the  joint  -participation  of  the  Air  Corps  Training  Center  and  the  San 
Antonio  Air  Depot.  / This  float , which ‘was  constructed  at  Duncan  Field,  was  in 
the  form  of  a Cornucopia,  with  - 'three  miniature  airplanes  mounted  in  front,  sym- 
bolizing the  function  of  the  Training  Center  and  the  Denot  in  the  Air  Corps 
scheme,  and  was  covered. with  blue , white  and  yellow  artificial  flowers.  The 
float  was  occupied  by  Mrs.  L.H.  Rodieck,  wife  of  Lieut.  Rodieck  of  Brooks 
Field,  portraying  the  Goddess  of  Plenty,  with  her  attendants,  the  little  Misses 
Barbara  Lahm,  daughter  of  General  Lahm,  and  Joan  Cannon,  daughter  of  Lieutenant 
Cannon  of  Kelly  Field.  The  entire  effect  appeared  to  elicit  numerous  expres- 
sions of  admiration  along  the  line  of  the  parade. 

0O0 — ~ 

AIR  CORPS  INSTRUCTOR  FLIES  TO'  THE.  MEXICAN  CAPITAL 

Lieut.  James  3.  .Carroll , Air  Corps,  Regular  Army  Instructor  with  the  115th 
Observation  Squadron,  California  National  Guard,  Griffith  Park,  Los  Angeles, 
recently  completed. a very  interesting  trip  via  air  to  Mexico  City  and  return. 

On  three  weeks'  leave,  Lieut.  Carroll . spent  considerable  time  in  a 5-passenger 
cabin  J-6  Travelair,  together  with  Frank  Muller,  owner  of  the  plane;  Roy  Minor, 
pilot,  and  Ross  Cunningham. 

Lieut.  Carroll  reports  that  he  found  the  weaoher  good,  landing  fields 
fair,  service  excellent  and  the  soda  pop  terrible.  On  the  first  day  the  party 
made  Nogales  and  stayed  overnight  at  Cannanea,  the.  second  night  at  Los  Mochis, 
the  third  night  at  Mazatlan,  where  the  natives  were  so  hospitable  that  the 
visitors  stopped  there  f- r five  days,  after  which  they  were  able  to  make 
Mexico  City.  After  four  days  spent  at  the.  7,000  ft.  City,  they  took  off  again, 
returning  for  the  first  night's  stop,  at  Cannanea,  via  Mazatlan.  The  return 
trip  was  completed  the  second  day. 

oOo 

MUSKOGEE  COMPLETES'  MUNICIPAL  AIRPORT 

On  May  36  th  Muskogee's  recently  completed  Municipal  Air-port  is  to  be  dedi- 
cated in  one  of. the  largest  ceremonies  of  the  kind  ever  staged  in  the  Southwest. 
The  Hon.  Patrick  J.  Hurley,  Secretary  of  War,  an  Oklahoman,  is  expected  to  be 
present  aiid  to  be  the' principal  speaker  at  the  dedication  ceremony. 

A nroximately  200  airplanes  have  been  promised  for  the  event,  including 
both  army  and  commercial  ships..  Prizes  are  to  be  offered  in  competition  among 
service  and  private . pilots . 

Hat  box-  Field,  the  pioneer  aviation  field  in  Oklahoma.,  is  widely  known 
throughout  the  aviation  world  and  is  on  the  Army's  north-south  and  east-west 
transcontinental  route.  Since  1922  Army  fliers  have  been  landing  at  the  field.. 

— -000- 

IN  AGAIN,'  OUT  AGAIN,  IN  AGAIN EGAN. 

When  the  Fifth  Squadfon  moved  into  their  new  barracks  at  Mitchel  Field, 
there  was’ a great  demand  for  shrubs  and  trees,  with  which  to  beautify  the  imme- 
diate landscape.  Captain.  "Eddie"  House  started  scratching  his  cranium 
vigorously. 

The  deep,  dark  secret  was  filially  divulged  that  Lieut.  Jack  Egan  had  taken 
a correspondence  course  from  the  Davey  Tree  Sur  eons,  and  was  undoubtedly  the 
man  for  the  job.  Egan  was  promptly  -put  on  the  scent  of  new  shrubs,  and  after  a 
day  of  scouting  around  he  reported  that  the  only  suitable  trees  were  those  in 
front  of  headquarters.  This  statement  recalled  to  Captain  House  that  sometime 
in  the  -past'  he  had  been  told  that  those  very  trees  and  shrubs  were  at  his  dis- 
posal should  he  ever  care,  to  make  use  of'  them. 

So  the  next  morning,  armed  to  the  teeth  with  picks  and  shovels,  Egan  and 
his  gang  began  their  Upheaval  of ' the  Headquarter  foliage.  The  work  went  on- 
peacefully  enough  until  all  but  one  of  the  desired  bits  of  greenery  had  been 

-138-  : V-S007P  A.C. 


uprooted  and  transplanted  abound  the /new  bar  racks.’  Then  a storm  cloud  broke 
with  the  entrance  of  Colonel  Howard  on  the  scene.  “Who  is  this  infidel  who  has. 
uprooted  everything  which' -.has  stood  .for  law  and.  order?"  he  queried  - mildly?'. 
Enter  Jack  Egan,  pick  over. his  shoulder  and  “blissfully  whistling  a woodman’s 
ditty.  "Sir,  I done  it.  with  my  littleaxe.” 

The  process  was  then  reversed  and  every  tree  and  shrub  was  restored  to  its 
original  plot  in  front  of  Headquarters.  The  Eifth  Squadron’s  -promenade  again 
became  barren.  "Caught  in  the  act  and  sentenced  to  life,”  explained  a late  news 
bulletin.  0O0 — - 

COMMUNICATIONS  COURSE  STUDENTS  PERFORM  MANY  RADIO  MISSIONS  p 

; •;  ’Vv  • • • ‘ 

The  1929-1930  regular  army  officers,  class  in  Communications  at  the  Air 
Corps  Technical  School  at  Chanute  Field,  Rantoul,  111.,  consisting  of  five 
officers  - Lieutenants  George  H.  Sparhawk,  Robert  L.  Schoenlein,  Lindsay' M. 
Bawsel,  Donald  R.  Lyon  and  Roland  O.S.  Akre,-  entered  the  phase  of  their  course 
on  Airplane  Installation. and  Operation  of  Radio  Sets  on  April  7th,  and  from 
that  date  up  to  and  including  April  11th  have  flown'. 21  successful  two-way  radio 
missions  in  the  two  airplanes  (types  02-C  and  0-11 ) assigned  the  Department  of 
Communications. 

Interphone  systems  between  pilot  and  observer  are  installed  in  each  of 
the  airplanes,  enabling  either  pilot  or  observer  to  handle  til'd  communications  ■ 
between  ground  and  airplane.  With  five  student,  officers  in  the  class,  and  two.1 
airplanes  and  a ground  station  (SCR-132)  available,  a roster  is  maintained 
alternating  the  student  officer  assignments  between  pilot,  observer  and  ground',;,, 
station  operator. 

oOo — - 

FLY  TOGETHER  IN  SAMS  PLANE-AFTER  LAPSE  OF  TWENTY  YEARS 

Pioneering  days  in.  Army  aviation  we  re  called  during  the  course  of  the 
Exercises  conducted  by  the .Army  Air.  Corps  at  Mather  Field,  Sacramento , Calif., 
when  Majors  Henry  H.  Arnold  and  Thomas  DeWit.t  Milling  flew  together  in  a 
plane  for  the  first  time  in  nearly  twenty  years.  Pack  in  1911  both  of  these 
officers,  then  second  lieutenants,  Arnold  from  the  Infantry  and  Milling  from 
the  Cavalry,  were  detailed  to  the  Signal 'Corps , and  in  April  of  that  year  were 
ordered  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  to  undergo  a course  of  instruction  in  operating  the 
Wright  biplane. 

Majors  Arnold  and  Milling  received  their  flying  instruction  under  one  of 
the  pio'neer  Wright  flyers,  and.  whenever  they  took  a lesson  they  had  to  wend 
their  way  to  the  large  barn. at  Sims  Station,  now  the  site  of  the  Fairfield,  0., 
Air  Depot,  which  .housed  several  of  the  early  Wright  machines.  These  flying 
lessons  were  usually  given  just  before  sunrise  or  sunset,  when  air  and  wind 
conditions  were  most  favorable  . The  very  low  power  of  the  early  Wright  biplane 
made  flying  in  a strong-  wind  somewhat  hazardous,  particularly  so  with  a begin- 
ner handling  the  controls. 

After. the  completion. of : their  flying, instruction  at  Dayton,  ■ the  two  young 
Army  aviators  were  assigned  to  duty  at  the  Signal  Corps  Aviation  School  at 
College  Park,  Md. , the  government  having  leased  a thousand-acre  tract  of  land 
at  that  place  for  use  as  a flying  training: school . 

"We  certainly  enjoyed  our  first  flight  together  since  those  early  days  of 
cloud  pushing,"  said  Major  Milling-,  as  he  and  Major  Arnold  stepped  out  of  their 
fast  Observation  plane  in  which  they  had  made  their  reunion-flight.  As  I sat 
looking  at  Major  Arno ld’,s  familiar  back,  I thought  of  the  great  flow  of  aviation 
development  that  had  taken. place  since  1911.  The  Army  plane  we  used  today  has  ' 
a 500  lorsepower  motor,  can  cruise  650' miles  and  has  a high  "speed  of  156  miles 
an  hour.  Contrast  this  with.  the.  .Danes  of  20;  years  ago  which' had  24  horsepower 
engines  and  which  could,  fly.  for  only  two  and  a half  hours  at;  the  rate  of  40 
miles  an  hour  with  the  mo. to, r wide  open.  How  times  have  changed! 

A reminiscent  look  crept  into  Major  Arnold'  s eyes  as  he"  said:  "Yes,  I 
thought  of  that  too  and  then,  when  I noticed  that,  bunch  of'  pursuit  pilots  flying 
in  tight  formation  over  on  our  left,  it  occurred  to. me  that  those  fellows  won 
their  wings  after  one  full  yea;r  of  intensive  training  • 365  days  of  hard,  gruel- 
ling work.  In  our  ’Cadet1  days,  pilots  were  made  in  minutes,  nd t hours.  Major 
Milling  has  the  distinction  of  winning  his  rating  in  one  hour  and  50  minutes. 

I had  two  hours  and  20  minutes." 


-139- 


7-6007 , A.C. 


STATS  OF  ILLINOIS  PHOTOGRAPHED 


The  Department  of  Photography  of  the  Air  Corps  Technical  School,  Charrate 
Field,  Rantoul,  111.,  recently  made  tri-lens  photographs  of  approximately 
1,000  square  miles  of  quadrangles  in  the  State  of  Illinois  for  the  United 
States  Geological  Survey.  . This  valuable  cooperative  work,  which  will  effect 
an  enormous  saving  in  time  and  money  to  the  Government  and  the  State  of 
Illinois,  was  completed  in  connection  with  the  photographic  student  officer,' 
training  work.  A total  of  2,500  square  of  miles  will  he  -photographed  under 
this  arrangement  by  June  1st  if  good  weather  is  experienced.  All  photographic 
material  used  for  this  work  is  being  replaced  by  the  United  States  Geological 
Survey. 

Lieuts.  Spry  and  Stowell,  students  of  the  Photographic  School,  recently 
flew  a two- strip  mosaic  of  the  Chicago  waterfront  from  the  Indiana  line  to 
Wilmette,  Illinois,  a distance  of  approximately  SO  miles.  A number  of  at- 
tempts were  made  this  spring  to  photograph  this  area,  which  for  wrobably  364- 
days  in  the  year  is  covered  by  dense  smoke  or  clouds.  When  completed,  this 
mosaic  will  be  approximately  30  feet  long  and  four  feet  wide.  It  will  be  used 
as  an  exhibit  at  the  Army  Relief  Show  which- is  to  be  held  at  Soldier  Field  in 
Chicago  in  June. 

oOo 

ARMY  FLYERS  ESCORT  TRANSCONTINENTAL  GLIDER  FLYER 

A three-ship  formation,  composed  of  airplanes  from  the  99th  and  5th 
Squadrons,  Mitchel  Field,  N.Y.,  escorted  Captain  Hawks  and  his  Vermillion 
colored  Texaco  glider  into  Van  Cortlandt  Park  on  April  6th,  thus  adding  a 
finishing  touch  to  his  epochal  flight  across  the  continent.  Lieut .-Colonel 
Brant,  of -Mitchel  Field,  and  Major  Krogstadt,  the  Corps  Area  Air  Officer, 
formed -a  part  of  the  Mayor's  reception  committee  for  Captain  Hawks. 

As  a return  favor,  Captain  Hawks  brought  his  glider  out  to  Mitchel  Field 
and  said:  "All  right,  boys,  try  her  out!"  Colonel  Brant  was  the  first  to  be 
hoisted  off  the  ground,  and  was  followed  by  Hex  McClellan  and  Lorry  Tyndall. 

The  glider  was  pulled  off  the ‘ground  by  hand,  which  made  sustained  flight  a 
difficult  feat.  Despite  this  handicap i however,  Tyndall  succeeded  in  smashing 

all  existing  records  for  Mitchel  Field  by  staying  up  sixteen  and  one-half 

seconds. 

oOo — t 

LARGE  CLASS  TO  GRADUATE  FROM  ADVANCED  FLYING  SCHOOL 

• The  June  graduating  class  at  the  Advanced  Flying  School , Kelly  Field, 
Texas,  promises  to  number  exactly  one  hundred  strong,  comprising  16  officers 
of  the  Regular  Army,  onp  foreign  officer  (Columbia) , 82  flying  cadets,  and 
one  staff  sergeant.  The  flying  cadets  are  now  submitting  their  appli cations 
for  extended  active  duty  with  tactical  units  of  the  Air  Corps . A total  of  • 

63  have  submitted  such  applications,,  which  is  a drop  of  ten  percent  in  the 
number  requesting  active  duty  as  compared  with  the  February  class. 

oOo 

LIBERTY  ENGINES  APPARENTLY  DISLIKE  THE  PHILIPPINE  CLIMATE 

The  2nd  Observation  Squadron  stationed  at  Nichols  Field,  Rizal,  P.I., 
experienced  some  hard  luck  with  its  Liberty  engines  installed  in  02-H  Observa- 
tion qolanes  lately.  Lieut.  Backes,  while  flying  a machine  gun  mission  recent- 
ly, was  forced  dov/n  at  Nichols  Field  with  a thrown  connecting  rod.  The  next 
day,  while  flying  a mission  in  cooperation  with  the  Navy,  Lieut.  Kennedy  was 
forced  down  in  Manila  Bey  with  a bailey  engine.  The  plane  sank  in  150  feet  of 
water.  In  another  flight  several  days  later,  Lieut.  Backes  was  forced  down 
again  with  engine  trouble  while  testing  machine  guns.  This  time  he  could' not 
reach  the  field  and  was  compelled  to  land  in  the  water  about  five  miles  south 
of  the  field.  The  water  where  he  landed  was  only  about  three  feet  deep  and 
the  plane  may  be  salvaged. 

The  only  injuries  in  any  of  these  forced  landings  was  suffered  by  Private 
Brown  who  was  with  Lieut.  Kennedy,  He  had  his  wind  knocked  out  when- his  safety 
belt  broke  and  he  struck  the  windshield  with  his  stomach. 

-140-  . 


V-6007,  A. C 


¥AE  DEPARTMENT  ORDERS . AFFECTING  -AIR-  GORPS.  OFFICERS 
Chang  sc  of  Station: 

Major  Harold  A.  Strauss,  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  to  Brooks  Field,  Texas,  not 
later  than  July  1,  1930,  for  .-primary  flying  training. 

Major  Thomas  J.  Hanley,  upon  completion  of  present  course  of  instruction 
at  Command  and  General  Staff  School,  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  to  Air  Corps 
Training  Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas.' 

Captain  William  B.  Wright,  Jr.,  Kelly  Field,  to  duty  with  Organized 
Reserves,  7th  Corps  Area,  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  vice  1st  Lieut.  Isaiah  Davies, 
ordered  to  duty  in  Office  of  Chief  of  Air  Corps,  Washington. 

Captain  Joseph  L.  Stromme , upon  completion  of  present  course  of  instruc- 
tion at  Harvard  School  of  Business  Administration,  Cambridge,  Mass.,  to 
Buffalo,  N.Y. , for  duty  as  Air  Corps  Procurement  Planning  Representative. 

Captain  Christopher  W.  Ford  from  duty  with  Organized  Reserves,  1st  Corps 
Area,  Boston,  Mass.,  to  Air  Corns  Training  Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas. 

Upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in  Panama,  Captain  Samuel  C.  Skemp  to 
Chanute  Field,  Rantoul,  111.;  1st  Lieuts.  Robert  T.  Cronau  and  Glen  C. Jamison 
to  Langley  Field,  Va. ; 1st  Lieut.  Don  W.  Mayhue  to  Fort  Crockett,  Texas;  2nd 
Lieut.  John  IT.  Jones  and  1st  Lieut.  Eduard  D.  Jones  to  Air  Corps  Training 
Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas. 

Captain  Charles  A.  Parsley  to  Air  Corns  Tactical  School,  Langley  Field, 

Va. , for  duty  as  student.  Previous  orders  in  his  case  revoked. 

Assignment  of  Captain  Thomas  W.  Hastey,  Office  Chief  of  Air  Corps,  to 
Air  Corps  Tactical  School,  Langley  Field,  Va. , revoked. 

1st  Lieut.  LeRoy  A.  Walthall,  Crissy  Field,  to  duty  with  Organized 
Reserves,  9th  Corps  Area,  San  Francisco,  Calif. 

1st  Lieut.  Graham  M.  St.  John,  Kelly  Field,  to  duty  with  Organized  Re- 
serves, 7th  Corps  Area,  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  relieving  1st  Lieut.  Wm.  C.  Farnum, 
ordered  July  1,  1930,  to  March  Field,  Calif.,  for  primary  flying  training. 

Upon  completion  course  of  instruction  at  Air  Corps  Tactical  School, 

Langley  Field,  Va. , 1st  Lieut.  James  T.  Curry,  Jr.,  to  rewort  to  Commandant 
of  that  School  for  duty. 

1st  Lieut.  Clayton  L.  Bissell , Instructor  at  Air  Corps  Tactical  School, 
Langley  Field,  to  Air  Corps  Training  Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas. 

1st  Lieut.  John  S.  Griffith,  Kelly  Field,  to  Selfridge  Field,  Mich. 

1st  Lieut.  Kenneth  Garrett,  ’March  Field,  Calif.,  to  duty  with  Organized 
Reserves,  5th  Corps  Area,  Fort  Benjamin  Harrison,  Indiana. 

Upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in  Hawaiian  Department,  Captain  Raymond 
E.  O'Neill  to  1st  Balloon  Company,  Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma;  1st  Lieut.  James  F.J. 
Earley  to  March  Field,  Calif.;  1st  Lieut.  Raymond  E.  Culbertson  to  Self ridge 
Field,  Mich.;  1st  Lieut.  Angie r H.  Foster  to  Fort  Crockett,  Texas;  1st  Lieut. 
George  V.  McPike  to  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Assignment  of  1st  Lieut..  ' Purnie  R.  Dallas,  Rockwell  Field,.. for  duty  as 
student  at  Air  Corps  Tactical  School,  revoked. 

1st  Lieut.  Odas.  Moon,  Rockwell  Field,  Calif.,  to  Air  Corps  Tactical 
School,  Langley  'Field,  Va. , for  duty  as  student.. 

1st  Lieut.  James  T.  Hutchison,  upon  completion  of  tour  of 'duty  in  Hawaii, 
to  Crissy  Field,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Calif. 

2nd  Lieut.  Russell  E.  Randall,  Brooks  Field,  to  duty  at  the  United  States 
MilitaiL,.  Academy,  West  Point,-  N.Y. 

2nd  Lieut.  Waldine  W.  Messmore,  Chanute  Field,  111.,  to  Maxwell  Field, Ala. 
Detailed  to  the  Air  Corns,  and  to  Primary  Flying  School,  Brooks  Field,  Texas, 

not’  later  than  July  1.  1930,  for  training; 

2nd  Iiieut.  Roy  H.  Guerf’er,  Cavalry. 

2nd  Lieut.  William  F.  McKee,  Coast  Artillery  Comps. 

Captain  Albert  L.  Lane,  Corps  of  Engineers. 

Relieved  from  detail  to  the  Air  Corns: 

Ma jor  Hollis  LeR.  Miller  to  the  13th  Coast  Artillery,  Ft.  Barrancas.,  Fla . 

2nd  Lieut.  Wayne  J.  Dunn  to  12th, Cavalry,  Fort. Brown,  Texas. 

2nd  Lieut.  Robert  T.  Frederick,  to  13  th  Coast  Artillery,  Ft  .Barrancas, Fla. 

2nd  Lieut.  Thomas  R.  Horton  to  the  11th  Infantry,  Ft.  Benjamin  Harrison, 
Indiana. 

2nd  Lieut.  Alvin  G.  Viney  to  the  6th  Engineers ,' Fort  Lawton,  Wash. 

2nd  Lieut.  John  0.  Williams  to  2nd  Division,  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas. 

2nd  Lieut.  Herbert  J.  Van  der  Heide,  Infantry,  to  30th  Infantry,  Presidio 
of  San  Francisco , Calif. 


-141- 


V-6007,  A. C. 


'Relieved  from  detail  to  the  Air  Corps  (Cont’d) 

2hd)  Li:ut.  Charles  G.  Calloway,  to  the  62nd  Coast  Artillery,  Fort 
Totten,  Hen  York. 

2nd  Lieut.  Luster  -A.  Vickrey  to  18th  Field  Artillery Fort  Sill,  -Okla. 
2iid;  Lieut . Edwin  G.  Griffith  to  13th  Coast  Artillery,  Ft. Barrancas,.  Fla, 
Transferred  to'  the  Air  Corps ; 


Bank  from  June  3,  1927. . 

June  25  , 1929 . 

. June  12,  1925. 
June  12,"  1926. 
June* 14,  1927. 
June  .9.,  1928. 
June  . 9,.  1928. 
June  , 9 1928. 
June"  9,  1928. 
June  9,  1928. 
June  14',  1927. 
June  14,  1927.. 


1st'  Lt . Oscar  L.  Beal  Infant r y 

1st  Lt.  Richard  E.  Hugent , Infantry 
2nd' Lt . John  H.  McCormick,  Signal  Corps 
- 2nd- Lt.  Leon  W.  Johnson,  Infantry 

2nd  Lt.  John  M.  Sterling  Field  Artillery 

'2nd -Lt . Karl' G.E.  Gimmler,  Field  Artillery 
‘ ' 2nd  Lt.  Maurice-  C.-  Bisson  Infantry 
: 2nd- Lt Donald  W,  Titus,  Infantry 

2nd  Lt.  Emmett  O’Donnell, Jr .,  Infantry 
'2nd'Lt.  Truman  H.  Landon,  Coast  Artillery 
2nd  Lt.  John  W.  Kirby  Infantry 

- 2nd  Lt . Charles  B.  Stone,  Infantry 

Reserve  Officers  ordered  to  extended  active  duty: 

From  July  2,  1930  to  December  31,  1930, 

2nd  Lieut.  Ferdinand  Eble,  Jr.,  Washington  D.C.,  to  Mitchel  Field,  H.Y. 

2nd  Lieut.  Wm.  Christy  Bryan,  Jr.,  Ft.  Worth,  Texas,  to  Post  Field,  Okla. 

2nd  Lieut.  Richard' J.  French,  Patsburg, ■ Ala. , to  Maxwell  Field,  Ala. 

2nd  Lieut.  * Grosvenor  R.  Paine-,  Brownsville , Tex.,  to  Ft.  Sam  Houston,  Texas 

2nd  Lieut.  Mitchell  P.  Borden,  Hew  Orleans,  La.,  to  Maxwell  Field,  Ala. 

■2hd  Lieut.  Bayard  B.  Borden,  Hew  Orleans,  La.,  to  Maxwell  Field,  Ala. 

•2nd  Lieut.  John  S.  Blanchard  to  France  Field,  Panama  Canal  Zone. 

'2nd  Lieut.  William  H.  Thomas,  Elwood  City,  Pa.,  to  Mitchel  Field,  H.Y. 

From  May  14,  1930,  to  May  14,' 1931.  ; 

2nd  Lieut.  Raymond  Bradford  Hurst,  Seattle,  Wash.,  to  Crissy  Field, ■Calif. 

2nd  Lieut.  George  Oscar  Bond,  Hyannis,  Mass.,  to  Mitchel  Field,  H.Y. 


2nd  Lieut.  Erliiig  A.  Strand,  Eugene,  Oregon,  to  Rockwell  Field,  Calif., 
June  30  to  December  27,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  Edmund  L.  Burke,  Henrostead,  L.I.,  to  Mitchel  Field,  H.Y. , 

May  1,  1930'  to  April  30,  1931. 

1st  Lieut.  Horfleet  G.  Bone,  Dallas,  Texas,  to  Fort  Sam  Houston, Texas, 

May  23  to  Hovember  21,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  Gerard  F.  Milligan,  Dorchester,  'Mass.,' to  Mitchel  Field,  H.Y1., 
to  March  14,  1931. 

2nd  Lieut.  Dan  McGrew  Medier,  Seattle,  Wash.,  to  Rockwell  Field, Calif . , 
June  29  to  December  27,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  Thomas  J.  Parkes,  Corsicana,  Texas,  to  Fort  Sam  Houston,. 

Texas,  June  2 -.to  Hovember  30,  1930. 

Promotion;  2nd  Lieut.  Carl  J.  Crane  to  1st  Lieut.,  rank  from  March  28,1930. 

— -oOo 

WHOLESALE  CATERPILLAR  CLUB  IHITIATIOH 

Respecting  the  rather  unusual  incident  of  six  men  making  emergency  para- 
chute^ jumps  simultaneously  from  a disabled  Transport  plane,  mentioned  elsewhere 
in  this  issue,  it  was  learned  that  the- men  participating  in  this  wholesale  ini- 
tiation into  the  Caterpillar  Club  on  May  2nd  were  Sergeant  C.A.  Davis  and  Pvt. 
John  Koziak,  11th  Bombardment  Group;  Corp.  W.L.  Green,  Pvts.  Tony  Wasilevich, 
Roy  Stokes  and  John  Lockwood,  95th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Rockwell  Field,  Calif. 

When  one  of  the. propellers  of  the  tri-mo tored  Army  Fokker  Transport  broke, 
these  six  men  "bailed  out”  in-rapid  succession,  five  going  through  the  side 
door  oi  the  plane  and  Private  Lockwood  through  the. trap  door.  In  doing  so  the 
latter  skinned  his  nose.  Corp.  Green  strained  his  neck  when .his  chute  snapped 
?gt.  Davis  was  slightly  burned  by 'the  parachute  harness.  Lieut,  if.  A. 
ell,  Air  Corps,  piloting  ttya  Transport  from" March  to  ifeither  Field,  stated; 

. Everything  was  going  smoothly  until  we  neared  Fresno.  Suddenly;  what  I 
at  first  thought  was  the  left  propeller,  broke  off.  I throttled .down  the 
KJors  from  left  tp  right,  but' by  "'the  time  I discovered  that  the ‘right  propel- 
ler was  go ne^ the  right  motor  had  virtually  torn  itself  to  pieces  and  the' plane 
was  jumping  oadly.  I saw  that  a forced  landing  in*a  vineyard  was  coming  .and 
told.  Sergeant  Arthur,  who  was  in  t.ae  pilot's  cockpit  with  me,'  to,  tell  the  other 
men  to  jump.  Arthur  opened  the  dbor  to  .yell  to  them,  but  they  had'  already 
sensed  what  was  coming . and  the  last  man  was  just  disappearing  out  of  the  door. 
"™en  t°ld  Arthur  to  jump,  too,  as  we  were  due  to  crash.  Arthur'  said  1 HP,  1 
? t°°d  ? tried,  for  an  open  space  in  :the  vineyard,  but  couldn’  t .quite 

stretch  phe  glide  to  make  it,,  and  v/e  piled  up  an  the  vineyard.  I don't,  under- 
stand why  Something  didn’t  hit  us  in  the  face;  things  .were  certainly’  f lying 
around  m the  front  cabin."  • 

• ■ " ••  -142-  V-6007,  A.  C. 


- SECOND'  BOMMRDMSNT  GROUP  RETURNS  HOME  ■'  ' • ' ; 

| In  common  bit'll  -the  other  Groups, of  the;  Provisional  Wing  which  had  been  . 
'carrying  on  the  Air  Corns  Field-' Exercises  at  Mather  Field,  Sacramento,  Calif,, 
the  Second  Bombardment  Group  nut  on  their  demonstration  at  the  United  Airport 
* at  • -tehank,  Calif.',  for  the  benefit  Off;  the  people  of  Los  Angeles  ahd  vicinity. 

-A  formation  of  bombers  flew  a night  mission' Over  the  cities  around  Los  Angeles, 
and  in  the  leading  bomber  was  hone  other  than -Will  Sogers  himself  as  honor 
passenger, 

■On  Sunday,  April  27th,  the ' Group. participated  in  the  last  aerial  review  of 
the  Provisional  Wing  at  Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif. , upon'  the  completion 
of;  which  the  Wing  was  disbanded  and  plans  were  made'  for  the  loiig  trip  home  to 
Langley  Field,  Va. 

•All  but  two  of  the  Curtiss  B-2  Bombers ' (Condors) .were  left  at  Rockwell 
Field  for  transfer  to  the  7th  Bombardment  Group  there,  jnost  .of  the  pilots 
.of; these  planes  returning  home  by  rail.  The  remaining  two  R-2’s  and  eleven 
Keystone  LB-7’s  started  Wednesday,  morning,  April  30th,  with  their  noses  point- 
ing East  and  their  motors'- humming  the  tune.  "Carry  me  Back  to  01’  -Virgimiy, " 

...The  itinerary  of  the  Group  was  as  follows:-  • 

;.  1st  Lay  — San  Diego  Tucson.  - El  Paso. 

2nd  Day  — El  Paso  - Post  Field,  Okla.  - Kansas  City,  Mb. 

..  3rd  Day  — Kansas  City  - Scott' Field,  111.  - Fairfield,  Ohio. 

" 4th  Day  — Fairfield  - Langley  Field,  Ya. 

The  flying  time  from  the  West  to  the  East  Coast' was  28  hours  and  20  min- 
utes - a new  transcontinental  flight  record  for  the  Second  Bombardment  Group; 
since  it  eclipsed  by  one  and  One-half  hours  the  time  made  by  this  Organization 
in  the  day  and  night  flight  from  Langley  Field  to  the  West  Coast' in  August  of 
last., year,  at  which  time  the  Group  made  a record  for  the  movement  of . a forma- 
tion of:  military  airplanes  from  one  coast  to  the  other. 

oOo 

AND  ROW  WE  HAVE-  THE  FLYING  DOG 

' ' While  the  Second  Bombardment  Group  was  oh 'the  West  Coast  participating  in 
the  Air  Corns  Field  Exercises  at  ifether  Field,  it  staged  an  aerial  demonstra- 
tion1 ait 'Mills  Field',  San  Francisco,  Calif. , early  in  April.'  At'  that  time  an 
admirer  of  the  Grou^)  presented  it.  with  a fine  little  six  weeks  old  Irish 
terrier.  The  pup  soon  became  the  Group  mascot,  traveling  in  one  plane  the 
entire  trip  back  to  Langley  Field,  Va.  Upon  landing  at  fields  enroute  to  the 
home  field,  the  pup  Would'  run  about  and  renew  old  acquaintances  with  the  other  I 
pilots  and  mechanics  of  the  .Group  until  the  motors  of  his  plane  were . started, 
whereupoh  it  Would  run  Over  to’ its  own  plane,  identifying' it  in  some  mysterious 
maimer,  and  beg  to  be  taken  aboard. 

Personnel  not  engaged' in  starting  motor's  would  take  their  cue  to  climb 
aboard  the  planes  from  the  actions  of” the  Group  mascot.  When  the  members  of  the 
Group  saw  the  pup  head  for  its  plane,  .they  knew  it  was  time  to  be  going  and.  they 
headed  for  their  own  planes. 

— oOo — ~ 

A1R5UAL  MACHINE  GUN  AND  BOMBING  MATCHES 

.-..'.The  annual  Machine  . Gun  and  Bombing  Matches  of  the  Army  Air  Corps  will  be 
held' a.t  Langley  Field,.  Va. , starting  Monday.-,  .September  1st  next. 

. ..  .-The  participants  will  include;  one  team  from  .each  Pursuit,  Bombardment, 
Attack  and  Observation  Squadron  in-  the  United 'States  and  the  Panama  Canal  Dept.; 
not  to  exceed  four  teams  from  the  Air  Corps  Training  Center;  not,  to  exceed  five 
teams;,  from  the  Air  Corps  at  Large;  not,  to  exceed  five  teams  from  the  National 
Guard  Air  Corps;  such  teams  as  may  be  designated  by  the. , Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
the  personnel  to  he  selected  from  the  Naval.  Air  Service  and  the  Marine  Corps 
Air  Ser.viee;  one  team  (Observation,  Attack,  Bombardment  or  Pursuit)  from  the 
Air  Corub  Tactical  School,  Langley  Field,  Va. ; Two  teams  (Observation,-  Attack,  ; 
Bombardment  or  Pursuit)  from  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio;  Two  teams  (Observation, 
Attack  or  Pursuit)  from  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  and  Boiling  Field. 

' Training  Regulations  440-40  will  govern  those  who-  are  qualified  to  partici- 
pate.-in  these  Matches.-." 

The:  Secretary  of  far  recently  addressed  a letter  ..to  the  Secretary  of  the 
•'Nayy  expressing  the  hope  that  it- will  be  possible  for  participants  from  the  Navy 

add1  Marine  Corns  td  enter  these  matches.  _ 

-143r-  ' V-6007,  A.C. 


THE  DEATH  OF  A POPULAR  YOUNG  AIR  CORPS  OFFICER 


The  airplane  collision  at  Langley  Field,  Va. , on  May  8th  which,  unfortu- 
nately, resulted  in  the  death  of  1st  Lieut.  Robert  J.  Frown,  Jr.,  deprived  the 
Air  Corps  of  a very  efficient  and  extremely  valuable  officer.  His  record  was 
a most  exceptional  one,  marked  as  it  was  by  unswerving  devotion  to  duty,  loyal- 
ty, energy,.. unusual  ability,  broad  vision  and  painstaking  effort.  He  possessed 
a most  pleasing  personality  and  his  unfailing  courtesy  and  gentlemanly  quali1- 
ties  won  him  a legion  of  friends,, 

. Lieut.  Brown  was  born  on  August  31,  1893,  at  Beverly,  Mass.  He  was  a stu- 
dent at  Yale,  Class  of  1918,  but  left  before  graduation  to  enlist  in  the 
Aviation  Section,  Signal  Enlisted  Reserve  Corps.  After  completing  his  ground 
school  training  at  the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology,  Cambridge,  Mass. , 
he  received  his  flying  training  at  Wilbur  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  and 
Ellington  Field,  Houston,  Texas,  and  was  commissioned  a 2nd  Lieutenant  on 
January  18,  1918  . Assigned  to  duty  at  Ellington  Field,  he  performed  valuable 
services  as  an  instructor  in  night  bombing  and  raiding  and  later  as  Officer  in 
Charge  of  Flying  Training.  Because  of  his  very  responsible  duties  and  the. ef- 
ficient manner  in  which  he  performed  them,  he  was  repeatedly  recommended  for 
promotion.  On  August  21,  193.8,  he  was  promoted  to.  1st  Lieutenant,  which  rank 
he  retained  when  he- was  commissioned  in  the  Air  Corns,  Regular  Army,  in 
July,  i920. : 

In  August,  1919,  Lieut.  Brown  was  assigned  to  the  Training  and  Operations 
Division  in  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  Washington,  and  the  ex- 
ceptional manner  in  which  he  performed  the  many  difficult,  and  very  important 
functions  assigned  to  him  won  the  praise  and  high  commendation  of  his  super- 
iors,. As  Chairman  of  the  Around- the-World  Flight  Committee,  he  personally- 
worked  out  many  of  the  details  of  that  most  notable  Air  Corps  achievernsut . 

Upon  the  expiration  of  his  four- year  detail  in  Washington,  Lieut.,  Brown  was 
assigned  to  duty  with  the  Organized  Reserves  of  the  First  Corps  Area,  with,  sta- 
tion at  the  Boston  Airport.-  This  detail  was  followed  by  a tour  of  duty  for 
three  years  in  the  Hawaiian  Department , and  upon  his  return  to.  the  United.  States 
he  was  assigned  to  duty  as  a student  at  the  Air  Corps  Tactical  School,  Langley 
Field,  Ta.  ; 

The  untimely  death  of  this  beloved  Air  Corps  officer  left  a host  of  sorrow- 
ing friends,  and  our  most  sincere  sympathy  is  extended  to  his  bereaved  family. 

Funeral  services  were  held  at  Arlington  Cemetery  on- the-  morning  of  April 
12th.  In  addition  to  the  pallbearers  and  other  Air.  Corps off icers  from  Langley 
'Field  and  Washington  who  assembled  there  to  pay  their  respects,  there .were  .the 
Siamese  Minister  to  this  country  with  Captain  Deves  (a  Siamese  officer-student 
at  the  Tactical  School)  and  Assistant  .Secretary  of  far:F.  Trubee  Davison,  a 
former  classmate  and  fraternity  brother  of  Lieut.  Brown* s at  Yale  University. 

■ oOo — - 

"THE  FIREFLIES" 

One  of  the  most  spectacular  features  of- the  Army  Air  Corps  activities  on 
the  West  Coast  during  April  was  the  flight  of  three  illuminated  Curtiss  Falcon 
Observation  (0-1-E)  planes  known  as  the  "Fireflies."  Beneath  the  lower; wings 
and  down  the  fuselage  and  across  the  horizontal  stabilizers  were  strung  a line 
of  red,  white  and  blue  automobile  tail  lamps,  alternately  placed.  Each. color 
was  controlled  by  a switch-  in  the  pilot1 s cockpit,  placed  on  the  right  side  of 
the  instrument  board.  « 

Several  flights  were  made,  two  from  Mather  Field  and  one  from'  the  United 
Airport  at  Burbank,  Calif.  On  one  flight  from.  Mather  Field  the  formation  spent 
two  and  one-half  hours  in  the  air  and  covered  all  towns  and'  cities  included 
within  the  quadrangle  of  Sacramento,  Petaluma,  San  Francisco,  Stockton  and 
Sacramento,  even  in.  the  face  of  blankets  of  fog  over  San  Pablo  Bay  and  bad  ground 
haze  at  several  other  points. 

Flying  a close  formation,  the  two  flank  pilots  could  see  the  leading  pilot's 
hand  reach  for  a certain  switch,  as  he  kept  on  his  cockpit  light,  thus  making  his 
movements  discernible  to  the  two  other  pilots.  Being  t£).us  prepared  for  a -change 
in  colors,  the  whole  formation  switched  on  and  off  each  color  in  rotation  with 
perfect  synchronization..  The  normal  formation  flown  was  the  usual  V-type  one, 
alternated ;at. times  with  the  three  planes  abreast,  at  which  time  one  plane  showed 
red,  the  middle  one  white  and  the  other  blue. 

The  three  "Fireflies"  were  Captain  E.M.  McClelland,  Lieuts.  -Roland  Bimn 
and  W.A.R.  Robertson. 


-144- 


35-6007,  A. C. 


KGTES  FROM  AIR  CORPS'  FIELDS 
0O0 


Nichols  Field,  Kizal,  P.I.,  April  3rd : 

66  th . Service  Squadron:  Capt . Charles  A.  Purs  ley,  relieved,  as  C.O.,  is  tak- 
ing advantage  of  detached  service  at  Camp  John  Hay  for  a short  period  after 
which  he  will  travel  in  China  and  Japan.  Capt.  W.O.  Butler  assumed’  command  of 
the  66th. 

Lieut.  Charles  Douglas  leaves  on  the  1st  for  a 30-day  course  at  the  Cooks  1 
and  Bakers  School,  Fort  McKinley, 

Among  those  who  left  the  squadron  on  the  last  transport  were  Staff  Sgts. 
Cathie,  Kiddy  Lindsey  and  Morris.  Famous  last  words  were, "I’ll  he  hack" . j 

The  regular  "Short -Timers"  Dinner  was  held  on  March  2d,  and  again  the  Mess  j 
Sergeant  and  his  staff  put  on  a feed  fit  for. a king.  ' . - 

2d  Observation  Squadron;  Progress  is  being  made  in  the  erection  of  our 
long  anticipated  mess  hall  and  barracks*  The  foundation  is  finished  and  the 
superstructure  is  being  raised. 

Our  Athletic  Officer,  Lieut.  Yeager,  won  another  trophy  when  he  mistook 
the  field  for  a pond  and  landed  an  Amphibian  with  the  wheels  up.  Nothing  was 
damaged,  however,  and  the  "Dumb-bell"  Prize,  is  sagely  stored  among  his  souven- 
irs.- • • 

Our  squadron  was  strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  23  .men  on  the  March  trans-  ( 
port,  including  Tech.Sgt.  Riley,  Staff  Sgt.  Wilcox,  Sgts.  Craft  and  Sparling. 
These  men  now  fill  the  vacancies  caused  by  the  departure  of  men  returning  to 
the  U.S, 

The  2d. is  still  engaged  in  the  annual  aerial  gunnery.  The  low  altitude 
bombing  is  finished,  with  Lieut.  Kennedy  coming  from  behind  to ..-make  the  high 
record  score  of  218.’  Lieut.  Shea  was  a close  second  with  216. 

Tail  wheels  were  installed  on  the  02~H  airplanes  during  the  month.  Lieut. 
Kelly  tested  the  first  one  installed  and  had  nearly  the  whole  field  for  an 
audience  while  doing  so. 

Nine  planes  from  this  squadron  welcomed  the  transport  "Grant"  on  the  3d. 

Our  new  C.O.,  Major.  Henry  W.  Harms,  was  aboard-.  • ■ 

■ 28th  Bombardment  'Squadron;  The  arrival  of  the  hot-  season  brings  the  usual 
exodus  of  personnel,  to  Camp  John  Hay. 

Our  basket-bail  team,  .having  won  the  Post  championship  and  cup  for  the  past 
two -years,,  we  see  no  reason  why  we  should  net  continue  our  march  to  victory. 

Scott  Field,  Belleville,  111..  April  21st ; 

Camera  Obscura  training  preparatory  to  bombing*  and  bombing  practice  has 
again  been  incorporated  in  the  daily  schedule  of  activities.  It  is  expected 
that  a high  percentage  of  pilots  will  he  qualified  this  season  as  expert  bombers, 

Capt.  Hal  C.  Head,  Chaplains  Corps,  departed  this  week  to  join  his  new 
station  .at  Fort  Slocum,  Nett  York. 

The  enthusiasm  displayed  by  the  members  of  the  different  companies  which 
turned  out  for  the  first  baseball  practice  of  the  season  indicates  that  the 
competition  will  ho  strong  in  the  inter-company  league  and  that  a good  Post 
team  will  he  developed. 

Luke  Field,  T .H.  * April  14th:  ■ 

Seven  of  the  men  who  completed  the  course  for  flying  cadets  at  Kelly  Field,  ( 
Texas,  and  were  given  Reserve  Commissions  in  the  Air  Corps  Reserve,  arrived  on 
the' March  21st.  boat  for  one,  year  Vs  active  duty.  Four  of  these  officers  special- 
ized in  Bombardment  Aviation  during  the  last  four  months  of  their  training  and 
were  assigned  to  Bombardment.  Squadrons -.  They  are  2nd  Lieut s.  Tallmadge  Leslie 
Boyd  of  Washington,  D.C.g  Joseph  jE&rnum  Stanley,  Jr.,  of  Memphis,  Tenn . ; John 
Hubert  Davies  of  Oakland,  Calif.;  and  Theodore  Bernard  Anderson  of  Hammond, Orog. 
The  others  specialized  in  Observation -Aviation  and  were  assigned  to  Observation 
Squadrons,  These  include  2nd  Lieut s.  James  McKinzie  Thompson  of  Groesbeck, 

Texas,  Edward  Rawl  ins- -of' -'-Tracy,  LMinruv.  and  Ivan  Morris  .At  ter  bury,  of  Oregon. 

Lieut.  James  C.  Shively  returned  to  the  mainland  on  April  1st  and,  after 
tald.qg  advantage  of  a leave  of  absence,  v/ill  report  to  Langley  Field  for  duty. 

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Lieut.  Laird  left  on  the  "Cambrai" , April  1st,  for  duty  as  an  Observer 
during  the  Air  Corps  maneuvers  in  California.  On  his  return  he  will  give  talks 
on  the  maneuvers  for  the  benefit  of  Air  Corps  personnel  here.  It  is  believed 
that  the  extensive  maneuvers  on  the  Coast  may  reveal  information  on  operations 
and  tactics  that  will  be  of  value  in  the  training  of  local  Air  Corps  units. 

The  Inter-Squadron  Baseball  League  is  developing  many  new  players  who  will 
be  seen  later  in  the  year  in  Sector-Navy  competition.  At  present  the  Sixty- 
Fifth  Squadron  is  leading,  but  the  Fourth  is  close  behind  and  may  cause  them 
considerable  trouble  and  worry  before  the  season  is  over.  Although  the  Luke 
Field  entry  in  Sector-Navy  competition  last  year  encountered  tough  luck  when 
Moses  was  killed  in  July,  and  later  when  Tarpley  broke  his  ankle  at  Shaftcr, 
they  fought  right  through  to  the.  end  of  the  season.  Several  of  the  older  men, 
who  have  made  Luke  Field  feared  by  all  the  other  teams  of  the  Sector,  returned 
to  the  mainland  for  duty,  but  the  vacant  planes  on  the  team  are  sure  to  be 
capably  filled. 

4-3d  Division  Air  Service,  Connecticut  National  Guard : 

Last  week  Major  Luke  Christopher  hopped  from  Washington  to  inject  a little 
ginger  into  the  N.A.A.,  of  which  he  is  chairman  of  the  Contest  Committee.  For 
the  same  purpose  from  New  York  came  Hon.  William  P.  MacCracken,  formerly  Ass* t 
Secretary  of  Commerce  for  Aeronautics.  A formation  of  three  ships  met  him  at 
Bridgeport  and  escorted  him  to  Hartford.  Governor  Trumbull,  the  only  extant 
flying  Executive,  and  General  Ladd,  our  former  C.O.,  were  also  present. 

Capt . Harry  Generous  and  Sgt . Leo  Demi j an  flew  to  Detroit  to  attend  the 
Aircraft  Show,  April  4th  to  9th. 

So  many  high  class  men  are  desirous  of  enlisting  that  a special  recruit 
class  was  formed.  This  class  meets  every  week  under  the  watchful  eye  of  a 
drill  sergeant.  As  fast  as  a vacancy  occurs,  one  of  the  men  of  this  class  is 
enlisted.  At  the  same  time,  if  any  of  this  class  does  not  show  real  stuff, 
he  is  dropped,  and  thus  what  might  have  become  dead  wood  is  kept  out  of  the 
Squadron. 

Bolling  Field.  Anacostia,  D.C.,  May  2nd: 

Recent  assignments  to  Bolling  Field  include  1st  Lieut.  C.W.  Ccusland, 
transferred  from  Ft.  Sill,  Okla.,  and.  1st  Lieut.  C.H.  Welch,  transferred  from 
the  Canal  Zone. 

Maj.  H.C.  Davidson  departed  on  leave  of  absence  on  April  10th  for  a tour 
of  Turkey  and  the  Near  East.  During  his  absence,  the  Post  is  commanded  by 
Capt.  Ernest  Clark. 

On  April  7th,  £ fire  of  unknown  origin  broke  out  in  the  Parachute  Hut 
about  4:45  P.M.,  rapidly  spreading  to  Hangar  4 and  destroying  both  buildings. 

A strong  wind  was  blowing  at  the  time  and  only  the  prompt  and  efficient  work 
of  the  District  Eire  Department  and  Post  personnel  prevented  the  fire  from 
spreading  to  other  nearby  buildings. 

The  Post  baseball  team  is  rapidly  rounding  into  shape  under  the  able  guid- 
ance of  Lieut.  Ccusland,  former  West  Point  first  string  catcher. 

Among  those  who  have  returned  from  the  Air  Corps  Maneuvers  at  Mather  Eield 
Calif.,  are:  Col.' Culver,  G.S.,  Air  Corps;  Lieuts.  Merrick,  Robertson  and 
Birnn  with  Major  Griswold,  G.S.,  as  passenger. 

Lieut.  Whitten  and  M. Sgt.  Peterson,  of  the  Inspection  Division,  returned 
from  an  inspection  tour  of  the  west  and  southwest  on  April  25th. 

Staff  Sgt.  Kerr,  Chief  Clerk  in  the  Operations  Office  for  the  last  two 
years  is  leaving  on  the  May  transport  for  station  in  the  Philippines.  Best 
wishes,  Sergeant,  for  a pleasant  voyage. 

40th  Division  Aviation, Calif . Nat1!  Guard. Griffith  Park,  Los  Angeles. Calif . : 

Lieuts.  Noe  and  Wallen  of  this  Squadron,  were  recent  guests  of  Col.  Orr, 
the  flying  Colonel  of  the  40th  Division  Staff.  Col.  Orr  has  a beautiful  home 
near  the  Alameda,  Calif.  Airport.  The  estate  in  the  rear  of  the  house  is  beau- 
tifully landscaped  in  lawn,  shrubs  and  flowers,  and  a winding  trail  leads  to 
a most  unique  cabin  which  the  Colonel  has  named  "The  Hangar".  This  is  fitted 
up  very  comfortably  with  a large  fireplace,  brick  floor,  couches,  easy  chairs, 
and  the  walls  are  covered  with  pictures  and  trophies  the  Colonel  brought  back 

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from  France.  Col.  Orr  has  extended  a hearty  invitation  to  the  officers  of  the 
t'h  sj..  . i:.  ion  Aviation  to  yl'it  him  and  rake:  the  Ubryar  their  headquarters  any- 
time they  are  in -the  Bay  region.  Lie.uts.  Hoe  and  Wallen,  who  enjoyed  themselves 
otherwise,  give  this  warning,  however,-  "Beware  the  Dog". 

Ma j . Jeffers,  Commanding,  recent ly  appeared  Before  a special  meeting  of 
the  Los.  Angeles  County  Board  of  Supervisors  and  went  into  a huddle  with  the 
Fathers  regarding  the  matter  of  a series  of  projected  County  airports  in  this 
vicinity.  The  Major  was  well  fortified  with  a complete  file  of  aerial  sketches 
and  reports  on  these  sites,  the  information  having  been  gathered  and  compiled 
by  the  members  of  the  Squadron.  A public  report  of  the  findings  of  the  Board 
has  not  been  released. 

On  a recent  Monday  night  drill  period,  the  Communications  Section  of  the 
115th  Observation,  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Miller,  was  in  short  wave  com- 
munication with  the  Communications  of  the  160th  Infantry,  Calif.  Uat’l  Guard, 
during  their  drill  period  at  the  Los  Angeles  Armory.  The  information  exchanged 
is  said  to  be  a deep  military  secret. 

Two  of  the  officers  of  this  Squadron  were  added  to  the  pilot  staff  of 
Western  Air  Express,  - Capt.  Sherwood  and  Lieut.  Chappellet.  Lieut.  Allah 
Barrie,  our  Operations  Officer,  is  also  with  Western  Air. 

Our  field  at  Griffith  Park?  thanks  to  plentiful  spring  rains,  now  presents 
a lovely,  green,  smooth  appearance,  - apparently  the  perfect  landing  field. 

The  Air  Corps  Provisional  Wing,  which  operated  at  Mather  Field,  Sacramento,  was 
scheduled  to  visit  Los  Angeles  on  or  about  April  26th  to  demonstrate  to  the 
local  taxpayers  that  Uncle  Sam  really  has  an  Air  Service.  The  operations  here 
are  to  be  based  at  Boeing’s  United  Airport,  at  Burbank,  near  our  field.  We 
are  all  praying  that  the  pilots  of  the  Pursuit  and  Bombing  hail  from  Missouri, 
as  our  luxuriant  carpet  of  green  grass  conceals  several  bad  holes  and  ditches 
which  are  marked,  but  not  too  apparent  to  a strange  pilot.  There  is  enough 
forage  on  this  field  to  keep  six  cows  busy  for  six  months,  - so  we  hope  that 
some  farmer  will  please  note. 

Speaking  of  the  Air  Corps  concentration  at  Mather  Field,  Lieut.  Carroll, 
who  just  returned  from  a two -day  visit  there,  reports  that  the  old  war-time 
flying  field,  which  until  ten  days  ago  had  not  seen  any  ■ 'Army  activity  for  many 
years,  now  has  all  the  appearances  of  a great  war-time  camp  again.  The  barracks 
and  quarters  have  been  opened  and  fitted  up  for  the  month,  a civilian  concession 
is  handling  the  messing,  the  field  swarms  with  activity  and  the  some  150  ships 
of  all  types  make. "the  line"  look  like  old  times,-  with  this  difference,  that 
the  former  Jennies  and  DH’s  are  AWOL. 

112th  Observation  Squadron.  Ohio  national  Guard.  Cleveland,  Ohio : 

The  112th  Association,  the  social  organization  of  officers  and  men  of  the 
112th  Observation  Squadron,  Ohio  national  Guard,  stationed  at  Cleveland,  gave 
one  of  its  inimitable  entertainments  recently,  in  which  a number  cf  "eole’ed 
gen’men"  swapped  punches  in  a ring  of  regulation:  size  for  the  edification  and 
delight  of  several  hundred  enthusiastic  rooters. 

The  bouts  represented  one  of  a series  of , attractions  that  are  being  given 
at  the  Squadron’ s hangar  on  the  Municipal  Airport  to  promote  good  fellowship 
and  good  will  between  officers  and  men,  to  afford  an  opportunity  for  civilians 
to  enlist  in  the  unit  and  to  show  special  guests  that  the  112th  Association  is 
one  of  the  liveliest'  of  military  social  organizations. 

There  were  three  bouts  of  three  rounds  each  and  a finale  (bat tie -royal) 
that  was  a knockout  in  more  ways  than  one.  In  this  last  set-to  about  eight 
men  entered  the  rope-enclosed  ring,  including  those  who  had  participated  in 
the  preceding  bouts,  which  were  refereed  by  Maj.  Chief  Meyers,  107th  Cavalry. 

After  a few  minutes  of  fighting  in  which  blows  were  e xchanged  with  the 
rapidity  of  machine  gunfire,  most  of  the  boxers,  goffy-eyed  and  totally  ob- 
livious to  their  surroundings , were  being  dragged  to  safety  by  friendly  hands. 

The  winner,  a tall,  dark-skinned  boy,  who,  unlike  his  foes,  had  never 
smiled  throughout  the  contests,  was  decided  shortly  afterward. 

Incidentally  he  made  Lieut.  S .¥.  (’’Ernie")  Lofquist  richer  and  Lieut.  Jack 
Gill,  parachute  officer,  poorer;  this  bet  being  the  chief  reason  for  the 
battle  royal. 

Maj.  "Tommy"  Herbert,  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Squadron,  who  practices 
law  on  the  side  for  the  Ohio  Attorney-General,  watched  the  scraps  from  a point 
of  vantage  and  afterwards  declared  they  wore  among  the  best  that  had  been 
staged  in  the  hangar. 

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i 


San  Antonio  Air  De-oct,  Duncan  Field,  Texas,  April  39th: 

Capt . S.J.  Idzorek,  accompanied  by  2nd  Lieut.  T.H.  Landon,  of  the  3d  At- 
tack Group  at  Ft.  Crockett,  Texas,  visited  the  Depot  on  April  8th,  by  air. 

Capt.  Walter  H.  Reid,  A.C.(DOL),  Instructor  with  the  36th  Division  Aviation 
Texas  National  Guard,  Houston,  Texas,  was  a visiter  at  this  Depot  on  April  10th, 
and  again  on.  the  28th  and  29th,  bringing  in  planes  for  overhaul  and  ferrying 
back  others  for  delivery  to  the  Texas  National  Guard.  On  his  last  visit  he  was 
accompanied  by  Capt.  Fred.  V.  Willbur,  Texas  National  Guard  Air  Corps,  of  Hous- 
ton, son  of  the  Mr.  Willbur,  who  is  prominent  on  the  editorial  staff  of  the 
HOUSTON  CRONICLE  and  is  one  of  the  promoters  of  the  Litchfield  Trophy  Balloon 
Races  to  be  held  in  Houston  in  the  early  part  of  June  of  this  year. 

1st  Lieut.  L.P.  Whitten,  of  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  ac- 
companied by  Tech.  Sgt.  C.S.  Peterson,  A.C.,  en  route  to  Bolling  Field  in  an 
02-A,  stopped  over  at  this  Depot,  April  21st  to  23d  for  miscellaneous  repairs 
to  their  plane. 

1st  Lieut.  E.V.  Ear beck  of  this  Depot  was  a visitor  in  Houston,  Texas,  on 
cross-country,  over  the  week-end  of  April  ISth  to  20th. 

A group  of  about  thirty-five  Student  Officers  and  Flying  Cadets  of  the 
present  class  of  the  Air  Corps  Advanced  Flying  School,  Kelly  Field,  made  a tour 
of  inspection  through  this  Depot  on  April  29th,  in  charge  of  Lieut.  Mallory  of 
that  station,  in  connection  with  their  course  of  instruction. 

The  Duncan  Field  Officers*  Club  inaugurated  a Croquet  Ground,  a Horseshoe- 
Pitching  Court,  and  a Putting  Green,  and  intense  rivalry  is  manifesting  itself 
among  the  officers  of  the  Pest  in  swinging  a wicked  croquet  mallet,  hurling 
sure-fire  "ringers" , etc.  All  comers  are  challenged. 

During  the  month  of  March  the  following  airplanes  and  engines  were  over- 
hauled and  repaired  by  the  Engineering  Department  of  the  Depot:-  Airplanes, 
overhauled  - 5 A-3,  1 A-3A,  1 LB-5,  1 C-l-C,  1 DH-4M-1,  1 DH-4M-2,  1 DH-4M-2K, 

2 DH-4M-2P,  1 DH-4M-2T,  1 0-17,  2 Pl-D,  1 Pl-E,  1 PT-1,  4 PT-3,  2 PT-3A,  total 
25:  Airnlanes,  miscellaneous  renair  - 1 LB-5A,  2 C-9,  1 02-E,  1 02-J,  1 02-K, 

1 02-M3 , 1 PT-3 A,  total  8. 

Engines,  major  overhaul  - 30  Curtiss  D-12,  15  Wright  J-5,  4 Wright  J-6, 
total,  :49.  Engines,  minor  overhaul  - 26  Liberty,  3 Curtiss  D-12,  1 Gurtiss- 
R-600,  1 Wright  E,  total  31. 

28th  Bomb.  Squadron,  Nichols  Field,  Rizal,  P.I.,  April  2d: 

The  recent  arrival  of  the  U.S.A.T.  "Grant"  was  the  principal  event  of 
interest -at.  Nichols  Field  this  month.  We  received  Staff  Sgts.  Martin,  Jack 
Wolfe,  Fields. and  Harvey  as  replacements  for  Staff  Sgts.  Crawford  and  Butler 
who  returned  to  the  States  and  Staff  Sgts.  Mullenix  and  Krogstad,  who  were 
transferred  to  the  66th  Service  Squadron.  We  also  received  our  usual  allotment 
of . other  grades . . 

During  the  .month  we  carried  out  a number  of  missions,  cooperating  with  the 
Coast  Artillery  and  other  branches,  on  the  Rock.  We  also  had  a number  'of  bomb- 
ing missions  scheduled  which  we  were  unable  to  carry  cut,  as  our  L.B.’s  were 
grounded  for  further  bracing. 

The  Squadron  Commander,  Capt.  Brock,  departed  on  the  1st  for  a tour  of  de- 
tached service  at  Camp  John  Hay.  In  his  absence  1st  Lieut . (Slim)  Morris  took 
command  and  is  expected  to  display  his  usual  energy  and  vigor  while  C.O.  Staff 
Sgt.  Peaches  Browning  was  appointed  1st  Sgt.,  vice  1st  Sgt.  Mori-arty,  who  re- 
verted to  his  original  grade  of  sergeant.  Pvt.  A.M.  1st  Class  Way  was  appoint- 
ed Cpl.  We  understand  that  Buddy  Crawford  was  assigned  to  Chanute  and  everyone 
would  like  to  hear  how  he  likes  it. 

Mitchel  Field,  Long  Island,  N.Y.,  April  17th: 

The  personnel  here  are  bemoaning  the  fact  that  they  were  excluded  from 
the  Maneuvers  at  Mather  Field.  Some  have  dissapated  their  gloom  by  reconciling 
themselves  to  the  very  evident  fa.ct  that- Observation  Aviation  would  not  and 
could  not  play  an  important  part  in  maneuvers  which  are  strictly  concerned  with 
the  deployment  of  the  "forces"  of  the  air. 

We  have  been  lurking  in  ambush  for  just  such  a time  as  these  maneuvers  in 
which  we  might  not  only  have  proved  our  efficiency  as  an  Observation  Unit,  but 
also  as  a. combatant  arm  in  case  the  need  should  arise.  Just  as  the  different 

-148-  V-6007, A.C . 


tranches  are  new  simulating  problems  in  aerial  warfare  at  Mather  Field,  so 
could  we  have  simulated  problems  which  would  have  facilitated  the  movements 
of  the  others  as  well  as  being  invaluable  experience  for  us. 

From  a purely  altruistic  point  of  view  we  would  have  liked  the  idea  of 
participating  in  the  maneuvers  in  order  that  we  might  have  proved  to  a seemingly  1 
skeptical  audience  that  the  ninth  Group  has  something  to.  offer,  and  can  operate 
to  quite  a satisfactory  degree  of  efficiency  in  the  field.  All  we  need  is  an 
invitation,  and  it  doesn’t  have  to  be  engraved  eitherl 

Lieut.  Hez  McClellan  left  Mitchel  Field  in  an  01-E  for  the  Maneuvers  at 
Mather  Field,  with  Clayton  Knight,  the  famous  artist  and  airplane  Illustrator, 
as  a passenger.  Mr.  Knight  expects  to  sketch  Army  airplanes  during  the  rest  of 
the  Maneuvers. 

Maj.  Ryan  followed  him  in  several  days  later  with  Col.  Peter  Brady  as  a 
passenger.: 

Ships  from  the  1st  Squadron  cooperated  in  an  extensive  search  for  the  miss-  I 
ing  Cm-tiss  student  who  was  lost  the  early  part  of  the  week.  As  yet,  no  defi- 
nite information  has  been  unearthed  as  tc  his  whereabouts. 

Mitchel  Field,  Long  Island,  H.Y.,  April  3d: 

The  Field  was  in  a maelstrom  of  moving. activities  for  the  last  week  or  so, 
and  now  that  the  furor  has  abated  somewhat  it  is  more  or  less  evident  that  two 
more  squadrons  and  .the  Headquarters  Detachment  have  finally  quit  their  old  ram- 
shackle shelters  for  their  new  and  quite  luxurious  abodes  (luxurious  by  com- 
parison) . 

The  new  barracks  mark  the  beginning  of  a new  era  for  Mitchel  Field  - at 
least  we  hope  that  this  progressive  trend  will  continue  until  all  the  old  un- 
sightly buildings  have  come  down.  Being  so  urbanly  situated  as  it  is,  and  in 
the  midst  of  one  .of  the  most  prominent  and  beautiful  sections  of  Long  Island, 
it  should  be  put  in  keeping  with  the  surroundings.  • ••■.'./ 

For  advice  on  how  to-' move  a,  squadron,  get  in  touch  with  Eddie  House'.  Even  , 
for  such  a short  distance  as  this  there  are  a few  of.  those  finer  points  to  be 
observed  that  Eddie  alone  can  explain.  If,  upon  finishing  the. interview,  you 
haven’t  been  brained  with- a stray ' soup  ladel  for. .as  much  as  mentioning  the  sub-  j 
ject’y  you.1 11.  undoubtedly  go  away  with  a few  priceless  gems  of  knowledge,  pr 
maybe  a few  choice  epitaphs  to  add  to  your  repertory. 

An  unusually  attractive  dumb-bell  was  recently  resurrected  from  the  ar- 
chives and  polished  until  all  of. its  original  splender  has  been  revived;,  the 
only  thing  needed  now  is  an  owner. 

At  present  it-.. is  residing  in  Major  Rj^an!  5.  office,  and  it  is  only  a matter 
of  days  before  someone  will  be  the  proud  possessor.  The  only  trouble,  says  Maj. 1 
Ryan,  is  that  competition  is  too  keen  at  present  and  the  rendering  of  an  im-  I: 
partial  decipipn  is  almost  an  impossibility.  Capone’s  cohorts  from,  the  5th 
Squadron,  who  have  been  accused  of  ^sinking  bupys,  think  it  belongs  to  one  of 
their  number,  but  they  are  being  pressed  hard  by  Lieut.  Eble,  who  shot  a hole 
in  a hangar  wall,.  The  escapades  of  these  two  parties,  however,  have  been  ap- 
preciably dimmed  by  the  great  navigation  flight,  in  which  four  PT’s,  Middletown 
bound,  .and  led  by  the  keen-eyed  Yfarrant  Officer  Dodd,  flew  completely  off  their 
strip  map  and  finalljr  ended  up  at  Aberdeen  down  on.  the  - Chesapeake  with  the 
same  keen-eyed  Mr.  Dodd  rejoicing,  on  finally  Having  made  Middle  town -go  ing  so 
far  as  to  write  "Mitchel  to  Middletown"  on  his  Form  1. 

A Fordson  tractor  has  been  getting  in  more  time  out  on  the  flying  field 
than  any  of  us.  It  is  there  when  we  go  out  and.  is  still  chugging  away  when,  we 
leave.  A particularly  rougH  spot  on  the.  field  directly  in  front  of  Operations 
was  proving  a hazard  to  taking  ships,  so  at'  the'  suggestion  of  "Hungry"  Gates 
the  tractor  was  put  to  work  ploughing  up  the. spot.  An  Illinois  farmer  would 
have  been  envious  of  the  straight ly  mowed  lanes,  and  it  was  the  belief  of  every- 
one that  before  long  fresh  vegetables  and  perhaps  a few  carnations  would  come;, 
sprouting  up.  The  place  has  been  leveled  off  now,  and  it  shouldn’t  be  long, 
with  the  help  of  a few  spring  rains,  before  the  first  of  watermelons  start  to 
grow.  , 

A certain  gentleman  made  an  emergency  landing  in 'a  field  which  proved  to 
be  rough  enough  to  do  some  slight- damage  to  the  ship,  and  when  he  returned  he 
was  taken  in  tow  by  his  superior  and  made  to  point  out  .the  field  on  a map. 

After  being  severely  reprimanded  for  his  poor  judgment. he  was  asked  the  follow- 
ing question: 

-149- 


V-6007,A.C 


"Why  in  tlie  devil  did  you  land  in  that  field?  Why  didn’t  you  land  in 
that  Mg  field  right  next  to  it  - the  one  hounded  by  that  line?  " 

Whereupon  he  replied: 

"Well,  I would  have,  sir,  but  you  see  the  trouble  is  that  lino  is  a contour 

And  then  they  called  it  a day. 

Col.  and  Mrs.  Howard  loft  the  field  for  a fifteen-day  visit  .in  San  Antonio. 
The  Texas  spring  is  certainly  much  more  enjoyable  than  these  howling  March  winds 
we’ve  been  having  here. 

Lieut.  Clarence  Mower  and  Miss  Trash  were  married  on  March  28th.,  The  cere- 
mony and  reception  were  held  in  Col.  Howard' s quarters.  Many  a feminine  heart 
fluttered  when  they  marched  under  the  sabre  arch,  and  many  a bachelor  heaved  a 
sigh  and  plodded  on  his  solitary  way  back  to  the  "haunted  house"  - that  haven 
for  single  male s , 

Pardoe  Martin  recently  flow  to  Arcadia,  Fla.,  to  visit  a daughter  who  has 
been  taken  quite  seriously  ill.  We  understand  the  trip  was  a success,  because 
a marked  improvement  was  soen  in  his  daughter,  and  we  all  hope  she  continues 
on  the  road  to  a quick  recovery. 

120th  Observation  Squadron,  Colo,  national  G-uard,  Denver,  Colo. : 

March  was  a busy  month  for  the  120th  Observation  Squadron,  outside  of  the 
regular  routine  of  drills  and  classes.  Radio  classes  are  being  held  four  nights 
a week  to  enable  every  officer  to  qualify  on  radio  before  the  next  annual  en- 
campment in  June. 

Late  in  March,  three  bandits,  who  were  more  desperate  than  they  were  clever 
robbed  a bank  at  Manter,  and  in  their  attempted  get-away  killed  one  deputy 
sheriff  and  wounded  another  at  Eads,  Colo.  Under  orders  of  the  Governor,  Lieuts 
Beau  and  Braddick  were  dispatched  to  Burlington,  Colo.,  with  a Douglas  02-H, 
equipped  with,  radio,  to  operate  with  the  sheriff  of  Kit  Carson  County  and  the 
local  National  Guard  Infantry  Company.  The  peaceable  surrender  of  the  bandits 
to  officers  in  Kansas  before  Lieuts.  Beau  and  Braddick  reached  Burlington  pre- 
vented the  officers  from  aiding  in  the  search. 

In  addition  to  a number  of  radio  missions,  several  of  the  officers  trained 
themselves  in  cross-ccuntry  work:  during  the  month.  Capt.  Reavis  and  Lieut. 

Junk  flew  to  Longmont;  Lieut.  Braddick,  to  Eads,  to  Lamar,  to  Walsenburg,  to 
Pueblo  and  back  to  Denver  in  one  day;  Lieut.  Hunter,  to  Fueblo;  Capt.  Mumey,  to 
Cheyenne  and  Pueblo  and  Lieut.  Beau  ferried  Douglas  02-H  #28,351  to  San  Antonio 
and  returned  with  Douglas  02-H  #23349. 


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Y-6007„A.C 


' 


VOL.  XIV 


JUNE  9,  1930 


NO.  7 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 
0O0 


Page 

The  Army  Industrial  College 151  - 152 

Mimic  Warfare  at  Los  Angeles  153 

Participation  of  First  Pursuit  Group  in  Mather  Field  Exercises  . . 154  - 155 

Colorado  National  Guard  Airmen  Greet  First  Pursuit  Group  155  - 156 

Provisional  Wing  Visits  Rockwell  Field  156 

Caution  to  Pilots  Approaching  March  Field 156 

Enlisted  Men  Appointed  Flying  Cadets  157 

Mitchel  Field  Officer  Wins  Dumb  ell  Trophy 157 

Skillful  Piloting  Averts  Catastrophe  158 

Army  Airmen  in  Hawaii  Participate  in  Maneuvers 158 

Air  Corps  Officers  Assigned  to  Industrial  College 158 

Corps  Area  Commander  Pleased  with  Inspection  of  Scott  Field.  . . . 158 

Rockwell  Field  Pilots  Stage  Flying  Exhibition  for  Convention  . . . 159 

Valuable  Information  for  Those  Interested  in  Aviation 159 

Dedication  of  Hatbox  Field 159  - 160 

Cleveland  Airport  Has  Many  Aerial  Visitors  160 

Balloon  Race  to  Start  Independence  Day 160 

July  Class  for  Primary  Flying  Schools  Selected 161  - 163 

Indiana  National  Guard  Air  Men  Commended  for  Relief  Work 163 

Personnel  Changes  at  March  Field  163 

Contact  Courses  Established  in  Hawaiian  Dept 163  - 164 

Construction  Work  at  Mitchel  Field 164 

Old  Photographs  Available 164 

Mitchel  Field  Pilots  Aid  Cupid 164 

M0re  Candidates  Initiated  into  the  Caterpillar  Club 165  - 166 

War  Department  Orders  Affecting  Air  Corps  Officers 167  - 168 

Lieut.  Matheny  Presented  with  Cheney  Award 168 

Notes  from  Air  Corps  Fields 169 


V-6012,A.C. 


AIR 


CORPS 


NEWS 


NO.  7 


VOI.  XIV 

Information  Division 
Air  Corps 


June  9 1950* 


Munitions  Building 
Washington,  D.C. 


Ihe  chief  purpose  of  this  publication  is  to  distribute  information  on 
aeronautics  to  the  flying  personnel  in  the  Regular  Army,  Reserve  Corps,  National 
Guard,  and  others  connected  with  aviation. 

— oOo 


THE  ARMY  INDUSTRIAL  COLLEGE 
By  Lieut.  John  S.  Gullet,  Air  Corps 

Foreword: 

The  Army  Industrial  College  is  the  youngest  and,  from  the  standpoint  of 
its  potentialities,  .one  of  the  most  important  links  in  the  Army  educational 
system.  It  is  a logical  and  inevitable  development  of  the  World  War.  Although 
only  six  years  old,  it  has  established  itself  firmly  and  has  aroused  favorable 
comment  both  from  within  and  without  the  service,  especially  from  those  leaders 
of  industry  who  struggled  with  the  munitions  problem  of  the  late  war.  The  Army 
Industrial  College,,  together  with  the  Command  and  General  Staff  School  and  the 
Army  War  College,  is  listed  as  a General  Service  School. 

Historical 

The  inception  of  the  idea  of  an  Industrial  College  for  the  Army  maybe  said 
to  date  from  the  passage  of  the  National  Defense  Act  in  1920.  This  Act  recog- 
nized the  fact  that  the  mobilization  of  industry  and  material  resources  is  of 
paramount,  importance,  and  placed  upon  the  Assistant  Secretary  of  War  the  respon- 
sibility of  assuring  adequate  provision  for  such  mobilization  of  industry  and 
of  supervising  the.  actual  procurement  in  an  emergency. 

In  carrying  out  his.  duties  under  the  Act,  the  Assistant  Secretary  of  War 
first  established  in  his  office  an  Army  Industrial  Staff  or  Planning  Branch,  as 
it  is  called,  where  the  subject  could  be  studied,  policies  determined,  and  the 
detailed  work  of'  supervision  performed.  It  soon  became  apparent,  however,  that 
an  additional  organization  was  needed  where  officers  could  be  trained  more  ex- 
peditiously' for  the  work,  of  procurement  planning  and  the  supervision- of  war 
procurement,  whether  this  work  was  to  be  performed  in  the  office  of  the  Assis- 
tant Secretary  of  War  or.  in  the  Supply  Branches.  Accordingly,  the  College  was 
founded  on  February  25,  1924,  by  War  Department  General  Orders  No.  7,  which 
reads  in  part  as  follows: 

"A. college,  to  be  known  as  the  Army  Industrial  College,  is  hereby  estab- 
lished for  the  purpose  of.  Training  Army  officers  in  the  useful  knowledge 
pertaining  to  the  supervision  of  procurement  of  all  military  supplies  in 
time  of  war  and  to  the  assurance  of  adequate  provision  for  the  mobiliza- 
tion of  materiel  and  industrial  organizations  essential  to  war  time 
needs. 11 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  just  as  the  Army  War  College  was  establish- 
ed to  provide  for  the  studs’-  of  intricate  problems  facing  our  General  Staff  in 
regard  to  the  mobilization  and  effective  use  of  man-power  in  national  defense, 
so  was  the  Army  Industrial  College  established  to  accomplish  a like  purpose  for 
the  coordinate  function  of  a maximum  utilization  of  industrial  resources. 

Acadsmi  c Sub.i  e c t Mat  ter 

The  Army  Industrial  College  is  a pioneer  venture.  Its  mission  is  to  train 
officers  to  explore  and  chart  the  -preeminent  ' pudustrial  and  economic  resources 
of  this  nation  and  the  world  wide  relationship  in  the  light  of  supply,  demand 
and  utilization,  and  to  fashion  plans  which  shall  facilitate  the  prompt  and  ef- 
fective use  of  these  resources  in  some  future  emergency.  This  mission  involves 
studies  along  many  and  varied  lines.  A brief  recital  of  the  general  scope  of 
the  work  covered  during  the  present  school  year  may  be  of  interest. 

Speaking  broadly,  the  academic  schedule  may  be  considered  as  dividing  it- 
self into  four  main  parts: 

. 1.  War  study,  that  is,  an  historical  phase  devoted  to  a study  of  suiroly 
problems  -that  obtained  during  the  World  War,  the  agencies  created  to  handle  same, 
the  methods'  employed,  the  difficulties  encountered,  the  remedial  action  neces- 
sitated, and  .a  summary  of  lessons  learned  in  this  school  of  experience. 

2.  Economic  theory  of  war  procurement.  By  this  is  meant  the  breakdown 
of  the  factors  involved  in  the  subject  of  procurement  and  an  ah  analysis  of  each 
with  the  idea  of  arriving  at  a practical  working  solution.  This  study  includes 

-151-  V-6012,  A. C. 


some  seventeen  functions.,  all  of  which  are  primary  considerations  in  the  plan- 
ning processes. 

3.  Applied  economics  in  war  procurement.  This  part  of  the  course  is  a 
study  of  the  organizations  necessary  to  effectively  control  the  functions  re- 
ferred to  above.  In  other  words,  it  is  a study  of  the  means  employed  in  the 
application  of  the  solutions  previously  discussed. 

4.  Corelation  and  coordination  of  above  control  functions. 

For  the  purpose  of  familiarizing  the  student  with  the  purpose  of  procure- 
ment -planning,  a short  orientation  course  in  his  own  branch  of  the  service  marks 
the  opening  of  the  school.  The  termination  of  the  school  year  is  also  marked  by 
a final  branch  study  for  the  purposes  of  orientation  with  reference  to  the 
actual  district  ^procurement  activities  and  -procedure  and  the  liaison  which  is 
expected  with  the  branch  central  office. 

The  problem  of  procurement  is  to  a degree  a business  problem  of  a sort  the 
business  man  in  industry  is  called  upon  to  solve  in  a small  way,  perhaps,  daily. 
Obviously,  then,  it  is  important  that  an  officer  making  contact  with  industry 
for  planning  or  procurement  purposes  should  know  something  about  the  manner  in 
which  business  is  conducted.  The  schedule  was  therefore  made  to  include  some 
six  weeks  of  study  of  the  fundamentals  of  business.  In  a measure,  this  course 
parallels  that  given  in  the  Harvard  School  of  Business  Administration,  and  is 
conducted  by  a graduate,  of  that  school.  The  subjects  considered  include 
Economics,  Accounting,  Finance,  Statistics,  Commercial  Law  and  Marketing.  The 
field  is  large,  but  opportunity  is  afforded  to  obtain  some  general  knowledge  of 
these  subjects. 

It  might  be  well  to  amplify  the  references  made  as  to  factors  or  functions 
essential  to  procurement  planning.  These  are  the  elements  that  require  special 
consideration  in  the  field  of  materiel.  They  include  as  individual  studies  - 


1. 


9 . 

10. 

11. 


12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 
IS. 
17. 


Conservation 
Foreign  Trade 

Facilities  (Conversion  and 
Construction) 

Shipping 

Food 

Communi  cat  ions 

Finance 

Fuel 

Publicity 


Allocation  (clearance  of 

manufacturing  resources) 

Priorities 

Commodities  (Raw  materials  and  other 
secondary  requirements) 

Requirements  -.-^£3: 

Power 
Labor 

Transportation  (Railway  and  waterway) 

Price  control 

These  subjects  are  supplemented  by  studies  covering  Foreign  Industrial 
Control,  Strategic  Raw  Materials,  War  Load  and  Distribution,  Foreign  Strategic 
Industrial  Areas,  the  Steel  Industry,  Machine  Tool  Industry,  Foreign  Exports  and 
Imports,  and  similar  subjects  of  exceptional  interest  and  bearing  more  or  less 
directly  upon  our  basic  studies. 

The  scheme  of  instruction  at  the  present;  time  follows  that  of  the  best 
postgraduate  schools  in  civil  life.  Problems  are  assigied  either  as  individual 
or  as  committee  studies,  with  the  greatest  latitude  allowed  as  to  the  extent  to 
which  research  may  be  carried.  Written  reports  in  the  nature  of  these  are  re- 
quired in  practically  all  problems.  These  reports  are  presented  to  the  class  as 
a whole,  fully  discussed,  and  an  effort  made  in  this  way  to  crystallize  the  con- 
clusions into  definite  doctrine  on  the  subject. 

There  are  no  approved  solutions  to  the  many  problems  studied,  it  being  recog- 
nized that,  planning  is  of  necessity  a never  ending  activity  and  that  economic 
changes  must  be  recorded  by  revision  of  plans  if  they  are  to  be  effective  and 
possess  maximum  utilitarian  value.  Hence,  constant  efforts  are  made  to  stimulate 
creative  thought  with  the  idea  of  having  available  the  latest  analysis  of  the 
subject  matter  and  recommendations  covering  the  application  in  terms  of  practical 
operations. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  school  year,  the  entire  student  body,  in  company 
with  certain  members  of  the  faculty,  journey  to  Pittsburgh  for  the  purpose  of 
visiting  some  of  the  large  industrial  facilities  and  gaining  first  hand  some  in- 
formation relative  to  their  management  and  operation  and  the  -positions  held  in 
the  field  of  national  and  international  commerce.  This  trip  is  most  interesting, 
highly  instructive  and  enables  the  students  to  come  in  contact  with  representas- 
tives  of  some  of  the  largest  and  most  important  industries  of  this  country.  The 
manner  in  which  such  men  receive  Army  -personnel , their  manifest  interest  in  the 
service  procurement  problems  and  the . work  undertaken  by  the  Industrial  College, 
and  their  evident  desire  to  cooperate  fully  is,  indeed,  a reflation  and  be sneaks 

-152-  V-6012,  A. C. 


the  estimate  of  business  of  our  industrial  procurement  planning. 

Conclusions 

Although  still  in  its  infancy,  the  Army  Industrial  College  has  already  justi- 
fied its  existence.  The  support  given  it  by  the  Supply  Branches  and  the  hearty 
approval  expressed  by  industrial  leaders  who  have  become  acquainted  with  its  acti- 
vities indicate  for  it  a future  of  broader  scope  and  increasing  influence..  The 
assignment  of  Naval  and  Marine  Corps  officers  to  each  course  is  indicative  of  the 
spirit  of  cooperation  engendered  between  the  branches  by  the  Institution,  while 
the  detail  of  officers  from  the  line  of  the  Army  to  take  the  course  clearly  shows 
that  the  idea  of  industrial  preparedness , to  which  the  College  is  dedicated,  is 
coming  to  be  recognized  more  each  day  as  a vital  element  in  War  Department  plans 
for  the  national  defense.  The  fact  that  the  War  Department  now  requires  a given 
percentage  of  the  officers  detailed  to  the  Army  War  College  to  ba  graduates  of 
the  Industrial  College  would  indicate  the  growing  importance  attached  to  the 
efforts  of  this  Institution  and  its  contribution  to  the  preparedness  program. 

0O0 

MIMIC  WARFARE  AT  LOS  ANGELES 

Emerging  from  an  altitude  of  30,000  feet,  beyond  the  vision  of  the  human 
eye,  Army  airmen  from  Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif. , simulated  an  aerial  attack 
upon  Los  Angeles,  Calif. , on  June  7th.  The  general  situation  calling  for  the 
attack  was  announced  by  the  7th  Bombardment  Group,  as  follows: 

Enemy  forces  supposedly  captured  Los  Angeles,  destroyed  a large  portion  of 
the  business  district  and  established  their  headquarters,  anti-aircraft  nests  and 
ammunition  base  in  the  heart  of  the  city.  The  high  command  is  operating  in  the 
City  Hall.  Preparatory  to  re-occupation  by  friendly  troops,  the  Army  Air  Corps 
has  been  ordered  to  destroy  the  enemy's  stronghold,  disorganizing  their  forces 
and  throwing  them  off  their  guard  for  an  attack  by  our  Infantry.  Accordingly, 
six  huge  Curtiss  "Condor"  Bombers  of  the  11th  Bombardment  Squadron  are  dispatched 
from  San  Diego,  flying  at  an  altitude  of  15,000  feet,  loaded  with  bombs,  and  pro- 
tected by  the  95th  Pursuit  Squadron  flying  five  miles  above  the  earth  in  small, 
fast  Boeing  Pursuit  planes,  ready  to  drive  off  enemy  planes  which  might  attack 
their  heavily-laden  brothers.  The  little  single-seater  fighters  cannot  be  seen 
or  heard  from  the  ground. 

The  pilots  were  dressed  in  fifty  pounds  of  clothing  to  protect  them  from  a 
temperature  of  40  degrees  below  zero  at  that  altitude,  although  people  on  the 
ground  below  them  were  basking  in  the  California  sunshine.  So  far  above  the 
earth,  where  the  air  is  extremely  rare,  life  is  sustained  by  means  of  artificial 
oxygen  sucked  from  the  tanks  located  in  the  pilots'  cockpits.  No  air  squadron 
in  history  has  delivered  an  attack  from  so  great  a height,  the  California  Squad- 
ron being  the  only  unit  which  has  reached  that  altitude  in  a formation  flight, 

A few  seconds  before  the  Bombers  arrived  on  their  deadly  mission  of  destruc- 
tion, carrying  24,000  -pounds  of  bombs,  the  95th  Pursuit  Squadron  dived  earthward, 
belching  out  volleys  of  machine  gun  fire  and  releasing  light  bombs  on  the  enemy's 
anti-aircraft  nests,  thereby  disabling  them  to  such  an  extent  that  they  were  not 
able  to  damage  the  oncoming  Bombers.  Following  the  dive  of  the  Pursuiters,  they 
zoomed  heavenward  again,  ready  to  come  down  to  the  aid  of  the  big  ships  if  that 
became  necessary. 

Continuous  radio  communication  was  maintained  between  the  two  squadrons  dur- 
ing the  entire  trip.  Immediately  following  the  simulated  attack,  the  -planes 
joined  in  an  aerial  review  over  the  Los  Angeles  Airport,  in  honor  of  city  and 
state  officials  and  honored  guests  attending  the  dedication  exercises  there. 

West  Coast  radio  fans  had  an  opportunity  to  hear  a description  of  the  first 
aerial  attack  ever  made  from  an  altitude  of  five  miles  above  the  earth  when  this 
aerial  raid  on  the  Los  Angeles  City  Hall  was  made.  Station  KHJ  made  arrangements 
with  Army  officials  to  re-broadcast  the  announcements  made  from  an  Army  Bomber 
during  the  epoch-making  attack.  The  approach  by  the  3ombing  Squadron,  the  five- 
mile  dive  by  the  protecting  95th  Pursuit  Squadron,  the  theoretical  bombing  and 
the  resulting  destruction  were  all  graphically  explained  from  one  of  the  huge 
"Condor"  Lumbers. 

• — oOo— 

For  the  information  of  Correspondents,  contributions  to  the  News  Letter 
should  be  submitted  twice  a month,  preferably  on  the  1st  and  15th.  Articles  and 
news  items,  from  Air  Corps  Reserve  and  National  Guard  organizations  are  invited. 

-153-  V-6012,  A.C. 


PARTICIPATION  OP  FIRST  PURSUIT  GROUP  IN  MA.THER  FIELD  EXERCISES 
By  the  News  Letter  Correspondent 

Daring  the  absence  of  the  1st  Pursuit  Grom  on  the  Air  Corps  Combined 
Exercises  at  Mather  Field,  Sacramento,  Calif.,  in  the  month  of  April , Self ridge 
Dield  was  a rather  deserted  nlace  and,  having  furnished  some  43  Pursuit  and 
..Transport  airplanes  for  the  Exercises,  its  normal  activity  during  this  period  was, 
of  course,  considerably  lessened,  thus  allowing  a few  of  the  mechanics  to  take 
advantage  of  a much  needed  rest. 

Twenty- two  type  P-1  Pursuit  planes,  three  Ford  tri-motor  and  one  Fokker  tri- 
motor Transports  carrying  supplies,  and  22  mechanics  proceeded  to  Mather  Field 
from  Self ridge,  while  the  eighteen  new  Boeing  P-123's  were  ferried  to  Mather  from 
Seattle  by  Selfridge  Field  pilots  who  were  ordered  to  Seattle  for  this  duty  by 
rail . 

Due  to  especially  bad  weather  at  Selfridge  Field  March  25th  to  27th,  the 
Group  was  delayed  until  March  28th,  and  it  did  not  arrive  at  Mather  Field  until 
May  2nd.  This  delajr  in  reaching  Mather  was  also  due  to  bad  weather.  High  winds 
and  snow  were  encountered  at  Cheyenne,  Wyoming,  to  which  place  the  Group  was 
forced  back  and  remained  two  days. 

During  the  Exercises,  all  aircraft  functioned  satisfactorily  and,  even  though 
a great  deal  of  mechanical  work  including  several  engine  changes,  was  performed 
during  the  period  of  the  Exercises,  two  squadrons  of  18  planes  each  were  always 
in  readiness  for  scheduled  missions.  This  mechanical  work  was  performed  by  the 
19  enlisted  mechanics  who,  although  sometimes  charged  with  the  responsibility  of 
maintaining  from  one  to  four  ships  each,  managed  by  dint  of  considerable  growling 
and  other  things  of  which  a soldier  is  past  master  to  handle  everything  in  an  ex- 
cellent manner.  In  one  case  which  happened  to  be  the  night  before  the  Group  was 
scheduled  to  start  on  the  return  flight,  two  details  worked  until  long  after  dark 
changing  the  engines  in  two  of  the  airplanes.  This  work  was  completed  and  the 
engines  tested  that  night  in  order  that  the  planes  might  be  ready  for  the  return 
flight  on  the  following  day. 

The  high  spot  of  the  return  flight  occurred  at  Denver,  Colorado,  where  the 
entire  Group  was  the  guest  of  Mr.  F.G.  Bonfils,  publisher  of  the  Denver  POST. 
Landing  was  made  at  Lowry  Field,  where  Mr.  Bonfils  and  his  staff  had  everything 
prepared  to  delight  a mechanic1 s heart.  The  mechanic  is  especially  mentioned  in 
this  case  since  upon  arrival  at  Lowry  Field  the  airplanes  were  turned  over  to 
trained  mechanics  of  the  120th  Squadron  of  the  45th  Division,  Air  Service.  For 
weeks  prior  to  the  arrival  of  the  Group,  these  men  had  been  instructed  in  their 
various  duties  and,  upon  the  Group's  arrival,  they  proceeded  to  carry  out  these 
instructions  by  completely  servicing  and  checking  all  aircraft  and  even  with  the 
aid  of  power  trucks  going  over  the  entire  surface  of  some  forty  planes  with  soap 
and  water,  also  polish'  and  a great  deal  of  elbow  grease. 

That  night  the  Group,  as  guests  of  Mr.  Bonfils,  had  dinner  at  the  Brown 
Palace  Hotel  and  afterwards  were  presented  tickets  for  the  R.K.O.  Theatre.  During 
the  day  each  member  of  the  Group  was  privileged  to  meet  the  Governor  of  Colorado 
and  during  dinner  to  listen  to  a short  talk  from  Mr.  Bonfils.  After  telling  us 
how  very  pleased  he  was  to  have  us  with  him,  he  abruptly  turned  and  left  the 
dining  room.  He  did  not  give  the  many  of  us, who  would  have  liked  a chance,  to 
tell  him  how  very  much  we  were  pleased  to  be  his  guests  and  how  very  glad  we 
would  be  to  return  at  some  other  time. 

Early  the  next  morning,  upon  arrival  at  Lowry  Field,  we  found  that  the  details 
had  worked  practically  all  night.  The  ships  certainly  showed  it  because  they  look- 
ed as  though  they  had  just  come  from  a factory.  They  were  all  polished,  and  it 
seemed  a shame-  to  start  them  up  and  get  them  all  dirty  again.  It  might  be  added 
here  that  the  guard  and  policing  of  the  airdrome  was  handled  in  a very  excellent 
manner  by  Companies  "D"  and  "F"  of  the  2nd  Engineers  from  Fort  Logan.  Throughout 
the  night  these  men  were  on  duty,  and  evidently  were  working  under  definite  in- 
structions, since  everything  was  handled  in  such  a pleasant  well-ordered  manner. 

The  guards  were  definite  in  their  instructions  to  visitors  but  were  pleasant  with 
all,  and  everybody  seemed  entirely  satisfied  with  the  system.  In  addition,  govern- 
ment ambulances  were  furnished  by  the  Fitzsimons  General  Hospital  for  use  through- 
out the  stay  of  the  Group  and,  of  course,  had  with  them  the  necessary  medical  at- 
tendants. We  were  very  glad,  however,  that  the  ambulances  were  not  required. 

During  the  broadcasting  of  the  demonstration,  the  broadcaster  called  upon  1st 
Lieut.  Walter' E.  . Richards,  our  loquacious  engineer  officer,  to  explain  to  the 
peo-ple  the  maneuvers  performed  by  the  Group  during  the  demonstration.  We  believe 

-154-  V— 5012 , A.C. 


that  Lieut.  Richards  would  qualify  as  an  announcer,  since  he  seems  to  have  an 
excellent  radio  voice  and  was  more  or  less  familiar  with  radio  announcing 
technique.  His  explanations  of  the  maneuvers  were  clear  and  concise  and  no 
doubt  greatly  assisted  the  visitors  in  understanding  some  of  the  difficult  phases 
performed. 

It  might  be  added  here  that  the  entire  Group  had  flown  throughout  the  morn- 
ing for  a period  of  some  five  hours  and  this,  in  addition  to  the  two  hours  of 
demonstration  flying  at  Denver,  placed  them  under  considerable  strain.  Everyone, 
however,  was  unanimous  in  the  opinion  that  the  maneuvers  were  the  finest  they 
had  ever  been  privileged  to  witness.  On  behalf  of  Major  Royce  and  the  Group, 
Lieut.  Richards  at  the  close  of  his  talk  invited  his  listeners  to  pay  Self  ridge 
Field  a visit  at  any  time  they  might  be  in  the. vicinity  of  Detroit,  Mich.  It 
certainly  would  be  a pleasure  to  see  some  of  these  people  from  Denver  again  and, 
in  case  any  of  them  read  this,  we  can  assure  them  that  we  will  have  time  to  show 
them  the  field  in  case  they  ever  do  get  here. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  the  Group  at  Chanute  Field  the  personnel  first  obtained 
news  of  the  death  of  2nd  Lieut.  Harold  Brown,  Air  Corps,  who  at  Fort  Riley  had 
obtained  permission  to  proceed  to  Chanute  Field  via  Columbia,  Mo.  Lieut*  Brown 
was  killed  when  his  plane  crashed  near  Columbia  at  about  8:30  a.m.  on  May  2nd. 

Throughout  the  flight  from  Selfridge  to  Mather,  the  Group  battled  head 
winds  which  at  times  reached  a velocity  of  between  50  and  60  miles  an  hour.  One 
Transport  in  particular,  enroute  from  Chanute  Field  westward,  was  forced  down  at 
Burlington,  Iowa,  after  three  hours’  flying,  averaging  50  miles  an  hour  for  the 
trip.  The  return  trip  was  entirely  different  and  the  Group  was  adequately  com- 
pensated with  tail  \7inds,  due  to  which  fact  some  of  the  Transports  averaged  a 
speed  as  high  as  125  miles  an  hour. 

The  Pursuit  planes  during  the  Exercises  and  including  the  flight  to  Mather 
Field  and  return  averaged  approximately  90  hours’  flying  time.  At  this  time  no 
estimate  can  be  given  for  the  Transports,  inasmuch  as  these  planes,  in  addition 
to  making  the  trip  to  and  from  Ifether  Field,  were  also  used  throughout  the 
Exercises  for  special  flights,  which  included  the  transportation  of  supplies  to 
and  from  Mather  Field  to  Crissy  and  Rockwell  Fields,  and  for  transporting  guests 
and  staff  observers  in  the  vicinity  of  Mather  Field. 

oOo 

COLORADO  RATIONAL  GUARD  AIRMEN  GREET  FIRST  PURSUIT  GROUP 

The  45th  Division  Aviation,  Colorado  National  Guard,  were  hosts  to  the  famous 
First  Pursuit  Group  at  Lowry  Field  on  April  ,30th  on  their  return  from  this  year's 
Army  Air  Corps  Exercises  which  were  .held  at  Mather  Field,  Sacramento,  Calif. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  30th,  a flight  of  four  Douglas  planes  from  Lowry 
Field,  under  the  command  of  Map  or  Bzuce  Eistler,  left  for  Cheyenne  to  meet  Major 
Ralph  Royce  and  his  Group.  At  eleven  thirty  a.m. , the  first  provisional  squadron 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Victor  Strahm,  consisting  of  eighteen  P-12’s,  appear- 
ed out  of  the  north  and  in  tight  combat  formation  circled  Denver  and  landed  at 
Lowry  Field.  These  pilots  had  come  direct  from  Salt  Lake  via  Laramie,  Wyoming, 
without  landing  at  Cheyenne,  in  three  hours  and  fifty  minutes. 

A few  minutes  after  twelve  o’clock,  the  Lowry  Field  group,  led  by  Major 
Kistler  in  a Douglas  Q2~K,  were  seen  to  the  North  with  Major  Royce  and  twenty 
P-l’s  following.  The  ships  circled  Denver  and  landed  at  Lowry  Field,  where  lunch 
wa,s  served  in  the  Officers’  Club.  Shortly  before  one  o’clock,  the  three  Ford 
Transports  belonging  to  the  First  Pursuit  Group  landed  and  were  parked  at  the 
south  end  of  the  dead  line.  Five  Douglas,  planes  from  Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma,  under 
the  command  of  Lieut.  Baisley,  had  preceded  the  last  of  the  Group  a few  minutes 
and  were  parked  north  of  the  squadron  buildings.  . 

Lowry  Field  was  now  buzzing  with  air  activity,  and  the  immense  throng  sur- 
rounding the  field  were  treated  to  the  largest  gathering  of  military  aircraft 
ever  seen  in  Denver,  there  being  62  Army  aircraft  at  the  field,  including  those 
belonging  to  the  National  Guard  squadron. 

At  2:30  p.m. , the  entire  Group  of  38  Pursuit  ships  took  off,  and  for  one 
hour  gave  the  populace  of  Denver  and  vicinity  the  greatest  military  air  treat  con- 
ceivable. The  crowd  at  the  field  was  estimated  at  between  sixty  and  eighty 
thousand  people.  A detail  of  the  2nd  Engineers,  under  the  Command  of  Lieut. 

Harmon,  of  Fort  Logan,  kept  everything  in  order,  and  the  streets  and  approaches 
to  the  field  were  efficiently  policed  by  the  efficient  Denver  Police  Department 
under  Captain  Merritt. 


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V-6012  ,A.  C. 


A short  line  squall ' started'  to  ‘marr  an  otherwise  perfect  day  jus i 'as  the 
Group  was  landing,  hut  it  soon  "blew  away  and  then  two  Pur  suiters  in  P-12’  s mt 
on  a dog  fight,  performing  everything  in  the  catalogue  and  then  some.  Immedi- 
ately after  their  landing  the  public  Was  admitted  to  the  Field  and  were  allow- 
ed to  approach  within  a short  distance  of  the  dead  line  where  they  were  afforded 
the  opportunity  to  observe  the  servicing  of  the  41  ships  of  the  Group.  The 
Transport  -pilots  had  hardly  shut  off  their  motors  when  the  Lowry  Field  engineer- 
ing section,  under  Lieut.  Fred  H.  Junk  and  assisted  by  Lieuts.  Wilson  and 
Braddick  with  Line  Chief  Jack  Burnell , were  washing  the  big  Transports.  Two  men 
with  a large  Xngersoll  Rand  Compressor  preceded  with  two  gasoline  air  guns  and 
cleaned  off  all  oil  and  the  motors,  then  twenty  men  with  brushes  and  a truck  of 
soapsuds  scrubbed  each  ship,  with  the  Denver  Fire  Department  bringing  up  in  the 
rear  and  rinsing  off  each  plane.  Another  detail  followed  with  chamois  and  rags, 
drying  each  plane,  cleaning  windshields,  placing  on  cockpit  and  motor  covers, etc. 

All  of  the  Regular  Army  enlisted  personnel  were  sent  to  the  hotel  at  five 
o’clock,  it  being  their  first  night  off  since  leaving  Selfridge  Field.  The 

Lowry  Field  engineering  crew  welded  up  the  cowling  on  wing  motors  of  two  Trans- 
ports, made  numerous  patches,  added  75  revolutions  to  one  "Wasp, " completed  all 

Form  One’s,  and  had  all  ships  spick  and  span  at  12:30  that  night.  This. was  a 

gigantic  job,  as  the  ships  were  very  dirty  and  had  not  been  washed  since  leav- 
ing Selfridge  and  were  in  need  of  other  minor  repairs  which  were  all  taken  care 
of.  The  Pursuit  Group  pilots  were  highly  enthusiastic  in  their  praise  of  the 
care  given  their  ships. 

The  Group  departed  for  Fort  Riley,  Kansas,  at  9:30  a.m. , May  1st,  and  other 
visiting  Army  ships  from  Kelly,  Brooks  and  Post  Fields  were  all  gone  shortly 
thereafter. 

— ~o0o— - 


PROVISIONAL  WING  VISITS  ROCKWELL  FIELD 


San  Diego,  California,  was  provided  with  a spectacle  never  seen  before  when  jj 
the  First  Provisional  Air  Force  Wing  was  demobilized  at  Rockwell  Field  on  April 
27th,  bringing  to  a plsbse  the  intensive  Spring  maneuvers  held  at  Mather  Field, 
Sacramento,  Calif.  , during  the  month  of  April.  The  personnel  and  planes,  154 
officers  and  142  planes,  consisted  of  General  Gill  more  and  Staff;  the  Second 
Bombardment  Group  of  Langley  Field,  Va. ; the  First  Pursuit  Group  of  Selfridge 
Field,  Mich.;  the  Third  Attack  Group  of  Fort  Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas;,  and 
the  Seventh  Bombardment  Group  of  Rockwell  Field,  Calif. 

Bombers,  Attack  planes,  Pursuit  -planes.  Transports,  Hospital  planes,  Obser- 
vation planes  and  radio  craft  passed  over  the  City  of  San  Diego  in'  an  aerial 
armada , and  then  over  Rockwell  Field  in  review  before  General  Gillmore. ' 

Elaborate  plans  wer§  made  at  Rockwell  Field  for  the  reception  of  , the  off i-  | 
cers  and  plane s . Immediately  upon  landing,  the  officers  proceeded  to  'the 
Officers’  Club,  where  General  Gillmore,  in  a brief  speech,  expressed  to  the 
officers  an4  enlisted  men  of  the  Wing  his  appreciation,  and  bade  them  good-bye 
and  good  luck  prior  to  his  retirement  in  June  this  year. 

In  the  Aerial  review,  the  Bombers  came  first,  thundering  across  the. field 
barely  25  feet  above  the  ground,  next  came  the  Attack  planes  and,  then  '.the  Pursuit  1 
planes.  The  planes  landed  two,  three  and  five  at  a time,  taxied  to  one  side  of 
the  field  and  were  marshalled  in  neat  rows  and  tied  down  for  tile'  night.. 

The  Pirjst  Pursuit  Group  departed  on  April  28th  for  Selfridge-  Field,  via 
Denver,  Colorado.  The  Third  Attack  Group  departed  April  29th  for  Fort  Crockett, 
Texas,  and  the  2nd  Bombardment  Group  on  May  1st  for  Langley  Field,  Va. 

The  San  Diego  Chamber  of  Commerce  entertained  with  a dinner  and  dance"  at 
the  San  Diego  Athletic  Club  on  the  evening  of  April  28th  in  honor  of  the.  visiting 
officers  of  the  Provisional  Wing. 

— -oOo— -- 

CAUTION  TO  PILOTS  APPROACHING  MARCH  FIELD 

The  attention  of  all  pilots  is  called  to  the  .fact  that  a Landing  Mat,  500 
feet  by  1,600  feet,  is  being  constructed  800  feet  in  front  of  the  -line  of  hangars 
at  March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif.  Construction  is  due  for  comnletion  on  June 
29,  1930,  ; 

An  Air  Corps  circular  cautions  pilots  not  to  land  on  this.  Mai  during- the 
process  of  construction. 


-1SS5- 


V-S012,  A. C. 


ENLISTED  MSN  APPOINTED  PLYING  CADETS 


A total  of  33  enlisted  men,  31  from  the  Air  Corps  and  two  from  other  "branch- 
es of  the  service,  were  recently  appointed  Plying  Cadets  and  are  now  under ' orders 
to  commence  their  flying  training  on  July  1st  next.  Of  these  33  enlisted  men, 

23  will  take  their  training  at  the  Air  Corps  Primary  Plying  School  at  Brooks 
Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  and  the  remaining  ten  at  the  Primary  Plying  School  at 
March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif. 

All  "but  two  of  the  above  candidates  are  members  of  the  Army  Air  Corps,  the 
exceptions  being  Privates  Edgar  B.  Franklin,  3rd  Cavalry,  Fort  Myer,  Va. , and 
Norman  K.  Dixon,  2nd  Medical  Regiment,  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas,  both  of  whom  will 
go  to  Brooks  Field. 

The  enlisted  men  slated  to  go  to  Brooks  Field  are 


Private  Wade  M.  Miles 
Cecil  W?  Odell 
Victor  R.  Mum ma,  Jr. 
Herbert  G.  Robinson 
Claude  B.  White 
Charles  H.  Pursley 
Wayne  Bone 
John  H.  Barton 
Francis  W.  Davis 
" J.  James  Deeg 

Pvt.l/Cl  J.W.  McLaurin 
Private  Bynum  D.  Orr 

" William  E.  Waters 

" Arthur  N.  Caldwell 

" John  T.  Cox 

it 
it 
ii 


5th  Observation  Squadron 
99th  11  " 

19th  Airship  Company 
A.C.  Tactical  School 
ii  ii  ii 

22nd  Observation  Squadron 
51st  School  Squadron 
11th  School  Orou-Q  Hqrs. 

nth  » 

20th  Photo  Section 
11th  School  Group  Hqrs. 
62nd  Service  Squadron 
62nd  " ~ " 

90th  Attack  Squadron 
43rd  School  Squadron 
William  D.  Cross,  Jr.  10th  School  Group  Hqrs. 
William  Dean  Harrison  10th  " " 11 

Benedict  L.  Hogan  10th  " " " 


follows: 

Mitchel  Field, 
ii  ii 

Langley  Field, 
ii  ii 


N.Y. 

ii 

Va. 

ii 


Maxwell  Field, 
Brooks  Field, 


Ala. 
Texas , 

it 

ii 

ti 

ii 

ii 

it 


Fort  Crockett , Texas. 
Kelly  Field,  Texas. 


Corporal  Norman  M.  Jackson  10th  11  " " 

Private  Alton  C.  Lewis  40th  School  Squadron 

11  Joseph  Woodall  39th  School  Squadron 

Enlisted  men  who  will  undergo  their  training  at  March  Field  are  - 


Private  Joseph  A.  Brier 


Lewis  M.  Crawford 
Vincent  P.  Malmstrom 
Richard  J.  Aubry 
James  N.  McCormick 


A.  C.  Technical  School 
ii  it  ii 

ii  ii  it 


Chanute  Field, 
ii  ii 


ti 

it 

ii 

it 

it 

I! 

111. 

II 


Scott  Field,  111. 

Self ridge  FieldvMich. 
March  Field,  Calif. 
ii  ii  it  . 

ti  ii  ii 


8th  Airship  Company 
17th  Pursuit  Squadron 

William  H.  Elvins,  Jr. 53rd  School  Squadron 
Leroy  G.  Heston  47th  " 11 

Frank  Norwood  47th  11  11 

Henry  G.  Reynolds  53rd  " 11  11  " " 

Two  enlisted  men  of  the  Air  Corps  will  retain  their  noncommissioned  status 
while  undergoing  flying  training,  Master  Sergeant  Fletcher  J.  Cox,  of  France 
Field,  Panama  Canal  Zone,  going  to  3rooks  Field,  and  Staff  Sergeant  Opal.  E. 
Henderson,  of  Marshall  Field,  Kansas,  going  to  March  Field. 

oOo— 


MITCHEL  FIELD  OFFICER  WINS  DUMBELL  TROPHY 

According  to  the  News  Letter  Correspondent,  the  gilt-edged  dumbell , the 
prize  for  questionable  brilliancy  at  Mitchel  Field,  N.Y.,  has  at  last  claimed 
an  owner,  and  a just  one  too,  in  Lieut. ‘ Mulligan. 

The  Lieutenant  was  starting  out  with  the  "crack"  First  for  gunnery  maneuv- 
ers at  Camp  Dix,  N.J.  He  taxied  out  from  the  line  in  formation  with  the  rest  of 
his  buddies  when  he  was  suddenly  and  forcibly  intercepted  by  the  T in  front  of 
the  Operations  Office.  The  T being  such  a small  insignificant  thing,  only  about 
twenty  by  twenty  feet,  he  should  be  exonerated  for  not  seeing  it  but,  as  he 
said:  "You  know  how  those  things  can  sli*p  under  your  wing  without  you  seeing 
them."  The  only  trouble  was  that  this  one  did  not  go  under,  and  Mulligan  still 
keeps  the  dumbell. 

The  present  owner  of  this  questionable  trophy  will  no  doubt  take  keen  delight 
in  relinquishing  it  to  one  of  his  comrades  who  should  hanpen  to  merit  the  award 
sometime  in  the  future. 


-157- 


V-6012,  A.C. 


SKILLFUL  PILOTING  AVERTS  CATASTROPHE 


The  News  Letter  Correspondent'  of  the  115th  Observation  Squadron,  Califor- 
nia National  Guard  at  Griffith  Park,  Los  Angeles,  Calif.,  reports  that  Lieut. 
.Stone,  Air  Corps,  of  Rockwell  Field,  recently  gave  a hair-raising  exhibition  of 
quick  thinking  and  expert  piloting,  thereby  saving  the  lives  of  a pilot  and.  a 
mechanic  and  preserving  for  future  use  a valuable  piece  of  property  in  the 'form 
of  one  airplane,  Douglas  Transport  and  a couple  of  Liberty  motors. 

Ferrying  a spare  motor,  parts  and  other  materiel  from  Rockwell  Field  to 
Mather  Field  during  the  recent  maneuvers  at  the  latter  place,  Lieut.  Stone  put 
into  Griffith  Park  for -gas.  Taking  off  at  the  end  of  the  runway  and  over  the 
Municipal  Golf  Links  which  was  dotted  with  players,  the  motor  cut  out  a couple 
of  banks  at  an  altitude  of  something  approaching  zero. 

With  golfers  on  all  sides,'  Lieut.  Stone  somehow  wished  his  plane  into  .a 
right  turn,  out  of  sight  and  into  some  'low  hills.  While  the  spectators  held 
everything,  awaiting  the  crash,  and  the  personnel  of  the  field  did  likewise , 
Lieut.  Stone  sailed  serenely  under  pome  wires  back  onto  the  end  of  the  field 
and  taxied  to  the  hangar  on  cylinders . The  damage  done  was  a mere  valve 
spring  or  two  and  a cracked  cam  shaft  housing.  Repairs  were  made  at  the  field 
and  Lieut.  Stone  resumed  his  mission  the  next  day. 

— oOo— 

ARMY  AIRMEN  IN  HAWAII  PARTICIPATE  IN  MANEUVERS 

Twenty- seven  Army  planes  were  recently  flown  to  Molokai  in  connection  with 
Air  Corps  joint  training  operations  between  Bombardment  units  at  Luke  Field  and 
Put  suit  units  at  Wheeler  Field.  The  mission  was  one  of  several  being  made,  to 
. solve  rendezvous  problems  in  speed  of  pursuit  and  bombardment  planes.  The  Luke 
Field  flights  included  10  DeHavilands , two  Keystone  Bombers  and  three  Amphibians. 
On  the  way  to  Molokai  these  planes  were  joined  over  the  channel  by  twelve  Pursuit 
planes  from  Wheeler  Field,  which  had  given  them  a head  start  of  several  minutes. 
Besides  their  crews,  the  Luke  Field  planes  carried  Infantry  and  Field  Artillery 
officers  assigned  to  work  on  joint  training  with  the  Air  Corps. 

■ — -o0o- — — 

AIR  CORPS  OFFICERS  ASSIGNED  TO  INDUSTRIAL  COLLEGE 

Special  Orders  of  the  War  Department,  recently  issued,  designated  the 
following- named  Air  Corps  officers  as  students  at  the  Army  Industrial  College, 
Washington,  D.C.  , for  the  1930-1931  course.  They  are  direct el  to  report  to 
the  director  of  that  college  between  August  18  and  August  21,  1930; 

Captain  Philip  Schneeberger , Chanute  Field,  Illinois. 

1st  Lieut.  Robert  S.  Heald,  Air  Corps  Technical  School,  Chanute  Field, 111. 

1st  Lieut.  Norman  D.  Brophy,  Langley  Field,  Va. 

1st  Lieut.  Donald  R.  Goodrich,  A.C.  Procurement  District,'  Buffalo  , N.Y. 

1st  Lieut.  Clarence  H.  Welch,  Bolling  Field,  D.C. 

— oOo— 

CORPS  AREA  COMMANDER  PLEASED  WITH  INSPECTION  OF  SCOTT  FIELD 

Major-General  Frank  Parker,  U .S  . Army,  Commanding  the  Sixth  Corps  Area, 
recently  made  an  inspection  of  Scott  Field,  Belleville,  111.,  and  shortly  there- 
after addressed  a letter  to  the  Commanding  Officer  of  this  post,  Lieut. -Col. 

John  A.  Paegelow,  Air  Corps,  stating; 

"The  excellent  appearance  of  your  troops  and  post  at  my  recent  inspection 
clearly  indicated  a highly  satisfactory  state  of  efficiency  and  discipline  which 
reflects  credit  not  only  upon  you  but  also  upon  the  other  officers  and  the  en- 
listed men  of  your  command.  The  utilities  of  the  post  are  efficiently  and 
economically  administered. 

For  the  above  conditions  I wish  to  commend  you  and  through  you  the  other 
members  of  your  command. 11 

— -oOo— 

-158-  V-6012 , A . C . 


ROCKWELL  FIELD  PILOTS  STAGE  FLYING  EXHIBITI02T  FOR  CONVENTION 

For  the  entertainment  of  .delegates  to  the  Building!  and  Loan  Convention  at 
Coronado,  Calif.,  18  Pursuit-  planes  and  six  Curtiss  Condor  Bombers  from  Rockwell 
Field  staged  an  aerial  review"  on  Mp.y  23rd.  The  planes  saspt  overhead  in  striking 
formation,  led  by  Lieut.  Howard,  Commanding  Officer  of  the  11th  Bombardment 
Squadron , and  co- inventor  of  the.  radio  . .communication  system  used  for  the  inter- 
change of  signals  between  plane?.  Following  a half  hour  of  formation  flying, 
two  Pursuit  planes  took  the  air,  the  pilots  staging  an  exhibition  of  aerial 
acrobatics,  taking  the,  form  of  a typical  "dog  fight11  over  the  heads  of  the 
spectators, 

— — o0o«- .•■*»  -* 

VALUABLE  INFORMATI OH  FOR  THOSE  INTERESTED  IN  AVIATION 

Those  desiring  to  brush  up,  their  Imowledge  on  various  phases,  of  aeronautics 
may  be  interested  to. learn  that  the  War  Department  has  issued  quite  a number  of 
interesting  pamphlets  on  heavier- thaii-air  and  1 ight er~ than-a ir  aviation.  These 
pamphlets  may  be  obtained  at  nominal  cost  from  the  Superintendent  of  Documents, 


Government  Printing  Office,  Washington,  D.C. 

Among  these  pamphlets  the  following  are  listed,  vis: 

TRAINING  REGULATIONS"  PRICE 

440-15  Fundamental  Principles  for  the  Employment  of  the  Air  Service  .05 

440-40  Aerial  Gunnery  and  Bombing  .10 

440-275  The  Airship  Pilot  .05 

440-300  Theory  of  Ballooning  .05 

TECHNICAL  REGULATIONS 

1170-  50  Aircraft  Instruments  .25 

1170-  65  The  Airplane  .20 

1170-  75  Airdrome  Equipment  .05 

1170-205  Theory  of  Flight  (Heavier- than- Air)  .15 

1170-215  Balloons  and  Accessories  .15 

1170-250  The  Nonrigid  Airship  .15 

1170-265  Balloon  and  Airship  Hajqg^rs  .10 

1170-290  Airship  Aerodynamics  A .15 

1170-295  Aerostatics  .15 

TRAINING  MANUALS  . 

2170-  5 Aerial  Photography  .55 

2170-  6 Basic  PhotogTaphy  1.00 

2170-35  Identification  of  Aircraft  .35 

2170-45  Airship  Coxswain  .05 

2170-72  The  Parachute  Rigger  .05 

oOo— . 


DEDICATION  OF  HATBQX  FIELD 

A flight  of  the  430th  Pursuit  Squadron  (Reserve.)  made  a journey  from 
Richards  Field,  Kansas  City,,  Me.  to  Muskogee,  Okla. , to  participate  in  the 
dedication  ceremonies  of  Hatbox  Field,  the  new.  municipal  airport  at  Muskogee. 

The  flight  was  under  the  command  of  Captain  William  B.  Wright,  Commanding 
Officer  at  Richards  Held,  flying  a Curtiss  0-11,  accompanied  by  Major  John  P. 
Beeson,  medical  officer  at  Richards  Field.  Lieut.  Henry, G.  Stahl,  Reserve,  fly- 
ing a Douglas  02- C,  and  accompanied  by  Master  Sergeant  James  E.  McKesson,  acted 
as  aid  to  Captain  Wright. 

The  following  Reserve  officers  participated:  Captains  Manvel  H.  Davis  and 
John  W.  Ransom,  1st  Lieufcs.  Francis  J.  Bass tag,  David  R.  Boylan,  John  M.  Cross, 
Roy  C.  Farrell,  Wofford  E.  Lewis,  2nd  Lieuts.  Alfred  D.  Hillman,  Burt  E, Lawrence, 
Ben.  A.  Sweeny,  Homer  L.  ..Bredouw,  also  3.A.  Babb  of  the ’enlisted  air  reserve. 

This  Reserve  personnel  utilized  six  PT-l  planes. 

The  flight  left  Richards  Hold  at  9:30  a.m. , May  26th,  and  arrived  at  the 
Municipal  Field  at  Chanute,  Kansas,  at  11:35 'a.m.  After  the  planes  were  refueled 
and  the  -personnel  partook  of  lunch,  the  airmen  left  Chanute  at  1:05  p.m. » and  ■ 
•arrived  at  Hatbox  Field,  Muskogee,  Okia.. , at  3:20  p,m»  Tie  total  airline  dis- 
tance of  230  miles  was  covered  in  a flying  time  of  4 hours  and  20  minutes. 

On  the  return  trip  the  flight  left  Muskogee  at  XCklo  a.m..,  May  27th,  arrived 
at  Chanute,  Kansas,  for  lunch  and  servicing  of  planes  at  12:00  noon;  left  Chanute 
at  1:25  p.m. , and  arrived  at  Richards  Field  at  2:50  p.m.,  the  total  flying  time 
being  3 hours  and  10  minutes. 


-159- 


V- 6013, A. C. 


■ - - • . 7,'-.  . . t ?.■'•••  'T.  • 

On  "both  trips  the  -weather  conditions  were  good.  Going  to  Muskogee  the 
planes  had  to  hack  an  18-mile  per  hoar  headwind,  hat  on  the  return  trip  the 
flyers  were  favored  with  a 15-mile  tail  wind. 

Under  operations  orders  issued  hy  the  Commanding  Officer,  the  PTl s were 
divided  into  two  flights  of  three  planes  each.  Loose  formation  was  permitted 
on  the  way,  with  closing  up  into  tight  formation  upon  approaching  landing 
fields. 

The  pilots  alternated  control  on  each  leg  of  the  trip,  and  likewise  the 
planes  alternated  in  position  in  formation  on  each  leg,  so  that  each  pilot  had  i 
practice  as  flight  leader  part  of  the  time,  and  flying  experience  during  half 
of  the  trip  and  observation  experience  during  the  other  half. 

At  Muskogee  the  men  received  the  best  of  treatment . Upon  registering  at 
the  field,  each  one  was  given  a room  at  the  Hotel  Sevens  and  meal  tickets. 

Each  one  was  also  invited  to  the  party  given  for  the  visitors  at  the  Country 
Club,  where  there  was  dancing  and  other  entertainment. 

The  flight  was  a great  success,  both  in  flying  experience  and  enjoyment. 
There  were  no  forced  landings,  and  the  only  casualties  suffered  were  a few  sun- 
burnt noses. 

— oOo 

CLEVELAND  AIRPORT  HAS  MOT  AERIAL  VISITORS 

During  the  month  of  May,  a number  of  interesting  visitors  stopped  at  the 
hangar  of  the  37th  Division  Air  Service  on  the  Cleveland  Airport.  Among  these 
were  Captain  Ira  C.  Esker,  of  Soiling  Field,  in  a Lockheed,  with  General  Fechet, 
Chief  of  the  Air  Cores,  and  General  Brown  as  passengers;  Lieut.  Albert  E. 
Hegehberger  from  fright  Field,  with  Major  B.F.  Mitchell  as  passenger;  Lieut. 

R.  Scott,  of  Chanute  Field,  in  a P-1;  Lieut,  f .1.  McCormack  of  Wright  Field  in 
a P-1;  Major  Sumpter  Smith,  Commanding  Officer  of  the  106th  Observation  Squadron 
at  Birmingham,  Alabama,  in  an  0-2;  Lieut.  John  M.  Donaldson  of  the  same  Squadron 
in  an  0-11;  Lieut.  Vincent  Meloy,  of  the  Militia  Bureau,  Washington,  D.C.,  in  an 
0-2;  Captain  R.G.  Breen,  of  Wright  Field,  accompanied  by  four  staff  officers  of 
the  Fifth  Corps  Area,  in  a Fokker  C-7-A;  Lieuts.  j.J.  O'Connell,  John  J.  Nedwed 
and  Robert  D.  Johnston,  of  the  3rd  Attack  Groux>  at  Fort  Crockett,  Texas;  Major 
H.E.,  Johnson,  of  the  43rd  Division  Air  Service  at  Hartford,  Conn.,  in  a BT-1; 
Lieut.  W.W,  Welch,  of  Xelly  Field,  in  an  Attack  ship;  Lieut.  F.O.  Carroll  of 
Wright  Field  and  Major  Hale,  of  Bolling  Field,  in  an  LB-6  Bomber. 

oOo 

BALLOON  RACE  TO  START  INDEPENDENCE  DAY 

Three  teams  have  been  selected  by  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  to  re-present 
the  Army  in  the  National  Elimination  Balloon  Race,  originally  scheduled  to 
start  from  Houston,  Texas,  on  June  10th,  but  subsequently  changed  to  July  4th. 

These  three  teams  are  enumerated  below,  a s follows; 

Lieut.  Walter  D.  Buie,  Air  Corps  (pilot)  of  Langley  Field,  Va. , aiid 
Lieut.  John  P.  Xidwell,  Air  Corps  (aide)  of  Scott  Field,  Belleville,  111. 

Captain  Earl  S.  Axtater,  Air  Corps  (pilot)  of  Wright  Field,  Dayton, 

Ohio,  and  Lieut.  Ralph  S.  Holmes  (aide)  of  Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma. 

Lieut.  William  R.  Turnbull,  Air  Corps  (-pilot)  and  Lieut.  Courtland 
M.  Brown,  Air  Corps  (aide)  both  stationed  at  Scott  Field,  Belleville,  111. 

The  Operations  Officer  for  the  Army  Air  Corps  teams  is  Lieut.  Haynie 
McCormick,  who  is  stationed  at  Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma. 

A total  of  fifteen  teams  will  participate  in  this  annual  free  balloon  com- 
petition, the  other  twelve  participants  being  three  teams  from  the  Navy  and 
nine  civilian  teams. 

The  teams  finishing  in  one,  two,  three  order  in  this  race  will  re-present 
the  United  States  in  the  International  Balloon  Race  which  will  start  from 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  on  September  1st  next. 

— oOo 

Enlisted  men  of  the  Ohio  National  Guard  have  formed  the  37th  Division  Aero 
Club  and  are  perfecting-  -plans  for  learning  to  fly.  It  has  not  been  decided 
whether  the  Club  will  buy  an  airplane  or  will  contract  for  their  flying  time 
with  a neighboring  school. 

-160-  , V-6Q12,A.C. 


JULY  CLASS  FOR  PRIMARY  FLYING  'SCHOOLS-  SELECTED 


A total  of  2.36  civilian  and-  enlisted  candidates  were-  selected  by  the  Chief 
of  the  Air  Corns  to  undergo  flying  training  at  the  two  Primary  Flying  Schools 
of  the  Air  Corps,  commencing  July  1st  next.  Of  this  number,  91  civilian  And 
23  enlisted  candidates,  will  go  to  the  Primary  Flying  School  at  Brooks  Field, 

San  Antonio,  Texas,  and  112  civilian  and  10  enlisted  candidates  to  the  one  at 
March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif. 

The  selection  of  the  members  of  this  class  was'  made  in  accordance  with  the 
policy  adopted  by  the  War  Department  governing  the  appointment  of  Qualified 
candidates  as  Flying  Cadets,  in  accordance  therewith  preference  was  given, first, 
to  31  enlisted. men  of  the  Air  Corps  who  have  served  at  least  six  months;  second, 
to  two  enlisted  men  of  .the  other  branches  of  the  service  of  similar  minimum 
length  of  service;;  third,  to  17  officers  and  enlisted  men  of  the  National  Guard 
who  have  served  with  Air  Corps  units  for  at  least  six  months;  fourth,  to  ten 
college  graduates  who  are  graduates  of  Air  Corps  Reserve  Officers*  Training 
Corps  Units;  fifth,  to  83  college  graduates  who  are  graduates  of  Reserve  Officers 
Training  Corps  Units  .of  other  branches  of  the  military  service;  sixth,  to  47 
other  officers  and  enlisted  men  cf  the  National  Guard  of  at  least  six  months* 
service;  and,  seventh,  to  46  graduates  of  recognized  colleges  and  universities. 

Among  the  candidates  making  up  the  July  class , more  of  them  hail  from  the 
State  of  California  than  from  any  other  State  in  the  Union.  With  23  candidates, 
California  led  Texas,  her  nearest  competitor,  by  two.  Los  Angeles  led  the  cities 
with  seven  successful  candidates-,  followed  by  Chicago  and  San  Antonio  with  six 
each,  and . Charleston,  S . C . , with  five. 

Students  who  successfully  complete  the  eight  months*  intensive  course  of 
training  at  the  Primary  Flying  School  are  sent  to  the  Advanced  Flying  at  Kelly 
Field, .San  Antonio,  Texas,  for  a four  months’  advanced  course,  following  the 
completion  of  which  they  are  given  their  "wings,"  rated  as  Airplane  Pilots,  and 
those  not  holding  commissions  are  appointed  2nd  Lieutenants  in  the  Air  Corps 
Reserve . 


The  names  of  the  successful  enlisted  candidates  in  the  July  class  are  given 
elsewhere  in  this,  issue.  The  civilian  candidates  are  enumerated  below,  viz-,: 
CIVILIAN  CANDIDATES  TO  GO  TO  BROOKS  FIELD,  TEXAS. 


James  R.  Reed  ' 
George  P.  Boozer 
Wm.  C . McDonald, Jr. 
Edwin  R.  Jones 
Roy  J.  Akin 
Edgar  Ross  Camp 
Hudmon  S.  Langley 
Thomas  .C.  Salter 
John  Ross  Spencer 
Walter  E.  Womble,Jr. 
Richard  ,C.'  Hughes 
Jack  D.  Magee 
Remo.  J.  Prosper! 
Richard  E.  Ziegler 
Norman  R.  . Hues ton 
Joe  C.  Golds by 
Richard  Crabbs 
Frank  Nash 
Louis  C.  Crouch 
Harry  W . Gorman 
Edgar  C . '.Walthall ' 
James  A. Abercrombie 
Edward  G.  Nabell, Jr. 
Henry  T.  Myers 
Roy  Lilley 
Thomas  B,  Mixon 
Troy  W . Crawford 
Arthur  D . Parker , Jr. 
A. Lester  Chilman 
William  F.  Day, Jr. 
Joseph  A.  Kunkel- 
Alva  V.R.  Marsh 


Auburn,  Ala.  ’ 
Birmingham,  Ala. 

«i 

Childers  bur g , Ala . 
Notasulga,  Ala. 
Tuscaloosa,  Ala. 

ii 

ii 

University,  Ala. 
Fort  Smith,  Ark. 
Washington,.  D.C. 

ii 

ii 

it  ' • ■ 

S . We  1 1 ing  t on , C o’nn , 

' Gainesville,  Fla. 
Orlando,  Fla.. . 
Decatur,  Ga, 
Athens,  Ga. 

it 

■Atlanta,  Ga. 

Dahl onega,  Ga. 

East 'Point,  Ga. 
Tiff on,  Ga. 

Baton  Rouge, La. 
Lafayette,  La. 
Mangham,  La. 

New  Orleans, La. 

Bar  Harbor,'  Me.  • 
Ogunpuit,  Me. 
Baltimore,  Md.- 

ii 


H.  Edward  Wheeler 
Louis  N. Cit singer 
Horace  L.Dunkle, Jr . 

. Winslow.  A.  Collins 
Joseph  deMarco, Jr. 

Hal  A.  Moore 
Frank  P.  Smith 
George .R.  Pepper 
George  A.Hersan, Jr. 
Railford  F.  .McMillan 
Harry  W.  Harrison 
Maynard  Pilling 
Robert  0.,  Hereford  .. 
Jerra  Wilcox 
Joseph  D.  Findley,  Jr. 
Edward  M.  Hinton 
John  L.  Nissley 
Alfred  3.  Bennett 
Frank  J.  Prime 
S.  Wallace  Fishbein 
Wm.  R.  Galligan,  Jr. 
Christian  K.  Ebersole 
Lawrence  S . S emails 
George  R,  Champlin 
C.  Wesley  Schott 
Cecil  C.  Foxworth. 
Julian  W,.  Hall 
Osgood  A.  Hamlin 
Howard  R.  Jordan 
Joe  M.  Sutherland 
Robert  S . Crawford 
James  W.  Milam, Jr. 


College . Park,  Md. 
Boston,  Mass. 

tr 

Springfield,  Mass. 
Worcester,'  Mass. 

A.&  M.  College, Miss. 
Clarksdale,  Miss. 
Clinton,  Miss. 
Hanover,.  N.H. 
Bayonne,  N. J. 
Paterson,  N.J. 

Burke , N.Y. 

New  York  City,  N.Y. 
Canute,  Okla. 
Altoona,  Pa. 

Drexel  Hill,  Pa. 

El  i zabe  thtown , Pa , 
Philadelphia , Pa . 
ii 

Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

State  College, Pa, 

it  it 

Uniontown , Pa. 
•Kingston,  R.X. 
Providence , R. I . 
Charleston,  S.C. 
tr 
ii 
ii 
it 

Chester,  S.C. 
Clinton,  S.C. 


-161- 


V-6012,  A, C. 


BROOKS  FIELD  STUDENTS  (Continued) 


A.  G.  Thornton  - 
Louis  R.  Williamson 
Walter  C.  Guy 
James  R.  Williams 
John  J.  McCoy 
Sartain  Lanier 
Jas.  M.  DeBardelehon 
Karl  C.  Miller 
Tim  Roberson 
Percy  Larkin 
Claude  B.  Eorthuy* Jr. 
Edvard  Blount  Tucker 
Matt  Liar  tin  Gouger 
Benj , E.  Thompson 


Clinton,  S.C. 

I! 

Greenville,  S.C. 
Chattanooga , Tenn . 
Memphis,  Tenn. 
Nashville  , Tenn. 
College  Sta.  Texas 


Dallas , Texas . 


Port  Worth,  Texas 
Houston,  Texas. 


Hayward  A.  Moncrief 
C.  D.  0*Brien 
Patrick  E. Barnett, Jr, 
Charles  H.  Bertrand 
Howard  C.  Denison 
Edvard  A.  Garagnon 
Richard  A.  Saug 
Oven  Burke  Yung 
J.T.  Richardson, Jr. 
Ethan  IT.  Scott 
Norman  R. Bor den, Jr. 
Isidor  Goldman 
Robert  C.  Lybrook 


Kosse,  Texas. 

Port  Arthur, Texas 
San  Antonio, Texas 
ii 

it 

ii 

ii 

ii 

Wink,  Texas 
Randolph,  Vt. 
Woodstock, Va. 
Alexandria, Va. 
Blacksburg,  Ya. 


CIVILIAN  CANDIDATES  TO  GO  TO  MARCH  FIELD,  CALIF. 


Herbert  C. Chambers, Jr. 
J ohn  E . ITuhn 
Earl  M.  Jorgensen 
Earl  F.  McIntyre 
George  C.  Moore 
Will iam  Levi s , Jr . 

Homer  D.  Bernard 
Robert  S.  Angle 
H.  Donald  Gordon 
Ben  G.  Holloway 
Leslie  Raybold 
Edward  Bierer 
Herbert  H.Deardoff 
John  W.  Towle r 
Earl  T.  Massey 
Seymour  Tucker 
J ohn  0 . Zahn 
Harry  Heyn 
George  W.  Werner 
Hewitt  F.  Mitchell 
Richard  C.’  Re  gel 
Robert  J.  Boot 
Glenn  E.  Sinclair 
Randall  P.  Yates 
George  A.  Smeltzer 
Lowell  L . Howe 
■Frank  P.  Hanafin, Jr . 
Edw.  T.Schwendemann 
Louis  Russell  Black 
Graeme  S , Bond 
•Herbert  W.  Hul small 
J.  Melvin  Kernan 
Lester  M.  Marriner 
W.  Harold  Thompson 
Ronald  C . McLaughlin 
Harry  A.  Ruhe 
Bernard  Weis 
Elwood  J1  Dempsey 
J.F.  Ebbert 
Benton  W . Davis 
Chester  0.  Miller 
John  F.  Bigger staff 
Lorin  A.  Greene, Jr. 
Arthur  Queisser 
Richard  C.  Sperry 
Richard  J.  Schalliel 


Tucson,  Arizona  Robert  Y.  Dunn 

A1 tadena , Calif.  Ralph  S . J ohnson 

Berkeley, Calif . Thomas  B.  Case 

" Lacey  Edwin  Gee 

Coal inga , Calif.  Russell  J.  Smith 

Glendale, Calif.  Forrest  B.  Alspach 

Los  Angeles , Calif .Roscoe  T.  Nichols 


ii 
ii 
ii 

ti 

Oakland,  Calif. 

Pasadena , Calif. 
ii 

Pacific  Beach 
Redlands, Calif . 

San  Diego, Calif. 

San  Francisco  ■ 

San  Pedro, Calif. 

Stamford  Univ. 

Colorado  Spgs . Col . Ervin  A.  Schmidt 
Denver, 

it 


Evan  W. Chat field 
Mortimer  H . Benton , Jr . 
Robert  L.  Young 
Cha  s . J . McDo wal 1 
Francis  W.  Ralston 
Roy  0.  Ralston 
Wm.  B.  Brooks 
Ralph  M. ’Bentley 
Vernon  H.  Donaldson 
Lester  C.  Halton 
Valtoy  F.  Lund 
Martin  J.  Fuerst 
Carl  A.  Gerlicher 


Colo. 


Charles  A.  Dixon 
Victor  Dosing 
Re  ginal d L , Saunde r s 
Walden  C . Winston 
Donald'  0.  Baker 
Charles  W.  Clark 
Gilbert  Hazel 
Lee  S . White 
Frank  J . Havel ick , Jr . 

Aubrey  S..  Hurren 
Robert  C.  Majors 
Frank  E . Wittenberg 
James  C.  Baldwin 
Emil  J.  Bach 
Joseph  B.  Donnelly 
Highland  Pk,  111.  Lloyd  W.  Grant 
Kankakee,  111.  Joseph  H.  Hart,  Jr. 

Oak  Park,  111.  Robert  J.M.  Williams 
St. Charles, 111.  John  H.  Stewart 
Connernville , Ind. Alfred  F.  Tucker 
Greencastle,  Ind;  Fred’k  Von  Voigt  lander  11 

Indianapolis, Ind. , George  N.  Pardonner  Columbus , 
" James  F,  Stteohan  11 


Fort  Collins, Col 
Holly,  Col. 
Moscow,  Idaho.' 
Champaign, 111 . 
it 

Chicago,  111. 


Evanston,  111. 
Galesburg , 111 . 


W. Lafayette, Ind. 
ii  n ii 

Boone,  Iowa. 

Iowa  City, Iowa. 
Traer,  Iowa. 
Wilsey,  Kansas 
Manhat  tan , Kansas 
Dunleary,Ky. 
Lexington,  Ky. 

Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 
Detroit,  Mich. 
ii 

ti 

Orchard  Lake, Mich. 
Ovosso,  Mich. 
Pontiac,  Mich. 
Minneapolis , Minn. 
ii 

St.  Paul,  Minn. 
Winona,  Minn: 

Cape  Girardeau, Mo. 
Columbia,  Mo. 

Flat  River,  Mo. 
.Kansas  City, Mo. 
Knob  Nos ter,  Mo. 
St.  Louis,  Mo. 


University  City, Mo, 
Tipton,  Mo. 
Billings,  Mont. 
Lincoln,  Neb. 

Peru , Neb. . 

Tonopah,  Nevada 
Socorro,  N.M. 
Dayton,  Ohio. 
Cincinnati,  0. 

it 


ti 

ti 

Cleveland, 

ii 


0. 


0. 


Lafayette, Ind. 


Elbert  'H..  Schlanser 
Maurice  W.  Wiley 

•isa- 


Norvood,  0. 
Edgerton,  0. 
V-6012 jA.C. 


MARCH  FIERD  STUD  SHIS  (Continued) . 


Jerra  Wilcox 
Jack  M.  Malone 
Donovan  L. Campbell 
Vernon  E.  Cook  . 
Harry  E.  Taylor 
William  R.  Jost 
Robert  W.  Pollock 
Wistar  Rosenberg 
George  L. Thomson 
Boyd  A.  Sander t 


•Canute,  Ckla. 

Durant , Ckla. 
Oklahoma  City,0kla. 

ii 

ii 

Eugene , Oregon 
Portland,  Oregon 

it 

Hood  River, Ore. 
Brookings,  S.D. 


Carl  Swyter,  Blockings , S.D. 


Harold  B.  Goodell 
Robert  I,  Coons 
Richard  A.  Huff 
F.  Z.  Robertson 
Diehl  M.  Snyder 
Laurence  F.  Motl 
Daniel  F . Ritchie 
Harold  F. Thatcher 


Rapid  City,  S.D, 
Aberdeen,  Wash. 
Seattle,  Wash. 

ii 

Appleton,  Wis. 
Milwaukee,  Wid. 
West' Allis,  Wis. 
Laramie , Wyoming 


— oQq*— 


INDIANA  RATI  ORAL  GUARD  AIR  MEN  CO'  E ENDED  FOR  RELIEF  WORZ 


According  to  the  Hews  Letter  Correspondent,  the  men  of  the  113th  Observa- 
tion Squadron,  Indiana  Rational  Girard,  seem  all  puffed  up  these  days,  and  they 
have  a very  good  reason.  The  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Squadron  just  received  a 
letter  from  the  Chief  of  the  Militia  Bureau,  commending  the  organization  on  the 
flood  relief  work  done  during  the  Wabash  flood  in  January.  The  letter  from 
General  Wm.  G-.  Everson  is  as  follows: 

"It  is  highly  gratifying  to  the  Militia  Bureau  to  receive  information  of 
the  highly  meritorious  performance  of  hazardous  duty  by  the  38th  Division 
Aviation  in  connection  with  the  recent  flood  relief  work  in  the  flood  regions 
of  the  Wabash  Valley. 

The  commissioned  and  enlisted  personnel  of  the  38th  Division  Aviation  are 
congratulated  and  commended  for  their  resourcefulness,  zeal  and  efficiency  and 
for  their  high  degree  of  cooperation  with  both  military  and  civilian  organiza- 
tions similarly  engaged. 

The  flood  relief  work  so  well  performed  is  a concrete  example  of  the  valu- 
able aid  such  an  organization  may  render  to  local  and  State  authorities  in  an 
emergency. " 

Other  letters  of  commendation  were  received  from  the  Commanding  General  of 
the  Fifth  Corps  Area,  the  Commanding  General  of  the  38th  Division,  the  Adjutant 
General  of  Indiana,  American  Red  Cross  Rational  Headquarters  and  the  American 
Legion. 

oOo 

PERSONNEL  CHARGES  AT  MARCH  FIELD 

March  Field,  Riverside  Calif.,  is  gradually  losing  its  old-timers.  Sailing 
on  the  Trans-port  for  Hew  York  from  San  Francisco  on  Way  25th  were  Captain  Idwal 
H.  Edwards,  former  Commanding  Officer  of  the  53rd  School  Squadron,  who  is  to  re- 
port to  Langley  Field,  Va. , as  a student  at  the  A_ir  Corps  Tactical  School;  1st 
Lieut.  Zenneth  Garrett,  who  reports  to  Fort  Benjamin  Harrison,  Ind. , as  instruc- 
tor of  the  Organized  Reserves;  1st  Lieut.  Puay  L.  Owens,  for  three  years  Post 
Adjutant,  reports  to  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  for  duty;  1st  Lieut. 
James  M.  Bevans,  former  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Flying  Cadet  Detachment,  who 
reports  for  duty  in  the  Panama  Department. 

Leaving  for  the  Philippine  Islands  on  the  May  29th  Transport  were  Captain 
Aubrey  Hornsby,  1st  Lieut.  Fred  C.  Nelson,  former  Primary  Stage  Commander,  and 
1st  Lieut.  Wilfred  H.  Hardy. 

— -oOo— — — 

CONTACT  COURSES  ESTABLISHED  IN  HAWAIIAN  DEPT. 

In  order  that  officers  of  the  Air  Corps  and  those  of  the  ground  arms  may 
have  the  opportunity  of  establishing  that  sound  mutual  understanding  which  leads 
to  intelligent  intelligent  cooperation,  contact  courses  were  estanlished  in  the 
Hawaiian  Department.  Air  Corps  officers  are  to  be  attached  to  units  of  Infantry 
and  Artillery  for  brief  training  periods  and,  similarly,  officers  of  the  ground 
services .to  the  Air  Corps.  In  accordance  with  the  establishment  of  this  train- 
ing course,  the  following  officers  of  the  Hawaiian  Division  were  ordered  to 
temporary  duty  with  the  Fifth  Composite  Group,  Air*  Corps,  at  Luke  Field,  T.H., 
for  a period  of  two  weeks:  Captain  Ashley  S.~LeGette,  21st  Infantry;  1st  Lieut. 
Charles  H.  Hart,  Jr.,  35th  Infantry;  2nd  Lieuts.  Franklin  L.  Lichtenfels,  Hq.  and 

-16.3-  V-6012,  A.C. 


Mil.  Police  Co.  ; John  E»  perman,  Xlth  Field  Artillery;  John^A^-  McFarland,  13th 
Field  Artillery-;  John  D.  Hawkins,  27th  Infantry;  John  P.  Kaylor,  19th- -Infantry;- 
Forester  H.  Sinclair,  8th  Field  Artillery;  George  F.  Pierce,  64th  Coast  Artil- 
lery; Arthur  Roth,  H.qrs . Hawaiian  Dent . C.A.'  Brigade. 

The  following  Air  Corps  officers  were  ordered  to  ground  arms  units: 

Captain  Raymond  E.  O’Neill,  4th  Ohs.  Squadron;  Lieut.  James  F.J.  Early, 

4th  Ohs.  Squadron  and  Lieut.  Edgar  R.  Todd,  72nd  Bombardment  Squadron,-  all  of 
Luke  Field,  T.-H.- 

oOo 

CONSTRUCT! 01!  WORK  AT  MITCHEL  FIELD  ... 

Upon  the  completion  of  the.  new.  har racks , the  building  program  at  Mitchel 
Field,  N.Y.,  is  being  carried  on  “with  the -construction  of  new  quarters  for  non- 
commissioned officers.  The  plans  call  for  eight  double  sets  and  the  date  of 
completion  is  designated  as  November  15,  1930. 

These  new  ^quarters  will  be  the  first  structures,  to  greet  one’s  eyes  on  en- 
tering the  post-,  as  they  are.  being  constructed  on  the  very  edge  of  the  field 
facing  the  highway.  These  houses:  will  materially  add  to  the  improvement  of  the  . 
post. 

oOo — - - 

OLD  PHOTOGRAPHS  AVAILABLE 

Former  Air  Corps  officers  and  men,  and  this  includes  Flying  Cadets,  who  are- 
wondering  how  that  ’’old  gang' of  mine"  looked  during  the  days  of  the  late  war, may 
have,  a chance  to  satisfy  this  longing  if.  they  are  in  any  of  the  groups  listed  be- 
low and  write  early  enough  for  the  information. 

The  News  Letter  Editor  has  several  old  photographs  taken  during  the- war. 

The  originals  have  been  filed  away  for  reference , but  a number  of-  extra  copies 
are  available  for  distribution,  viz';  .v  . -•!•.{  1 

No.  -Conies  - Date  taken  - - ■ Group 

.1  Dec. .19, 1.91 7.  S.M.A.  .at  University  of  Calif.  Entire  student  body. 

2 May-  1913  Aviation  Mechanics  Training  School  at  .St.  Paul, Minn. 

Enlisted  personnel  and  detachment  commander's. 

1 May  29,1918  200th  Aero  Squadron  personnel,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 

1 May  29,1918  201st  Aero  Squadron  personnel,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 

1 1920  -'Personnel  Air  Service  Mechanics  School, Kelly  Field. 

1 May  30,  1918  Test  Squadron  Personnel,  A.M. T.S.,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 

2 Not  Dated  S/M.A.  at  Austin,  Texas.  Instructors, .with  roster. 

1 July  -3,1918  S.M.A.  at  Cornell  Uuiv.  , Squadron. L,  Class  of 

...  July  6,  1913,  with  roster. 

1 Nov. 19, 1917  S.M.A.  at  Cornell  University.  Instructors.  . 

Any  member  of, one  of  the  above  groups  will  be  sent .a  copy ' of  the  photograph 
in  question  by  writing  to  the  Editor  of  the  -Air. .Corps  News. Letter,  Office  Chief' 

. of  the  Air  Corps,  War • Department , Washington,;  D.  C.  The  first  . one;  writing  in 
receives  the  copy.  . , 

In  connection  with  the  above,  it  might  be  well  to  state  at  this  time  that 
the  editor  of  this  publication  is  always  glad  to  receive  notes  and  arti cles  from 
former  members  of  the  Air  Corps.  Up  to  this  time,  members  of  the  Reserve  Corps' 
have  been  peculiarly  silent.  Many  of  them  are  at  present  actively  engaged' or 
dabbling  in  aviation.  Many  have  unusual  experiences  hinging  on  their  previous 
service  and  their  present  occupation  and  are  qualified  to  write  as  authorities 
on  some  phase  of  aviation.  We  would  be  pleased  to  hear  from  them  all. 

— oOor--- 

MITCKEL  FIELD  PILOTS  AID  CUPID 

Within  the  last  two  weeks  on  two. separate . occasions  officers  from  other  , 
branches  of  the  service  have  taken  that  fatal  leap  at  New  London,  Conn. , and 
each  time  there  has  been  a great  demand  for  best  men  and  ushers  from  Mitchel  ' 
Field.  The  desired  personnel  has  been  whisked  across  the  Sound  in  nothing  flat. 
The  natives  of  the  town  and  countryside  have  ceased  to. look  up  when  a Falcon 
emits  a yowl  up  above,  merely  heaving  sighs  and. saying:  "Just . another  wedding." 

-164-*  ' ' V~60i2,A.C. 


MORE  CANDIDATES  INITIATED  IITTOTHE  CATERPILLAR  CLUB 

The  number  of  emergency  parachute  jumps  made  in  this  country  recently  pass- 
ed the  250  mark*  gram  the  rate  at  which  initiations  into  the  Caterpillar  Club 
has  been  going  on  of  late  it  seems  that  it  will  not  be  long  before  the  300  mark 
will  be  reached. 

In  the  last  issue  of  the  Hews  Letter  it  was  stated  that  the  membership  of 
the  Club  was  225,  with  236  as  the  total  number  of  emergency  jumps  recorded. 

Right  now  the  Caterpillar  Club  membership  list  shows  23S  names,  with  251  jumps. 
The  latest  airman  to  join  the  ranks  of  the  second  degree  members  is  Samuel  J. 
Samson,  Air  Mail  Pilot,  whose  second  jump  occurred  on  May  24th  while  flying 
over  Bedford,  12  miles  southeast  of  Cleveland,  Ohio..  "Sammy"  encountered  motor 
trouble  and,  after  staying  aboard  to  the  last  possible  minute  tossing  the  mail 
over  the  side,  he  left  himself  scant  time  to  leap  to  safety.  As  he  neared  the 
ground  his  parachute  was  grazed  by  a high-tension  wire.  Samson*  s.  first  jump 
was  made  over  a year  ago  (March  22,  1929)  while  flying  the  Air  Mail  over  Lansing, 
Indiana. 

At  the  close  of  last  year  the  Caterpillar  Club  roster  showed  207  names. 
Caterpillar  Ho.  208  was  the  first  candidate  initiated  into  the  Club  in  1930,  and 
he  was  followed  by  3l  others  up  to  and  including  May  30th. 

As  has  been  mentioned  in  the  Hews  Letter  on  a number  of  previous  occasions, 
it  is  a rather  difficult  proposition  to  keep  an  accurate  check  on  all  emergency 
jumps  made.  It  is  by  no  means  certain  whether  the  Caterpillar  Club  roster  main- 
tained in  the  Information  Division,  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  is 
complete,  since  newspapers  are  about  the  only  source  of  information  on  jumps 
made  by  civilian  flyers,  nowadays  press  reports  on  emergency  jumps  are  very 
meager.  Some  newspapers  do  not  even  carry  such  items,  which  goes  to  prove  an 
old  adage  which,  couched  in  modern  language,  may  be  quoted  as  "Toe  much  is 
plenty. " 

Below  is  a list  of  names  of  persons  who  have  made  emergency  jumps  since  the 
first  of  the  year,  viz: 


Ho.  on 
Roster 

Date 

Name 

Rank 

Place  of  Junto . 

208 

Jan. 

6 

William  C.  Mills 

• 2nd  Lt.  A.C.  Reserve 

Galveston,  Texas. 

209 

Jan. 

6 

Lindsey  L.  Braxton 

Staff  Sgt.  Air  Corps 

Gal ve  s t on , Texas . 

210 

Jan. 

7 

George  Law 

Civilian 

San  Juan  Pubelo ,N..M, 

211 

Deb. 

6 ' 

Almon  S.  Farrar 

Staff  Sgt.  Air  Coups 

Dodd  Field/  Texas.  . 

212 

Feb. 

18 

Clifford  March 

Air  Mail  Pilot 

Flint,  Mich. 

213 

March 

6 

Joseph  A.  Bulger 

2nd  Lt.  Air  Corps 

Hear  Sparta,  Mo. 

214 

March  11 

F.M.  Hopkins,  Jr. 

1st  Lt . Air  -Corps 

Chase,  Md., 

215 

March 

11 

Archie  D.  Cook 

Private , Air  Corps 

Chase,  Md. 

216 

March 

25 

Verne  E,  Treat 

Air  Mail  Pilot 

Aitietam,  Md... 

217 

March 

25 

Stephen  R.  Shores 

Civilian 

Glendale,  Calif. 

218 

March  27 

Penny  Rogers 

Civilian 

Wichita,  Kansas. 

219 

March 

30 

Mildred  Kauffman 

Civilian 

Buffalo,  N.T, 

190 

March  30 

Harry  Sievers* 

Air  Mail  Pilot 

Warren,  Ohio. 

220 

April 

2 

James  M.  Shutt 

Civilian 

Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

221 

April 

5 

H . C . Hartung 

Civilian 

Detroit,  Mich. 

222 

April 

10 

Frank  I . Spangler 

Flying  Cadet 

March  Field,  Calif. 

223 

April 

12 

William  F.  Dohrman 

Civilian 

San  Fran cisco, Cal if. 

224 

April 

12 

Henry  Michaels 

Civilian 

San  Francisco,  Calif. 

225 

April 

22 

Irvin  A.  Woodring 

2nd  Lt.  Air  Corps 

Mather  Field, Calif. 

226 

April 

26 

Henry  J.  Brown 

Air  Mail  Pilot 

Olanda,  Calif. 

227 

May 

2 

W.,L.  Green 

Corporal, Air  Corps 

Fresno,  Calif’, 

228 

May 

2 

C.  A.  Davis 

Sergeant, Air  Corps 

Fresno,  Calif. 

229 

May 

2 

Tony  Wasilevich 

Private, Air  Corps 

Fresno,  Calif. 

230 

May 

2 

Roy  Stokes 

Private,  Air  Corps 

Fresno,  Calif. 

: 231 

May 

2 

John  Koziak 

Private,  Air  Corns 

Fresno , .Calif . 

232 

May 

2 

John  Lockwood 

Private , Air  Corps 

Fresno,  Calif. 

233 

May 

15 

Tallmadge  L.  Boyd 

Lieut  .A.C.  Reserve 

Hawaiian  Waters 

234 

May 

15 

H.  Alexander 

Staff  St.  Air  Corps 

Hawaiian  Waters 

235 

May 

15 

H.  L.  Cowan 

Private,  Air  Corps 

Hawaiian  Waters 

236 

May 

19 

John  D,  Kreysslor 

Flying  Cadet,  A.C. 

San  Antonio,-  Texas 

237 

May 

19 

A.  S.  Merrifield 

Flying  Cadet 

Sen  Antonio,  Texas 

129 

May 

24 

Samuel  J . Samson* 

Air  Mail  Pilot 

Bedford,  Ohio. 

238 

May 

27 

E.  F.  Keissig 

Flying  Cadet,  A.C. 

Texon,  Texas. 

239 

May 

30 

Lloyd  Edmund  Hunt 

Flying  Cadet,  A.C. 

Tipton,  Oklahoma. 

* Second  degree  members. 

-165- 


V-6012,A.C 


Readers  of  the  News  Letter  will  confer  a favor  upon  the  editor  by  sending 
in  the  names  of  such  persons  who  have  made  emergency  parachute  jumps  this  year 
and  who  are  not  mentioned  in  the  above  tabulation,  giving  the  date  of  such 
jumps  and  a brief  account  of  the  circumstances  surrounding  same. 

Several  reports  were  lately- received', t giving  the  details  on  a,  fet  o«f  the 
recent  emergency  jumps,  and  these  are  quoted  below,  as  follows: 

JOHN  D.  KREYSSLER,  Flying  Cadet,  Air  Corps,  was  practicing  aerial  combat  with 
Cadet  A ,S0  Merrifield,  while  flying  in  a Pursuit  ship,  type 
Pl-D,  on  May  19th,  at "about  11:05  a.m. , approximately  IS  miles  West-North-West 
of  ICelly  Field,  Texas. 

"We  each  turned  toward  the  other,"  Cadet  Kreyssler  stated,  "and  struck 
nearly  head  on,  not  having  room  to  again  turn  away.  The  ship  was  not  under 
control  but  was  spinning  down  when  I jumped,  using  an  Irvin  service  seat  type 
parachute.  Upon  the  impact  of  the  two  ships,  I was  stunned  so  badly  that  I 
have  no  remembrance  of  the  speed  of  the  ship,  how  I left  or  how  I pulled  the 
rip  cord  or  how  far  I fell  before  the  parachute  opened.  All  my  auctions  were 
due  to  my  subconscious  mind.  I have  a vague  remembrance  of  realizing  I had 
been  hit  and  a whipping  motion  of  my  ship.  I believe  I felt  it  four  times,  and 
I have  a faint  remembrance  of  releasing  the  safety  belt  on  the  first  attempt  and 
trying  to  stand  up  in  the  cockpit.  After  a couple  of  attempts,  I managed  to 
stand  part,  way  up.  Everything  seemed  still  with  no  pitching  motion  and  next  I 
was  conscious  of  was  that  I was  reaching  with  my  left  hand  for  the  rip  cord. 

It  was  some  time  before  I felt  the  parachute  open  and  I have  no  remembrance 
of  changing  hands  or  pulling  the  cord,  and  as  I felt  the  parachute  open  I glanced 
slightly  over  my  left  shoulder  and  was  impressed  with  the  fact  that  Cadet  A.S. 
Merrifield* s parachute  was  open  some  distance  above  me.  I relaxed  and  became 
completely  unconscious  and  have  no  remembrance  whatsoever  of  gliding  to  earth. 

I have  only  a very  faint  remembrance  of  landing  and  falling  to  the-  ground,  face 
down,  in  the  direction  the  parachute  dropped.  There  was  a four-mile  surface 
wind,  so  I was  not  dragged.  The  weather  was  excellent. 

My  ankles  pained  me  terribly,  and  when  I first  attempted  to  stand  up  I fell 
over  again.  After  lying  there  some  time,  I again  arose  and  started  walking 
around  the  parachute,  still  stunned  but  regaining  consciousness.  I have  no 
knowledge  of  when  I freed  myself -from  the  harness  and  I was  still  pacing  around 
the  parachute  when  Mr.  Hoffman  found  me.  He  took  me  to  his  wagon  and  went  to 
find  Cadet  Merrifield,  and  upon  returning  with  him  we  went  to  his  home  where  we 
reported  ourselves  to  the  Operations  Officer  at  Kelly  Field.  I received  a 
slightly  sprained  ankle  from  the  landing." 

AUSTIN  S.  MERRIFIELD,  Flying  Cadet,  Air  Corps,  was  practicing  aerial  acrobatics 
with  Cadet  J.  D.  Kreyssler  in  a P-1  plane  at  an  altitude  of  4500  feet  about  16 
miles  northeast  of  Kelly  Field  at  11:05  a.m.  May  19th. 

"I  was  approaching  the  other  plane  in  a head  on  manner  at  a little  below 
its  level,  the  engine 'turning  about  2,000  r.p.m. , and  ail  air  speed  of  about  125 
m.p.h. ,"  Cadet  Merrifield  stated.  "To  avoid  collision  I banked  left.  The  other 
pilot  subsequently  stated  that  I was  in  his  * blind  spot’  and  that  he  thought  it 
best  to  dive  away.  A collision  of  the -right  wings  of  the  planes  ensued,  throwing  ' 
my  plane  into  a power  spin  instantly.  Finding  'that  thrusting  stick  all  the  way 
forward  had  no  effect  on  the  spin,  I leaped  from  the  plane  from  a standing  posi- 
tion. When  quite  clear  of  the  plane  I -milled  the  rip  cord.  The  Irving  seat 
type  parachute  opened  immediately  and  I watched  my  plane  spin  to  the  ground  and 
crash  in  the  mesquite. 

I landed  about  600  yards  from  the  plane  in  a mesquite  tree.  Very  little 
sensation  of  falling  was  experienced,  After  the  parachute'  opened  there  was  rather  | 
feeling  of  ease.  No  physical  injury  was  sustained. 

LLOYD  EDMUND  HUNT*  Flying  Cadet,  Air  Corps,  with  Cadet  Harold  John  Fahring,  both  . ■ 
students  at  the  Advanced  Flying  School,  Kelly  Field,  Texas-, 
were  flying  in  an  02-A  airplane  on  a cross-country  training  mission  on  the  morn-  j 
ing  of  May  30th.  While  three  miles  south  of  Tipton,  Oklahoma,  the  control  stick  1 
was  caught  in  the  wires  leading  from  the  radio  control  box,  causing  the  airplane 
to  fall  in  a spin  from  1,000  feet- altitude.  Cadet  Hunt  cleared  the  airplane  with 
his  parachute  and  landed  on  the  ground » without  injury.  Unfortunately,  Cadet  ' 

Fahring1  s parachute  became  entangled  in  the  tail  group  of  the  plane  after  he  left  i 
it  and  was  carried  down  in  the  crash. 


: 


-166- 


V- 6012, A. C. 


WAR  DEPARTMENT  ORDERS  AFFECTING-  AIR  CORPS  OFFICERS 
Changes  of  Station; 

Major  Fred  H.  Coleman,  Aberdeen  Proving  Ground,  Md. , to  Materiel  Division, 
Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  effective  July  10th. 

Major  John  N.  Reynolds,  Langley  Field,  to  Aberdeen  Proving  Ground,  Md. 

Major  Walter  G.  Kilner,  Langley  Field,  to  Office  Chief  of  Air  Corps. 

Brigadier- General  Frank. P.  Lahra  relieved  from  command  of  Air  Corps  Training 
Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas,  July  16,  to  proceed  to  San  Francisco,  Calif.,  for 
duty  at  Headquarters,  9th  Corps  Area. 

Major  Lloyd  N.  Kee sling  frdm  Fit z simons  General  Hospital,  Denver,  Colo.,  to 
March  Field,  Calif. 

Captain  Hubert  V.  Hopkins , upon  completion  present  course  of  instruction  at 
Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology,  Cambridge,  Mass.,  to  Office  Chief  of  the 
Air  Corps. 

Captain  Charles  B.B.  Bubb  relieved  from  Office  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps, about 
August  18,  and  upon  completion  of  temporary  duty  to  which  assigned,  to  proceed 
not  later  than  June  7,  1931,  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  reporting  to  the 
Commandant  of  Command  and  General  Staff  School  for  duty. 

Following-named  officers  to  proceed  to  Philippines  for  duty:  Captain  Joseph 
H.  Davidson  and  1st  Lieut.  John  R . Hawkins  from  March  Field;  1st  Lieut . Uzal  G. 
Ent,  Crissy  Field;  1st  Lt.  Jack  Greer,  Rockwell  Field;  1st  Lt . Edward  H.  White 
and  2nd  Lieut.  Otto  Wienecke , Kelly  Field;  2nd  Lieut.  Marvin  M.  Burnside,  Brooks 
Field;  1st  Lieut.  James  S.  Stowell,  Chanute  Field;  2nd  Lieut.  Allen  R.  Springer, 
Edgewood  Arsenal , Md. 

Upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in  Philippines,  1st  Lieut.  Charles  W. 
Steinmetz  to  Middletown,  Pa.,  Air  Depot;  1st  Lieuts.  Clarence  C.Wilsor.to  .Mitchel 
Field;  Arthur  L.  Bump  and  Bob  E.  Nowiand  to  Air  Corps  Training  Center,  Duncan 
Field,  Texas;  James  L.  Grisham  to  Rockwell  Field;  1st  Lieut.  John  G.  Salsman  to 
Primary  Flying  School,  March  Field,  Calif. , for  duty  as  student. 

1st  Lieut.  Albert  B.  Pitts,  Chanute  Field,  to  Sheffield  Scientific  School, 
Yale  University,  for  duty  as  student,  about  August  1st. 

1st  Lieuts.  John  P.  Richter,  Howard  Z.  Bogert  and  Harold  H.  Carr,  Wright 
Field,  to  Cambridge,  Mass.*,  to  take  course  of  instruction  at  Massachusetts 
Institute  of  Technology. 

Captain  Wm.  E.  Lynd,  Office  Chief  of  Air  Corps,  to  Crissy  Field,  Calif., 
sailing  from  New  York  City  about  August  21,  1930. 

1st  Lieut.  Bennett  E.  Meyers,  upon  completion  of  present  course  of  instruc- 
tion at  Army  Industrial  College,  to  Materiel  Division,  Wright  Field,  Dayton, 0. 

1st  Lieut . James  C.  Cluck , upon  completion  present  course  of  instruction  at 
Army  Industrial  College,  to  Detroit,  Mich.,  as  Air  Corps  Procurement  Planning 
Representative. 

1st  Lieut . Samuel  C.  Eaton,  Jr. , from  duty  with  99th  Division,  Pittsburgh, 
Pa.,  to  duty  with  324th  Observation  Squadron,  Organized  Reserves,  Rodgers  Field, 
Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

Assignment  of  1st  Lieut.  Lionel  H.  Dunla-p  to  Fort  Sill,  Okla.,  upon  comple- 
tion of  foreign  duty  tour,  amended,  and  he  is  ordered  to  Langley  Field,  Va. 

1st  Lieuts.  John  S.  Gullet  and  'James  B.  Jordan,  upon  completion  of  present 
course  of  instruction  at  Army  Industrial  College,  to  Bolling  Field,  D.C.,  for 
temporary  duty;  then  to  Harvard  School  of  Business  of  Administration , Cambridge, 
Mass.,  about  September  15th. 

Following-named  officers  to  proceed  to  Air  Corps  Training  Center,  Duncan 
Field,  Texas,  not  later  than  June  1,  for  duty:  2nd  Lieuts.  Walter  R.  Agee  and 
Warren  H.  Higgins,  Langley  Field,  Ya. ; Donald  D.  Arnold,  Lfexwell  Field,  Ala.; 
Richard  E.  Cobb  and  Homer  L.  Sanders , Selfridge  Field,  Mich. ; Clarence  T.  Mower, 
Mitchel  Field,  N.Y. , 

1st  Lieut.  Delmar  H.  Dunton,  Kelly  Field,  to  Office  Chief  of  Air  Corps. 

1st  Lieut.  Fred  A.  Ingalls,  March  Field,  to  Scott  Field,  111. 

2nd  Lieut.  Ralph  E . Holmes,  March  Field,  to  Fort  Sill,Qkla.,  for  duty 
with  1st  Balloon  Company,  . 

2nd  Lieut.  William  C.  Sams,  Jr. , Kelly  Field  to  Dodd  Field,  Texas. 

Following-named  officers,  upon  completion  of  temporary- duty  at  Air.  Corps' 
Training  Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas,  to  proceed  about  July  1st  to  March  Field 
for  duty:  2nd  Lieuts.  Julius  T.  Flock,  Walter  W.  Gross,  Reginald’  Heber  and 
Robert  D.  Johnston,  Fort  Crockett ; Neil  B.  Harding  and  Fay  R.  Upthegrove, 

Selfridge  Field,  Mich.;  George;W.  McGregor,  Maxwell  Field,  Ala.;  Robert  E.L. 

Pirtle  and  Ronald  R.  Walker,  Marshall  Field,  Fort  Riley,  Kansas. 

-167- 


Y-6012,A.C 


Promotions,:.  1st  Lieut.  Auby  C.  Strickland  to  ‘tjkptain,  rank  from  April  16,1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  Howard  E.  Sutler  to  1st  Lieut. , rank  from  May  10,  1930. " 
Transferred frtmAir  Corns:  2nd  Lt.  Rogers  A . Gardner  to  the  Cavalry  at  Port 
Myer,  Va. 

1st  Lieut.  Leslie  F,.  Young,  to  Field  Artillery,  Fort  Bragg,  N.C. 

Detailed  to  the  Air  Corns : -2nd  Lt.  Richard  D.  Wentworth,  Field  Artillery,  to 
Primary  Flying.  School j-  Brooks  Field,  Texas,-  July  1st,  for  training. 

Relieved  .from  (detail  to  Air  Corps:  2nd  Lieut.  John  S.  Walker  to  18th  Field 
Artillery,  Fort - -Sill,  Oklahoma* 

2nd  Lieut.  Charles  C.W.  Allen  to  1st  Cavalry  Division,  Fort  Clark,  Texas. 

2nd  Lieut.  Logan  Clarke. to  6th  Infantry,  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo. 

2nd  Lieut.  Arthur  IC.  Noble  to  Infantry  2nd  Division,  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas. 

2nd  Lieut,  Marshall  Stubbs  to  17th  Infantry,  Fort  Crook,  Neb. 

2nd  Lieut.  John  W.  Hammond  to  6th  Infantry,  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mov 

2nd  Lieut.  David  F.  Brown  to  1st  Field  Artillery,  Fort  Sill,  Okla. 

2nd  Lieut.  John  S.  Walker  to  the  18th  Field  Artillery,  Fort  Sill,  Okla. 
Resignations : let  Lieut.  Charles  Reed  Evans,  2nd  Lieuts.  Edward  Laps ley  Anderson 
pnd  Charles  Frederick  Sugg,- 

Reserve  Officers  ordered  to  extended  active  duty:  July  2 to  Dec,  31,  1930  — 

2nd  Lt . Wm.  G.  Catron,  Lebanon,  Tenn. , to  Fort  Crockett,  Texas;  2nd  Lt.  Carl 
Brewer  Fry,  Coronado,  Calif.,  to  Rockwell  Field,'  Calif.;  2iid  Lieut.  Allen 
Cha-pman,  Oakland,  Calif.,  to  Crissy  Field,  Calif.;  2nd  Lt.  Everett  L. Edmondson, 
Chicago,  111.,  to  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas;  2nd  Lt.  William  D.  Herring,  Waco,  Tex., 
to  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas;  2nd  Lt.  Andrew  J.  Lanier,  Dallas,  Texas,  to  Fort 
Crockett,  Texas;  2nd  Lt.  Nelson  D.  Jenkins,  Oakland,  Calif.,  to  Crissy  Field, 
Calif.;  2nd  Lt.  Joseph  L-. Thomson,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  to  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Tex.; 
2nd  Lt..Murl  Estes,  Logan,  Mo.,  to  Selfridge  Field,  Mich.;  2nd  Lts.  Myron  E. 
Lackey,  San  Francisco,  and  Byron  S.  Cooper,  Minot,  N.D.,  to  Crissy  Field, Calif ! 
October  14,  1930,  to  Anril  12,  1931 — 2nd  Lt . Norman  L.  Barr, ' Boyle , Miss.,  to 
France  Field,  Panama  Canal  Zone;  June  8,  1930  to  June  7,  1931 — 2nd  Lt . August 
G.  Rehlmeyer.'  Alameda,  Calif.  , to  Crissy  Field;  June  29  to  December  p7,1930  - 
2nd  Lt . William  James  McCracken,  New  York  City,  to  Langley  Field, Va, ; August  21 
to  February  19.  1931  — 2nd  Lt.  James  IT.  Peyton,  Elizabeth,  N.J.,  to  Langley 
Field,  Va. ; June  1,  1930  to  May  51,  ...1951  — 2nd  Lt.  Walter  DeWitt  Cannon,  Jr., 
Honolulu,  T.H.,  to  Schofield  Barracks,  Honolulu,  T.H. 

oCo — - 

LIEUT.  MATHENY  PRESENTED  WITH  CHENEY  AWARD 

On  Monday  morning,  May  26th,  at  10:30  a.m. , the  Hon.  F.  Trubee  Davison, 
Assistant  Secretary  of  War  for  Aeronautics,  presented  the  Cheney  Award  to  2nd 
Lieut,  William  A.  Matheny,  Air  Corps,  for  an  act  of  valor  and  self  sacrifice 
-performed  at  Managua,  Nicaragua,  on  August  30,  1929.  The  ceremony  took  place 
at  Bolling  Field,  D.C.,  in  the  presence  of  the  officers  and  enlisted  men  at 
that  station  and  the  donors  of  the  Award,  Mrs.  Mary  L.C.  Scofield,  of  Peterboro, 
N.H. , and  Mrs.  Ruth  Cheney  Streeter,  of  Morristown,  N.J.,  the  mother  and  sister, 
respectively,  of'  the  late  1st  Lieut.  William  H.  Cheney,  killed  in  p.n  air  colli- 
sion at  Foggia,  Italy,  during  the  war,  in  whose  memory  the  Award  was  established. 

Lieut.  Matheny -is  the  third  member  of  the  Air  Corps  to  receive  the  Cheney 
Award,  his  valorous  conduct  in  rushing  to  the  assistance  of  Lieut.  Dwight  J. 
Canfield,  who  was  unable  to  move  following  the  crash  of  their  plane,  which  im- 
mediately burst  into  flames,  being  considered  by  a Board  of  Off icers , convened 
for  the  purpose  of  recommending  persons'  eligible  to  receive  this  Award,  to  be 
most  outstanding  and  meritorious.  The  Board  stated  that  the  heroism,  displayed 
by  this  officer,  in  disregarding  hie  own  safety  and  running  to  the  assistance 
of  Lieut.  Canfield,  with  certain  knowledge  of  catching  fire,  reflects  great 
credit  upon  himself  and  measures  up  to  the  traditions  of  the  military  service. 

After  leaving  Managua , one  of  the  motors  of  the  Bombing  plane  caught  fire. 
Lieut.  Matheny,  pilot,  immediately  turned  back,  with  his  right  motor  at  full 
throttle.  This  extra  burden  on  the  motor  overtaxed  it  to  such  an  extent  that  it 
froze,  and  being  at  too  low  an  altitude  to  permit  of  parachutes  being  used, 
the  pilot  made  the  best  landing  he  could  in  the  jungle.  Lying  beside  the  burning  j 
plane-,  conscious  but  unable  to  move,  with  his  clothing  on  fire,  Lieut.  Canfield 
was  rescued  by  Lieut.  Matheny.  The  latter's  clothing,  saturated  with  gasoline, 
also  caught  fire,  but  he  managed  to  drag  Lieut.  Canfield  into  the  open  at  the 
cost  of  severe  and  painful  hums  about  his  body. 


V-6012,A  .0. 


NOTES  FROM  AIR  CORPS  FIELDS 
- — 0O0 


Primary  Flying.  School,  March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif,,  May  21st 

Capt,  John  B.  Patrick  was  assigned,  to  the  command  of  the  53d  School  Squad- 
ron; 1st  Lieut.  Leon  E,  Sharon-,  former  Personnel  Adjutant,  was  assigned  as  Post 
Adjutant,  and  1st  Lieut,  Warren  A.  Maxwell  as  Commanding  Officer,  Headquarters 
13th  School  Group. 

A very  delightful  farewell  dance  w^s  given  at  the  Officers’  Club  on  May 
16th  for  the  officers  departing  from  the  Field  for  duty  elsewhere.  Dancing  was 
enjoyed  until  1:00  A.M,,and  light  refreshments  were  served  during  the  evening. 
Many  dinner  parties  were  held  prior  to  the  dance. 

Tech.Sgt,  Donald  E.  Sweeney,  70th  Service  Squadron,- was  promoted  to  Mr.Sgt, 
recently,  and  Staff  Sgt.  Stanford  J,  Lee,  17th  School  Squadron,  to  Tech.Sgt, 

The  baseball  team  of  the  51th  School  Squadron  journeyed  to  Santa  Maria,  Cal, 
on  May  17th  and  played  the  Hancock  Foundation  College  of  Aeronautics,  The  game 
lasted  ten  innings,  Hancock  winning  by  the  score  of  8 to  7, 

1 Major  M.F.  Harmon,  1st  Lieuts.  Barney  Giles,  A.Y.  Pitts  and  2nd  Lt.  C.W. 
Davies  flew  to  Ft.  Seward,  Cal,,  where-  they  participated  in  a large  cattle 
round-up . 

120th  Observation 'Sq.,  Colorado  National  Guard: 


Routine,  drills  and  instruction  went  on  during  the  past  month  in.  the  Squad- 
ron With  two  outstanding  fe’atures,  Capt.  Mayer,  of  Ft.  Sam  Houston,  inspected 
the  organization  on  March  31st,  On  the  nights  of  April  15th  and  16th,  night 
flying  was  inaugurated. 

One  Douglas,  the  Squadron’s  02-K,  was  fitted  with  night  flying  equipment, 
includihg  navigation*  lights,  landing  lights  and  parachute  flares.  With' Lieut. 
Beau  acting  as  instructor , transition  work  was  given  to  the  officers  of  the 
squadron.  The  ground  crew  operated  a beacon  mounted  on  a truck,  turning  the 
beam  into  the  wind,  giving  those. in  the  air  both  the  direction  of  the  wind  and 
a spot  for  landing. 

Pistol  practice  began  on  April  ,27th  continuing  through  May  until  the  entire 
personnel  has  fired  the  course, 

Training  in  spotting  Artillery  fire  has  gone  on  steadily  each  Sunday.  In 
order  to  afford  training  to  as  many  officers,  as  possible  three  ships  have  been 
flown  over  the  puff  targets  in  formation,  with  the  load  ship  operating  radio 
and' the  other  two  pin-pointing  the  bursts  and  writing  dorm  the  messages  they 
woU Id  - have  sent , 

Night  classes  in  radio  were  held  four  times  bach  week  to  make  certain  that 
every  officer  is  qualified  in  radio  before' the  next  annual  encampment  in  Juno, 

The'  schedule'  for  the  annual  encampment  is  an  ambitious  one.  Training  will 
include  gunnery,  bombing,  cooperation  with  the  Artillery  units  of  the  Colorado 
National  Guard,  photographic  missions,  night  flying  and  three  days’  maneuvers, 

Lieut,  Eddie  Brooks,  who  left  Colorado  last  year,  returned  to  the  squadron, 
Aubrey  Kief  was  promoted  from,  a second  to  a first  lieutenant. 

115th  Observation  Squadron,  Griffith  Park,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

Final  reports  on- the  record  pistof  firing  of  the  enlisted  strength  of  the 
115th  Obs.  Squadron  are  being  awaited  with  mu oh'  interest , This  work  was  just 
finished  after  a course  of  thorough  training  in  nomenclature,  aiming  and  firing 
by  the  .Armament  Officer  and  his  assistant^, Lieuts . Larsen  and  MAxey.  .It  is 
hoped  that  the  records  this  year  will  show  a very  great  improvement  over  previous 
ones.  The  officers  will  shortly  start  their  range  work. 

The  Squadron  welcomes  a new  off icer--  to  the  fold  - 2nd  Lieut,  Leonard  E, 
•Thomas’,  from  1st  Lieut.,  Air-Res*  Lieut,  Thomas  boasts  of  the  unusual  history 
of  being  a 3-timer  2nd  Lieutenant,  including  service'  in  the  Marine  Corps  Aviation 
during  the  war,  the  Air  Cbrps  Reserve  and  the  Calif National  Guard, 

The  Ad-jutant  General,  Brigadier -General  .R  ,E . Mittelstaedt , recently  dropped 
in  on  us,  via  air  from  Sacramento, piloted  by  Lieut.  Carroll,  They  reported 
that  the  northern  part  of  the  State,  had  been  mo-de  safe  for  Democracy  by  the  A.C. 
Provisional  Wing  operating  at  Mather  Field,  and  that  the  Yfing  planned  a demon- 
stration for  Los  Angela  s'*  on:  the  26th,  basing  at  Boeing’s  United  Airport  at  Bur- 
bank, General  Mittelstaedt,  after  spending  two  days  at  the  National  Convention 
of  the  Reserve  Officers  Association  at  Los  Angeles,  returned  to  Sacramento  by  air. 
It  is  reliably  reported  that  our  outfit  came  through  satisfactorily  in  the 

V-6012,A.C. 


169 


recent  State  inspection  by  Major-General  ‘Barrows 'and  Staff,  This  is  highly  en- 
couraging to  the  personnel  and  will  undoubtedly  result  in  even  higher  esprit  and 
efficiency  for  the  coming  year.  We,  who  necessarily  must  put  our  limited  time 
and  effort  on  the  more  technical  side  of  our  Aviation  duties,  find  it  difficult 
to  keep  up  on  the  other  military  phases,  such  as  infantry  drill,  tent  pitching, 
etc. 

On  May  11th,  the  40th  Division  Aviation,  Cal,  Nat’ I Guard,  underwent  the 
Annual  Federal  Inspection,  All  enlisted  personnel  was  on  duty  with  the  exception 
of  6 men  who  were  out  of  the  city.  The  inspecting  officer  was  Lieut,  James  B. 
Carroll,  A.C.,  D.0LL.B  who  appeared  to  understand  his  responsibility  thoroughly 
and  retained  the  respect  of  the  outfit  by  the  competent  manner  in  which  he  con- 
ducted the  inspection. 

The  roll  call  formation  proceeded  in  the  usual  manner,  followed  by  the  in-  b 
spection  formation.  Each  of  the  3 flights  was  then  turned  over  to  an  officer 
of  the  Squadron  who  had  not  previously  handled  troops  before  an  inspecting  offi- 
cer, These  flights' put  on  drill  formations*  for  5 minutes,  then  were  turned 
over  tg  3 other  officers  for  a similar  period,'' 

In  the  meantime  the  officers  inspected  the  pianos  which  were  drawn  up  in 
military  formation  in  the  line,  cleaned,  oiled  and  serviced  by  the  staff  of 
mechanics  who  stood  by  their  charges, 

A number  of  photos  were  taken  by  the  Photo  Section,  including  several  of 
an  0-2  with  bomb  racks  and  suspended  bombs. 

The  officers  were  then  given  tests  in  radio  reception  and  a short  written 
examination,  in  various  subjects  covering  the  Air' Corps,  Observation  and  the 
Division, 

The  various  sections,  including  Operations,  Photo,  Communications,  Armament, 
Supply,  Medical,  etc,,  were  then  looked  over  and  the' Aerial  Missions  took  off. 
These  missions  .consisted  of  reports  dropped  from  the  air  to  the  Divisional  H.Q. 
at"  Griffith  Park  Airport,  on  the.  situations  and  needs  of  various  front  line 
P.C.’s  on  a simulated  trench  lino  over  Mulholland  Hdwy. -We stern  Avc.-Cahucnga 
Pass,  Also  reports  on  another  front  near  So.n  Fernando,  with  special  reference 
to  the  Los  Angeles  City  water  reservoir  and  supply  near  there. 

Upon  completion  of  those  missions,  lunch  was  ’served  and  the  afternoon  taken 
up  with  Squadron  duties,  reports  of  sections.  Officers’  meeting  and  aerial  work, 

Chanuto*  Field, -Rant-pul,  111,,  May  22d  : 

Lieut,  George  W,  Goddard,  is  recovering  from  an  operation  for  appendicitis 
and  expe  cts  to  return  to  duty  following  the  three  weeks’  sick  leave  granted  him, 
Lieut,  Russell  Scott,  pilot,  and  Tech.Sgt,  Gilbert,  photographer,  recently 
flew  a mosaic,  of  the  City  of  Chicago,  This  mosaic  which  is  being  laid  by  the 
Department  of  Photography,  will  be  exhibited  at  the  Army  Relief  Show  to  be  hold 
at  Soldiers’  Field,  Chicago,  111,,  Juno  2lstto  29th, 

At  a recent  meeting  of  the  Chanute  Field  Pistol  Club,  Major  L.G,  Hoffornan  1 
was  unanimously  elected  Honorary  President, 

San  Antonio  Air_  Depot,  Duncan  Field,  Texas,  ■ May  26th: 

The  Depot  had  the  pleasure  of  a visit'  from  Capts.  H,’M.  McClelland,  E*.E, 

Adler  and  Lieut,  Guy  Kirksey  of  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  on 
route  in  throe  0-1’  s from  the  Air  Corps  Maneuvers  on  the  West  C.oast  to  Bolling 
Field,  They  stopped  over  May  2d  to  5th  for  miscellaneous  repairs  to  their  p lanes ■ 
Lieut,  Harvey  R,  Ogdon,  Air-Res,,  formerly  aide  to  Brigadier -General  F.P.  * 
Lahm,  Commander  of  the  Air  Corps  Training  Center,  who  resigned  from  the  Air  Corps 
Regular  Army  on  January  3d  last,  to  become  connected  with  the  Curtiss-¥r ight  • 
Corp.,  Long.  Island,  N,Y.,  was  a welcome  visitor  at  this  Depot;  renewing  old 
acquaintances,  for  several  days  beginning  May  7th,  while  in  this  vicinity  on 
bu  s ino  s s • 

Capt.  Warner  B.  Gates,  Lieuts.  C,E.  Branshaw  and  A.S.  Albro,  with  Mr.  R.A. 
Boehnlein,  mechanic,  of  this  Deport,  flew  cross-country  to  Eagle  Pass,  Texas, 
and  return,  on  May  7th, 

1st  Lieut,  John'  F,  White.ly,  of  Fort  Crockett,  Texas,  spent  several  hours 
visiting  at  this  Depot  on  May  8th,  while  on  a leave  of  absence, 

LlOut,  Lewis  S,  Webster  of  this  Depot,  just  completed  an  extensive  cross- 
country, ferrying  a PT-3A  from  this  Depot  to  the  Rockwell  'Air  Depot,  Rockwell 
Field,  Cal.if , . On  his  return  ho  ferried  a PW-9D  from  the  latter  Depot  to  Kelly 
Field,. 

'Lieut,  A,S,  Albro  of  this  Depot,  availed  himself  of  a ton  days’  leave  of 
absence,  Visiting  Eagle  Pass,  Texas, 


170  - 


V-6012,A.C 


On  May  226.  a group  of  Student  Officers  and.  Flying  Cadeta-crf  tho  Air  Corps 
Primary  Flying  School,  Brooks  Field,  in- charge  of  Lieut.  C ,J.  Crane,  made  a tour 
of  inspection  through  tho  Depot  in  connection  with  their  course  of  instruction, 

Mrs,  Wm  B,  Wright „ wife  of  Capt , Wm.B,  Wright,  Jr.,  recently  Adjutant  of 
Kelly  Field,  and  now  on  duty  with  the  Organized  Reserves  at  Kansas  City,  was  a 
guest  of  the  family  of  Co.pt,  Warner  B.  Gates  at  this  Depot  during  the  past  week, 
and  departed  on  May  23th  to  join  her  husband,  motoring  through  by  way  of 
Pensacola,  Fla. 

Lieut s . Carl  B,  Fry  and  William  Green, Jr,,  Air  Corps  Reserve,  of  Rockwell 
Field,  Calif®,  arrived  at  this  Depot  by  rail  on  May  23d  and  left  on  May  24th, 
ferrying  two  PT-3  airplanes  back  to  their  home  station. 

The  Engineering  Deportment  of  the  Depot  overhauled  and  repaired  the  follow- 
ing airplanes  and  engines  during  the  month  of  Aprils 

Airplanes ; Overhaul  - 6 A-3,  1 LB-5,  1 C-l-C,  2 DH-4M-2,  2 DH-4M-2P,  9 
DH-4M-2T,  1 02 -K,  1 P-1,  2 Pl-A,  1 Pl-F,  2 PT-3,  3 PT-3A,  1 SPT-5,  Total,  32, 
Miscellaneous  Repair-  1 A-3A,  1 C-7,,  2 DH-4M-2T,  1 02,  2 02 -C,  1 02 -D,  2 02 -H, 

1 02-M3,  1 FW-9A.,  1 PT-3A  j Total,  13 « Assembly  Job  - 6 PT-3A , 

Engines*.  Major  Overhaul  - 13  Curtiss  D-12,'  25  Wright  J-5j  total,  38. 

Minor  Overhaul  - 60  Liberty,  1 Curtiss  D-12,  2 Wright  J-5 : Total,  63. 

58th  Division  Aviation,  Indiana  National  Guard,  Indianapolis, Ind , ,May  19th : 

With  the  coming  of  the  gentle  breezes  of  Spring,  the  Pilots  and  Observers 
of  the  Squadron  develop  a ’’yen''  to  go  places  arid  do  things  and  cross-country 
flying  became  very  popular.  Almost  every  Sunday  a training  mission  is  dispatch- 
ed on  a cross-country  flight, 

Lieut s,  P .A.Zartman  and  D.D.Stowell,  left  Stout  Field  for  Ft. Sill,  Okla . , 
where  they  spent  five  days  studying  Artillery  Adjustment  methods  by  airplane 
and  participated  in  the  Artillery  Maneuvers  held  there. 

The  '’Gods1'  have  smiled  and  five  of  our  2nd  Lieutenants  are  now  sporting 
new  silver  bars.  Officers  recently  promoted  to  1st • Lieutenant  are  2nd  Lieuts. 
P.A.  Zartmen,  H.II*  Maxwell,  K or  man  Metzger,  Wilbur  Morgan  and  D.D.  Stowe  11. 

The  113th  Photo  Section  under  the  command  of  Lieut,  Maxwell,  just  completed 
a mosaic  of  Camp  Henry  Knox,  Ky.  This  map  was.  presented  to  tho  ,38th  Division 
for  use  in  tactical  problems, 

Luke  Jlel(k.T,H,,.Ja^OJhs 

Lieut.  John  A.  Laird  who  was  on  duty  as  an  observer  during  the  Air  Corps 
maneuvers  in  California,  returned  on  the  ” Cambrai" . 

By  scoring  a total  of  94  points,  Luke  Field,  as  predicted,  won  the  1930 
Honolulu  Sector  Track  and  Field  Meet  held  at  the  Kamehameha  Field  on  April 
26th.  The  Flyers  took  7 of  the  16  first  places,  13  second,  6 third  and  3 fourth. 

The  65th  Service  Squadron  won  all  the  games  they  were  scheduled  to  play 
during  the.  Squadron  Baseball  Series,  giving  them  first  place  in  the  league 
standing.  The  4th  followed  closely  behind,  losing  only  two  -games.  The  23d, 

Staff  and  72 d followed  in  order  mentioned.  From  these  teams  the  men  will  be 
chosen  for  the  Post  Team,  Prospects  are  very  good  this  year -for  putting  a 
winning  squad  out  for  the  Sector  Davy  Season  which  began  May  14th. 

Mitchel  Field.  Long  Island.  H.Y. . May  12th 2 

The  gunnery  practice  for  the  Fifth  Squadron  came  to  a successful  close  the 
first  of  May,  despite  the  fact  that  all  the  pioneering  work  of  pitching  camp 
had  to  be  completed  before  work  could  begin,  and  that  nasty  weather  aided 
materially  to  this  progress. . 

The  Squadron  left  here  with  the  buoy- shoo  ting  charges  and  after  it  wan 
there  a while  and  had  peppered  at  a few  targets  we  felt  completely  justified 
in  denying  any  charges  of  sinking  buoys,  because  to  sink  a buoy  you’ve  got  to 
hit  it,  and  if  the  great  blank  spaces  on  the  targets  were  any  criteria  of  pre- 
vious prowess  we  are  unquestionably  exonerated. 

During  the  greater  part  of  last  week  the  Island  was  cluttered  with  Squad- 
rom  upon  Squadron  of  Davy  ships  doing  their  best  to  give  Gotham  a thrill  and  . 
to  lend  a little  color  to  the  Hew  York  Air  Show.  Last  Friday  being  Army-Navy 
Day  in  conjunction  with  the  Show,  we  were  called  on  for  a formation.  An  order 
called  for  forty  ships,  but  since  only  eighteen  answered  foil  call  we  had  to. 
content  ourselves  Y/ith  two  nine-ship  formations.  Being  an  eye  witness  from  the 
ground,  I can  safely  say  that  while  quantity  wasn’t  present,  the  quality  was 

- 171  - ‘ 7-6012, A. C. 


was  all  that  one  could  ask  for. 

The  Hew  York  Sun, recorded  the  flight. as  follows! 

"The  third  spectacle  of  the  day  occurred -when  fifteen  planes  from  the 
Army’s  crack  squadrons  zipped  across  the  "blue,  dipped  and  zoomed  their  wings, 
and  fled. on. . . " 

Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Cal if..  May  6th : 

General  Edward  L.  King,  G.S.C.,  Assistant  Chief  of  Staff,  G-3,  Washington, 
D.C., spent  two  days  at  Rockwell  Field,  recently  as  guest  of  the  Commanding  Of- 
ficer, Major  Sneed.  During  his  stay,  he.  visited  Fort  Rosecrans  and  inspected 
all  the  activities  at  Rockwell  Field.  Gen.  King  was  flown  to  Long  Beach  by 
Major  Sneed  and  from  Long  Eeach  to  Monterey  by  Lieut.  Hary  from  March  Field. 

- Major-General  John  L.  Hines,  Corps  Area  Commander , Ninth  Corps  Area,  ac- 
companied by  General  Van  Deman,  retired,  and  Colonel  Singleton,  paid  a visit 
to  Rockwell  Field,  April  9th. 

General  James  E.  Fechet,  The  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  in  a "Fleester"  plane, 
accompanied  by'Capt.  Eaker,  visited  Rockwell  Field,  again  on  April  23d,  remain- 
ing here  until  April  25th. 

Rockwell  Field,  Coronado..  Calif.,  May  29  th:  ... 

Major  A.L.  Sneed,  Commanding  Officer  of  Rockwell  Field,  attended  a dinner 
at  the  San  Diego  Athletic  Club,  May  24th,  in  celebration  of  Empire  Day  by  the 
British  Consulate  of  this  city.  Major  Sneed  responded  to  the  toast,  "The 
United  States  Army  Air  Forces'* , which  was  very  well  received. 

Major  Henry  P.  Carter,  M.C.,  Corps  Area  Inspector,  made  the  annual  Sani- 
tary Inspection  of  Rockwell  Field,  on  May  9th  and  10th. 

Capt.  George  E.  Hartman,  Q.M.C.,  arrived  at  Rockwell  Field,  May  28th,  for 
purpose  of  making  mechanical  inspection  of  Government  owned  motor  vehicles. 

Capt.  William  E.  Lynd,  Inspection  Division,  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air 
Corps,  accompanied,  by.  Mr. Sgt,  C.E.  Peterson,  arrived  at  Rockwell  Air  Depot,  May 
22d,  for  purpose  of  making  inspection  of  the  Visual  Inspection  system  installed 
at  this  post. 

Col.  and  Mrs.  Harry  Graham  were  recent  visitors  at  Rockwell  Field.  Col. 
Graham  was  former  commanding  officer  of  the  Rockwell  Air  Depot. 

Lieuts.  Jack  Greer  and  E.M.  Robbins  of  the  Rockwell  Air  Depot  left  via 
train  Saturday,  May  31st,  for  the  San  Antonio  Depot,  for  purpose  of  ferrying 
two  PT-3  A airplanes  to  this  depot. 

The  long  months  of  hard  practice  in  squash  has  not  been  in  vain,  it  was 
recently  discovered,  when  the  Rockwell  Field  Squash  Team  journeyed  to  San  Fran- 
cisco to  play  the  .Olympia  Club  and  the  University  Club.  From  the  standpoint 
of  total  score,  the  result  was  not  flattering.  The  game  is  somewhat  new  to  the 
Rockwell  Field  officers  and  they  were  pitted  against  experts  with  years,  exper- 
ience. But  the  big  feature  of  the.  trip  was  the  discovery  that  Lieut.  J.E. 
Mallory  and  Lieut.  I. A.  Woodring  rank  among  the  best  players  on  the  Pacific 
Coast.  Both  won  their  matches  from  high  rankers  in  the  Squash  world. 

Self  ridge  Field,  Mt.  Clemen s , Mich. : 

After  a great  deal  of  rain  a.nd  cold  in  April,  the  First  Pursuit  Group  is 
now  enjoying  sunshine  and  light- winds,  Ken  are  practicing  baseball  and  every- 
body is  getting  in  as  much  flying  time  as  they  possibly  can,  especially  the 
pilots  of  the  15th  Observation  Squadron  who , after  many  months  of  herding  around 
the  old  02' s,  are  flying  the  new  Thomas  Morse  0-19 's  which  are  being  received 
from  day  to  day. 

All  of  the  new  type  P-12-B  airplanes  which  are  now  at  this  station  have 
been  assigned  to  the  94th  Squadron,  and  the  P~l's  have  b6en  distributed  between 
the  17th  and  27th  Squadrons. 

Major  Brower,  who  reported  to  this  station  May  5th,  and  who  assumes  com- 
mand of  the  1st  Pursuit  Group  upon  the  departure  of  Major  Royce  for  his- new 
duties  in  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of  Staff  in  Washington,  led  the  flight  of-'the 
First  Pursuit  Group  to  Aberdeen,  Md„,  for  participation  in  the  Joint " Anti-air- 
craft Art illery-Air  Corps  Demonstrations  and  Exercises  held  there  during  the 
period  May  12th  to  17th,  inclusive,. 

Athletic  activities  of  the  Group  for  the  past  month,  except  for  indoor 


172  - 


V-6012 , AoC 


baseball  practice,  were  confined  to  the  Post  Bowling  Tournament  which  was  won  by 
the  15th  Observation  Squadron  with  a percentage  of  875,  having  won  14  and  lost 
2 games. 

Third  Attack  Group.  Ft .Crockett « Texas.  May  1st: 

2nd  Limit,  and  Mrs.  John  A.  Ssmford  are  receiving  congratulations  on  the 
birth  of  a.  son,  John  A., Jr.,  who  was  born  at  the  base  hospital,  Ft. Sam  Houston, 
on  April  18th. 

2nd  Lieut.  G.E.  Gimmler,  recently  assigned  for  duty  with  the  Group,  was 
assigned  to  the  8th  Attack  Squadron. 

2nd  Lieut,  and  Mrs.  Ford  L.  Fair  arrived  here  by  motor  on  April  23d.  The 
Lieutenant  was  recently  ordered  to  duty  at  this  station  and  he  was  assigned  to 
the  60th  Service  Squadron. 

In  the  Inter-Squadron  Baseball  League  at  Ft. Crockett,  the  90th  Attack  Squad- 
ron and  60th  Service  Squadron  are  tied  for  first  place,  each  winning  the  three 
games  they  have  played  thus  far.  The  8th  and  13th  Attack  Squadrons  are  tied 
for  the  cellar  position,  each  having  lost  the  three  games  they  have  played.  The 
league  temporarily  suspended  play  during  the  absence  of  the  troops  on  maneuvers. 


- 173  - 


V-6012.A.C. 


VOL.  XIV 


JULY  2,  1930 


NO.  8 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 
0O0 


Page 

Inch  By  Inch,  or  Patience  is  a Virtue 174 

Pursuiters  Visit  the  Big  City. • • . . . . . . • 175 

New  Officers  for  the  Air  Corps  • . . . . . • . . .........  .175  - 176 

Three-Y/ord  Sign  on  Plane  Averts  Accident .......  176 

Back  for  a Year.  ...  ................  .177  - 178 

No  Rest  for  the  Pursuiters  178 

The  Flying  Kittens  ...................  179 

Commercial  Pilots  to  Undergo  Army  Flying  Training.  .........  179 

First  Accident  in  Nine  Years .179  - 180 

Cubans  Praise  Army  Flyers.  .....................  180 

Farewell  Dinner  in  Honor  of  General  Gillmore  ............  130 

Eagle  Eye  Paul  . 181 

New  Officers  and  New  Planes  Arrive  at  Wheeler  Field,  T.H..  .....  .181  — 182 

Brothers  Aplenty  at  Wheeler  Field.  .................  182 

Mitchel  Field  Officers  Enjoy  Deep  Sea  Fishing.  ...........  182 

Mitchel  Field  Welcomes  Member  of  the  Byrd  Expedition  ........  182 

Corps  Area  Commander  Makes  Inspection  of  Mitchel  Field  .......  183 

Army  Airmen  Rescued  After  Landing  in  Open  Sea.  ......  183  - 185 

May  Prove  Strenuous  Month  at  Mitchel  Field  .............  185 

Caterpillars  Still  Jumping  .......  ...  .186  - 187 

A Novel  Night  Formation  Flight  Over  New  York  ............  187 

Flying  Ratings  in  the  Air  Corps.  187 

War  Department  Orders  Affecting  Air  Corps  Officers  ........  .183  - 189 

March  Field  Students  Graduate  to  A.F.S..  . . , . 189 

Promotion  of  Enlisted  Men  of  the  Air  Corps  .............  139 

Retirement  of  Air  Corps  Enlisted  Men  ...........  189 

Advanced  Flying  School  Graduates  95  Students  .....  . .190  — 191 

New  Equipment  for  the  Air  Corps.  ..................  191 

Flying  Instructors  School  in  Session  at  Kelly  Field.  . . . 192 

A New  Hole-In-One  Club'  . ................  192 

New  Airport  Dedicated  at  Los  Angeles,  Calif.  .....  192 

Reserve  Officers  Lose  Lives  in  Airplane  Crash.  ..........  .192  - 193 

Congratulations  for  Trans -Atlantic  Flyers 193 

Retirement  of  Master  Sergeant  Ward  ............  193 

Notes  from  Air  Corps  Fields 194 


V-6058,A.C 


AIR 


NEWS 


NO.  8 


VOL.  XIV 


Information  Division 
- Air  Corps 


CORPS 

' July  '2, ; lb‘30.o 


Munitions  Building 
Washington,  D.C. 


Hie  chief  purpose  of  this  publication  is  to  distribute  information  on  aero- 
nautics to  the  flying  personnel  in  the. Regular  Army,  Reserve  Corps,  National 
Guard,  ‘and  others  connected  with  aviation.' 

,o0o— . 


INCH.  BY  INCH,  OR  PATIENCE  IS  A VIRTUE 


The 'title  of  this  might  also  be.  "My  Impressions  of  Captive  Ballooning,"  It 
relates -the  adventures  of  Lieut.  Julian  B.  Haddon , Air  Corps,  during  a flight 
from  Rockwell  Field,  San  Diego,  Calif.,  to  the  Middletown  Air  Depot,  Middletown, 
Pa.  Lieut.  Haddon  is  at  the  present  time  on  duty  in  the  Materiel  Liaison  Sec- 
tion, Office.,  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  < • Incidentally , he  was  the  chief 
figure  in  a thrilling  adventure  over  a year  ago  when  he  was  initiated  as  a mem- 
ber of  the  Caterpillar  Club.  This  initiation  was  quite  a strenuous  one,  for 
in  an  altitude  test  flight,  after  ascending  to  34,000  feet  and  encountering  a 
temperature  of  50  '.'degrees  below  zero,  he  became  unconscious  due  to  the  lack 
of  oxygen  and  did  not  regain  his  senses  until  the  aircraft  had  dived  down  to 
about  9,000  feet.  It  is  bad  enough  to  fall  25,000  feet,  but  to  wake  up  and 
find  your  airplane  in  flame s is  a little  too’ much. 

After  making  every  effort  to  extinguish  the  flames,  but  without  success, 
and  losing  6,000  feet  more  altitude,  Lieut.  Haddon  finally  abandoned  his  plane 
at  3,000  feet  and  landed  with  quite  a hard  jolt  on  the  frozen  ground. 

But  to  continue  with  what  we  started  out  to  say.  For  all  of  his  years  in 
the  Army,  there  is  one  thing  that  Haddon  hadn’t  learned,  and.  that  is  to  "never 
volunteer."  If  a certain  proposition  is  a good  thing,  there  will  be  a long 
waiting  line,  and  that  is  what  you  should  "bust"  into.  However,  when  a call 
went  out  for  a pilot  to  ferry  a plane  across  the  country,  Haddon  volunteered. 
Then  he  found  out  that  it  was  a PT,  a primary  training  type  of. plane,  cruising 
speed  about  75  miles  or  so  -per  hour.  It  was  too  late  then  to  back  out,  so  our 
-Hero  - but  let  him  tell  his  own.  story. 

"Tes,  I went  into  this  with. my.  eyes  open,"  sez  he.  "It  was  no  extra-duty 
punishment  assignment.  1 1 flew  out  . in  the  rear  seat  where  the  sun  could  get  at 
me  and  blister  my  lips.  : I landed  at  Yuma  and  Tucson,  Arizona  (that  leg  was 
a long  one),  Lords burg,  El  Paso  and  Midland;  I expect  a bill  from  the  owners 
of  the  pipe  line  running,  from  El  Paso  to  Midland.  After  I left  Wink,  I didn’t 
know  if  I had  enough-  gas  to  take  me  into  Midland.  A fine  lot-  of  country  to 
come  down  in  without  gas..  I -started  sweating,  and  when  I say  that  I don’t  mean 
perspiration  but  honest  to  goodness  sweat.  I later  learned  it  had  fallen; down" 
along  the  pipe  line  -and  .rusted  the  piping.  Anyway,  that  showed  how  closely  . I . 
followed  the  pipe  line-,  which  is  the  direct  route' , 

I got  into  Midland  and  they  poured, forty  gallons  into  the  42-gallon  tanks  ., 
of  the  PT,  that  is,  -two  tanks  of  21  gallons  each.  Then  I made. Abilene,  Dallas,  . 
Oklahoma  City,  Muskogee  and  Springfield.  Up  to  that  time  I had  had  no  trouble . 
in  cranking  the  motor,  but  at  Springfield  I had  to  wait  for  an  hour  before  they 
could  find  me  an  experienced  mechanic  to  crank  her'  up.  Most  of  the  mechanics 
at-  commercial  fields  dislike  to  crank  up  motors-  through  the  props , as  most 
modern -commercial  jobs  have  starters.  Then  I.  made  Scott  Field,  Indianapolis, 
Dayton  and  Uniontown.,  - v 

.‘  Up  to  that  time  I had  been  averaging  78-80  miles  an  hour,  with  a slight 
tail  wind  helping  me  along.  When  I left  Uniontown  I had  a 73-mile  wind  right,,  . 
into  Middle towp,  this  wind  being  encountered  at  an  altitude  of  6,500  feet. 

Yes,  - the  '-PT;,  with  my  baggage,  actually  did.  get  that  high.  You  see,  I was 
quite'  experienced  in  PT’s  by  this  time. 

Finally  I 'made  Middletown  after  nine,  days  en  route,  having  been  held  up 
several  times  by  bad  weather.  Now  that  I managed  to  last  it  out  in  a PT,  I am 
thinking  of  making  it  in  a bicycle.  Anyway,  it's  more  fun  than  sitting  on  a 
flag  pole."  : 

oQo 

Nine  airplanes  from  Brooks  Field  and  eleven  from  KOlly  Field  were  flown  t.o 
Abilene,  Texas,  recently  to  participate  in  the  dedication,  of  a new-ailpiort 
there.  Major  C.L.  Tinker  headed  the  Kelly  Field  flyers  and  Captain  C.L; 

Chennault  was  in  charge  of  the  Brooks  Field  flight. 

-174- 


V-6058 , A.C. 


PURSUITERS  VISIT  THE,. BIG  CITY  T VI'.  . 

By  the  News'  letter  Corres'-poiident  h ;'V 

With  the  arrival  of  the  new  p-lS^s,  the  94th  Par-suit  -&gaa'd-ron',  First  Pur- 
suit Group » Self ridge  Field,  Mich.,  has  Been  organized  into  three  permanent 
flights  with  permanent  flight  and  element  leaders.  Each  flight' has  'it's  distinct- 
ive markings  to  aid  in  performing,  and  this  scheme  has  worked  out  very  satisfac- 
torily. Each  flight  has  its  own  distinctive  color,  with  a double  bar  on  the 
upper  wing  for  flight  leader  and  a single  bar  for  element  leader.  Daring  the 
recent  maneuvers  with  the  Navy  at  Groton,  Conn.,  the.  Squadron  took  off  singly 
and  was  in  formation  above  the  bombers  within  four  minutes. 

Upon  the  completion  of  the  maneuvers  on  the  East  Coast,  1st  Lieut.  James  E. 
Duke,  Jr.,  was  ordered  to  deliver  one  of  the  Squadron’s  P-129 s to  Bolling  Field. 
He  left  the  Squadron  at  Groton,  being  scheduled  to  return  to  Selfridge  by  rail. 
The  shortage  in  ships  thus  caused  will  be  'filled  by  a P-12  ferried  from  Rockwell 
Field  by  Lieut.  Morgan. 

On  the  way  to  Connecticut,  the  Squadron  spent  the  night  at  Mitchel  Field, 
and  the  bright  lights  o.f  New  York  lured  most  of  the  officers.  Despite  the  warn- 
ings of  those  who  knew  the  city,  and  the  ways  of  the  city  slicker,  Lieut.  Crabb 
was  no  match  for  the  wits  of  a New  York  taxi  driver  and  cheerfully  donated  a 
dollar  and  thirty-five  cents  for  a thirty-five  cent  bill.  Lieut.  Duke,  by  main 
strength  only  it  seems,  prevented  Lieut.  Bolen  from  going  to  Coney  Island  and, 
after  much  persuation,  convinced  him  that  a small  cigarette  display  machine  in 
a show  window  did  not  make  all  the  cigarettes  for  the  United  States* 

The  94th  arrived  at  Trumbull  Field  on  Saturday,  May  24th,  to  cooperate  with 
the  96th  Bombing  Squadron  of  Langley  'Field  and  the  5th  Observation  Squadron  from 
Mitchel  Field  against  the  Navy  in  their  attempted  campaign  against  the  coast  de- 
fenses and  the  Submarine  Base  at  New  London  and  Long  Island  Sound.  Nothing  of 
note  happened  the  first  day  exoept  the  Bombers  landing  down  wind,  and  the  war 
was  over  until  Monday. 

On  Monday  the  Bombers  were  ordered  out  to  bomb  the  fleet  which  was  maneuver- 
ing off  Fisher's  Island,  and  the  94th  went  up  for  protection  against  any  enemy 
aircraft.  On  Tuesday  the  Navy  carried  out  a theoretical  landing  program  on  the 
coast  defenses,  with  the  ships  from  Trumbull  Field  attacking  from  the  air. 

Wednesday  was  the  big  day  of  the  maneuvers , with  the  Navy  airplanes  coming 
in  in  force  to  bomb  the  Submarine  Base  and  Trumbull  Field.  The  94th  met  them 
out  over  Fisher’s  Island,  theoretically  destroyed  them,  and  the  Squadron  had 
just  reformed  in  the  event  of  another  attack  when  the  entire  Navy  air  force 
arrived.  Again  the  Pursuit  attacked,  and  the  battle  gradually  broke  up  into  a 
sky  full  of  dog. fights  which  were  only  broken  up  by  running  low  on  gas.  The 
Navy  ships  were  considered  out  of  the  combat  by  that  time,  in  swite  of  the  fact 
that  the  Pursuit  ships  dodged  radio  aerials  during  the  whole  melee. 

On  Thursday  the  war  was  over,  and  the  different  squadrons  took  off  for 
their  home  stations.  The  94th  landed'  to  refuel  at  Mitchel  Field  before  the 
flight  to  Buffalo,  and  started  out.  After  reaching  the  conclusion  that  the 
whole  country  east  of  the  Mississippi  was  covered  \7ith  rain  storms  and  that  the 
visibility  could  only  be  compared  to  thick  pea  soup,  Lieut.  Johnson  turned  back 
to  Mitchel  Field  and  the  94th  arrived  at'  Self ridge  Field  late  the  next  day. 

At  Buffalo,  Lieut.  Henry’s  ship  tried  to  taxi  into  the  commercial  ships  without 
a pilot,  but  Lieut.  A. T.  Johnson,  with  a show  of  sprinting  ability  that  surprised 
everyone,  cut  the  throttle  and,  with  Lieut.  Bolen  acting  as  an  efficient  anchor, 
stopped  the  runaway  with  wienty  of  space  to  spare. 

Just  one  thing  more.  Lieut.  Bolen  was  credited  with  the  lowest  and  safest 
parachute  jump  on  record  when  he  pulled  his  rip  cord  in  getting  out  of  the  ship 
after  a flight  from  a height  of  six  inches.  No  casualties  to  pilot,  ship  or 
parachute. 

oOo— 

NEW  OFFI  CERS  FOR  THE  AIR  CORPS 

A total  of  32  new  officers  were  recently  appointed  2nd  Lieutenants  in  the 
Air  Corps,  Regular  Army,  all  of  them  with  rank  from  May  8,  1930.  According  to 
Special  Orders  No.  136,  War  Department,  June  12,  1930,  these  officers  are 
assigned  to  stations,  as  follows; 

To  France  Field,  panama  Canal  Zone;  Roy  Dale  Butler 

Berkeley  Everett  Nelson 
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V-6058,  A.C. 


To  Fort  Crockett Galveston,  Texas:  Frederick  Earl  Calhoun 

Lawrence  C.  tfestloy 

To  Port  Riley,  Kansas:  -------  Clarence  Edward  Enyart 

Dyke  Francis  Meyer 

To  Port  Sill,  Oklahoma:  ------  Douglas.  Thompson  Mitchell 

To  the  Hawaiian  Department:  - - - - Maurice  Milton  'dorks 

Ivan  Morris  Aiterhury 
James  MoKinale  Thompson 
John  Robert  Davies 
Edwin'  William  Rawlings 
Theodore  Bernard  Anderson 
Oliver  Stanton  Richer 
Willi  am  Johnson  Scott 
Archibald  Johnston  Hanna 
Richard  August  Gras senior f 

To  Maxwell  Field,  Montgomery,  Ale., : Anthony  Quintus  Miistoe 
To  Mitchel  Field,  L.I.,  Hew  York:  - Robert  Lyle  Brookings 

Arthur  Francis  Me  rewether 
Hugh  Francis  McCaffery 

To  Langley  Field,  -Virginia:  - - - - John  Hieht  Ives' 

To  Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif.:  Carl  Harold  Murray 

Gerald  KoTfle- 
Tom  William  Scott 

To  Self  ridge  Field,  Mt  . Clemens,  Mich:  Jarred  Vincent  Gra.bb 

Robert  Kinaaird  Gicvannoli 
Julius  .Kahn  Jj&cey 
George  Frank- McGuire 
Minthcrne . Wooisey  Reed 
Morley  Frederick  Siaght 
Carl  Ralph  FeldmniiU 

With  the  exception  of  Lieut s.  Brookings,  Slagut  and  GiovannoLi,  all  of  the 
above  named  officers  graduated  from  the  Advanced  Flying  School,  Kelly  Field, 
Texas,  on  February  15',  1930k  Lieut.  Giovannoli  graduated  from  the  Advanced 
Flying  School  on. October  20,  1S28,  Lieut » Siaght  on  February  18,  1929,  and 
Lieut.  Brookings,  a graduate  of  the  .United  States  Military  Academy,  in  1925. 

The  last-named  officer  was  a 1st  Lieutenant  in  the  Air  Corps  when  he  resigned  on 
March  30,  1929. 

— — oOo 

THREE-WORD  SIGH  OH  PLAHE  AVERTS  ACCIDENT 

Mitchel  Field,  H.Y.,  boasts  of  a rapid-fire  sign  painter  whose  proficiency 
in  this  direction-was  the  means  of  preventing  what  might  possibly  have  turned  out 
to  be  a serious  accident. 

Shortly  before  noon  on  May  26th,  a commercial  pilot  left  Trumbull  Field,  Hew 
London,  Conn.,  the  base  of  the  recent  maneuvers,  and  just  before  he  cleared  the 
ground  the  right  wheel  of  the  landing  gear  of  his  plane  gave  way.  Unmindful  of 
his  predicament,  the  pilot  continued  blissfully  on  his  way.  His  danger  was  evi- 
dent to  everyone  on  the  ground,  but  not  a single  ship  was  down  which  could. over- 
take him  and  warn  him  of  the  trouble . 

Before  the  ship  had  gone  more  than  a few  miles,  Lieut.  S.E.  Anderson,  of.  the 
5th  Squadron,  landed  and  was  immediately  sent  out  after  him.  In  the  interim  of 
several  seconds  between  the  take-off  of  Lieut.  Anderson  and  the  landing  of  Lieut. 
Donald  (Bobo)  Baxter  in  another  0-1E,  Limit.  "Pete"  Peterson,  of  border  fame  and 
otherwise  known  as  "Zoom,"  conceived  the  idea  of  painting  a sign  on  the  side  of 
the  next  ship  that  came  down.  Ho  sooner  had  Baxter  taxied  up  to  the  line  than 
"Pete"  was  slapping  huge  letters  on  the  side  of  the  ship  - LANDING  GEAR  BROKEN  - 
following  which  Baxter  was  on  his  way  again.  The  crippled  Aeromarine  plane  was 
overtaken  and,  although  the  wet  sign  had  smeared  until  it  was  barely  distinguish- 
able, the  pilot  divined  its  meaning,  saw  the  broken  wheel  and  waved  understand- 
ingly. 

The  same  afternoon  a report  came  in  from  Providence,  R.I.,  to  the  effect- 
that  the  ship  had  landed  without  harm  to  either  pilot  or  passenger  and  that  they 
had  forwarded  a.  heartfelt  vote  of  thanks  for  the  quick  thinking  - and  "Pete" 
isn’t  a Pursuit er  - and  assistance  which  averted  what  might  have  been  a serious 
crack-up. 


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V-6058 , A. C. 


RACK  FOR  A YEAR 
By  Wm.  J.  Hahnel 


It  was  just  a year  ago  that  I received,  my  orders  for  active  duty.  I was 
living  that  time  in  Chicago,  working  as  an  engineer  in  a’  s-pecialized  line  of  com- 
munications development.  Ivy  income  was  somewhat  more  than  the  Army  pay  and  allow- 
ances. Furthermore,  there  were  certain  expenses  to  he  incurred  incident  to  moving 
to  my  new  station.  I felt,  however,  that  the  year  hack  with  the  Air  Corps  was 
well  worth  it. 

I had  been  one  of  those  hopefuls  who  had  gone  into  aviation  after  my  dis- 
charge from  the  Army  in  1919.  I had  not  exactly  "busted”  into  commercial  aviation, 
so  commercial  aviation  had  not  "busted"  me.  But  it  was  tough  diggings  for 
several  years,  and  the  uncertain  income  convinced  me  that  electrical  engineering 
was  a better  and  surer  proposition.  That  was  in  1922, 

With  the  boom  in  aviation  in  1927,  I found  myself  slipping.  I was  already 
established  with  a large  company.  I had  been  a flyer,  but  here  were  embryo  flyers 
who  were  getting  ahead  of  me  in  the  world  of  commercial  aeronautics.  I held  the 
rank  of  Captain  in  the  Reserve  Corps  and  the  rating  of  Junior  Airplane  Pilot.  I 
felt  that  if  I could  only  get  in  a hundred  hours  on  service  type  planes  I might  be 
eligible  for  the  higher  rating  of  Air-plane  Pilot . It  was  not  that  I intended  to 
enter  commercial  aviation  immediately,  but  I just  did  not  like  the  idea  of 
slipping  backward.  The  little  inactive  status  flying  which  I performed  now  and 
then  was  not  enough.  What  I needed  was  a year’s  dose.  Then,  with  the  much  covet-  ; 
ed  A.P.  rating  - and  it  is  a coveted  rating  among  us  Reserves  - I felt  I could 
look  around  and  see  what  was  what  in  the  commercial  flying  game. 

Finally,  early  in  1929,  I applied  for  a year’s  active  duty.  The  firm  I was 
with  allowed  a sort  of  Sabbatical  leave . of  one  year  without  pay,  so  I was  all 
fixed  up  on  that  score.  I had  to  relinquish  my  Captaincy  in  the  Reserves  and 
come  in  as  a second  lieutenant,  but  this  was  agreeable  to  me.  It  was  just  a year 
from  this  writing  that  my  orders  arrived  and  I moved  with  my  family  to  the  station 
to  which  I was  assigned.  Within  a few  weeks  after  my  arrival  there,  quarters 
were  available.  Although  I had  no  particular  "drag,"  the  quarters  were  among  the 
best  at  the  field. 

So  much  for  my  entrance  into  the  service  and  the  reasons  therefor.  I have 
heard  comments  from  many  sources  regarding  Reserves  and  their  extended  active 
duty  tours.  My  own  particular  reasons  were  as  stated  above.  I could  live  on  the 
salary,  meager  though  it  was.  Most  important,  however,  I could  pick  up  on  my 
flying  and  be  in  a position  to  take  something  good  in  commercial  aviation  if  it 
came  my  way.  My  year  in  the  Army  would  not  hurt  me  in  my  former  position;  in 
fact,  it  would  help  me.  later  I found  this  to  be  the  case,  due  to  the  many  con- 
tacts I made  during  my  year  with  the  Air  Corps.  Incidentally,  I suppose  that 
after  a year's  active  duty  I was  better  qualified  as  a Reserve  officer.  I do 
know  that,  humble  as  my  duties  were,  I learned  a lot  about  the  service  which  will 
stand  me  in  good  stead  should  I ever  be  called  to  active  duty  in  an  emergency. 

I soon  found  things  a bit  different  in  this  peace-time  Army.  My  impressions 
jibed  with  those  of  Elliott  White  Springs  in  a story  he  wrote  to  illustrate  that 
point.  During  the  War  the  Air  Service  was  abundantly  populated  with  He-Men. 

At  least,  I suppose  they  were  that,  as  they  talked  in  a loud  voice  cf Discipline:, 
looked  askance  at  ordinary  courtesy  while  braying  about  the  military  brand  of  it, 
had  no  consideration- for  subordinates  and  less  for  real  efficiency  and  smooth 
teamwork.  They  were  individualists  supreme.  In  common  with  most  R.M.A's,  my 
experiences  had  been  sad  ones. 

Had  I not  heard  that  things  were  vastly  different  now,  I would  never  have 
applied  for  active  duty,  but  different  they  were..  The: word  "discipline"  was  sel- 
dom  mentioned,  but  we  had  plenty  of  it  in  my  Group  and  also  in  my  squadron. 

Everyone  had  a job  and  duties  were  performed  reasonably  well,  otherwise  one  suf- 
fered the  consequences.  As  a general  proposition,  however,  they  "put  out." 

I soon  found  out  that  there  were  many  things  to  do  besides  fly,  also  that 
this  present  system  of  having  practically  all  its  officers  flyers  makes  for  effi- 
ciency in  the  Air  Corps  and  that  there  is  less  "standing  around"  during  the  time 
there  is  no  flying  activity.  All  officers  speak  a common  language.  There  is  a 
minimum  of  explaining  to  do  to  some  non- flying  officer  regarding  the  fundamentals 
of  flying  in  order  to  stress  the  need  of  having  this  or  that  requisition  filled. 

With  respect  to  the  enlisted  men,  I found  that  those  regularly  assigned  to 
mechanical  duties  were  exactly  like  those  mechanics  in  civil  life  with  whom  I had 
had  considerable  experience  - aggressive,  ambitious,  clear-minded  chaps  who  were 

-177-  V-6058 , A.C. 


not  misled  by  a superiors  uniform  or  his  military  status  in  their  judgment  of 
his  ability.  Two  impress  foils  I had  previously  had  were  quickly  dispelled.  One 
was  that  soldiers  are -always  growling  and  grumbling  for  no  apparent  reason. 
Perhaps  it  was  the  quality  of  our  ness  that  reduced  such  growling  to  a minimum 
in  our  outfit.  JEhe  other  impression  which  was  quickly  dispelled  was  that  Mr 
Corps  enlisted  men  are  primarily  mechanics,  cannot  drill  and  have  not  the  mili- 
tary hearing  found  in  other  branches  of  the  service.  I had  the  opportunity  of 
visiting  several  nearby  posts  during  my  year's  tour  and  a number  of  distant  ones 
on  cross-country  trips.  ITowhere  did  I find  more  soldierly  bearing  or  better 
conducted  drills  or  guard  mounts  than  we  had  right  at  my  home  station. 

As  for  my  stay  in  the  Air  Corps,  I find  that  it  has  been  worth  while.  I 
soon  qualified  for  the  much  coveted  A.P.  rating.  As  a low  ranking  lieutenant,  I 
was  able  to  drop  in  various  shops  about  the.  pest  and  observe  the  technical  work- 
ings of  many  places  without  being  thought  guilty  of  "snooping, !i  as  would  have 
been  the  case  had  1 come  in  as  a Cawtain.  ? 

The  most  valuable  experience  1 had  was  the  participation  in  the  1930  Air 
Corps  Field  Exercises  at  Mather- Field,  Calif.  These  have  been  described  in 
previous  issues  of  the  Hews  letter,  so  I will  not  go  into  detail  in  describing' 
them.  While  in  California  I met  not  a few  members  of  the  organization  I work 
for,  all  of  whom  were  very  much  interested  in  my  assignment.  Outside  of  the- • •: 
.flying  experience  I had  there,  the  most  important  lessen  7 gained  was  in  watch- 
ing the  handling  of  a large  .organization  such  as  the  Provisional  Wing,  its  hous- 
ing and  feeding,  its  -supply. 'and'  operation  in  the  field  under  conditions  much  the 
same  as  one  would  find  them  in  the  first  months  of  warfare. 

While  I realize  it  would' 'be -unwise  to  assign  too  .many  Reserves  to  the 

maneuvers,  I believe  that  every  Reserve  on  extended  active  duty  should  partied.-  . 

pate  in  the  maneuvers  for  that  year.  Such  an  experience  of  from  four1  to  six 
weeks  is  more  valuable  than' a whole  year  of  ordinary  garrison  duty. 

■ All  too  soon  the  year  came  to  an  end,  . X had  no  illusions  dr  hopes  of  coming 
into,  the  Regular  establishment,  being  over  the  age  limit,  nor  did  X have  any  de- 
sire to  live  henceforth  on  a junior  officer*  s salary.  .As  so  oh  as  the  prepare 
tions  for  my  departure ‘from  the  Army  were  begun,  I started  to  think  of  my  engi-  ' 
neerihg  work  in  civil  life.  X -was  just  as  eager  to.  get  back  to' that- as  I had' 
been  to  get  into  the  Air  Corps  just  a year  previous.  I wondered  what  new  devel- 
opments I would  find  in  the  work  I had  been  doing  in  the  Spring  of  1929. 

As  I look  -bade  on  it,  this  -.past  year  has  been  the  experience' "-of  a life- time. 
I have  not  a growl  in  the  world.  I think  the  Air  Corps  does  wonders  under  the 
handicaps  it  buffers  - the  relative  low  rank  of  its  officers  compared  to  the 

rank  enjoyed  by  those  doing-  similar  duties  in  other  branches  of  the-  service,  the 

frequent  changes  of  station  undergone  by  officers  and  noncommissioned  officers 
alike  necessitated  by  the  recent -Air  Corps  expansion,  and  the  lack  of  airplanes 
with  which  to  perform  the  many  and  varied  duties  assigned  the  Air  Corps  as  a 
whole.  I only  hope  that  more  equipment  and  more  flying  hours  will  be  assigned 
to  inactive  status  Reserve  officers.  I'  should  like  to  he  the  most  active  of  the 
.inactive  flyers  in  my  Corps  Area  once.  I -got  back  to  the  old  button-hole  factory. 

I want  to  thank  Major  Kherr,  the.  Group  Commander,  and  the  others  in  posi- 
tions of  authority  for  their  consideration  of  me.  The  Regulars’ gave  me  'all  the 
breaks  possible  to  hit  the  ball  with  the  rest  of  the  Group.  In  other  word's,  the 
word  "Reserve"  did  not  mean  a thing  to  them.  We  worked  for  a common  cause  ~ 
efficiency. 

When  I finish' this  I must  go  and  polish  my  car,  and  then  be  off  back  to 
civilian  life.  I hope  I find  it  as  pleasant  as  this  past  year  with  the  Air  Corps 
ba.s  been. 

— — — o0o— — — 

- HO  REST  FOR  THE  DURSUITERS • 


Personnel  of  Selfridge  Field  have  weathered  quite  satisfactorily .a  very  busy 
month  which  was  crowded  with  special  flights.  The-  1st  Pursuit  Group  returned,  to 
their  home  station  from  the  Spring  Lfeneuvers  on  May  2nd.  Ships  from  the  17th  and 
27th  Pursuit  Squadrons  participated  in  aerial  exercises  and  demonstrations  in  co- 
operation with  the  62nd  and  S9th  Anti-aircraft  Regiments,  Coast  Artillery,  during 
the  period  May  10th  to  22nd,  Inclusive.  The  94th  -pursuit  Squadron  furnished  3.3 
P-12Js  for 'the  Minor  Joint  Army  and  Havy  Maneuvers  held  in  the  vicinity  of  Groton . 
Conn. , May  24th  - 28th,  inclusive.  Cargo  ships  from  the  57th  Service  Squadron 
were  furnished  to  ferry  mechanics  for  each  mission.  In  addition  to  the  above • 
special  missions,  a 12-ship  formation  flew  to  Indiananolis,  Ind. , f or  the  -Annual 
Speedway  Classic.  ^ ' „_Kn„  ... 


THE  FLYING  KITTENS 

By  Tech.  Sergeant  Edward  W.  Wetteran, 

43rd.  School  Squadron,  Kelly  Field,  Texas. 

One  of  the  Pursuiters  from  the  43rd  School  Squadron  was  talcing  his  daily 
exercise  of  acrobatic  maneuvers  at  an  altitude  of  severed.  thousand  feet  when 
something  suddenly  fell  in  his  lap.  Examination  of  the  object  showed  it  to  he  a 
wee  kitten  whose  purring  could  not  he  heard  above  the  rear  of  the  engine.  Cadet 
Waltkus  landed  and  returned  the  kitten  to  the  hangar  chief,  who  knew  the  exact 
location  of  a litter  of  such  animals  not  a great  distance  from  the  hangars. 
Sergeant  Williams  found  that  it  fitted  into  the  general  scheme  of  things  taking 
'place  in  rear  of  his  quarters. 

No  one  could  understand  where  the  kitten  came  from,  nor  when,  as  it  was  not 
in  the  cockpit  when  the  airplane  took  off  nor  in  the  fuselage  when  inspected  at 
the  end  of  the  preceding  day’s  flying.  Its  hiding  place,  however,  was  destined 
to  he  disclosed,  for  he  made  the  mistake  of  telling  one  of  his  brothers  what  a 
wonderful  ride  he  had  had  and,  of  course,  the  brother  set  up  a terrible  me-ow  to 
his  mother  to  be  allowed  the  privilege  of  a similar  jaunt.  The  mother  cat, being 
a modern  matron,  was  air-minded,  and  consented.  After  working  hours  the  next 
afternoon,  she  took  each  kitten  by  the  bade  of  the  neck  and  stealthily  navigated 
to  the  hangar  line.  She  evidently  admired  Sergeant  Williams,  for  she  made  her 
home  at  his  back  step  and  must  have  had  confidence  in .his  mechanical  ability,  for 
she  again  selected  an  airplane  from  his  hangar  in  which  to  send  her  two  boys. 

She  carefully  placed  them  in  the  baggage  compartment,  gave  them  a few  parting 
words  of  advice  about  keeping  quiet  and  still  and  the  proper  method  to  pursue  in 
the  event  it  became  necessary  to  "tail  out."  She  then  returned  to  the  remainder 
of  her  litter. 

When  Ship  No.  28  landed  the  next  day,  after  four  hours  in  the  air,  Mrs.  Cat 
was  nervously  pacing  the  hangar  floor  thinking  all  the  horrible  things  probably 
happening  to  her  boys  and  taking  solemn  vows  that  if  she  ever  got  them  back  there 
would  be  no  more  rides.  With  feigned  nonchalance  she  watched  the  crew  chief 
unlace  the  fabric  to  make  his  inspection,  and  she  was  as  much  relieved  as  he  was 
surprised  to  see  her  two  kittens  back  in  the  tail  section  of  the  airplane,  for 
the  ride  had  been  too  rough  to  allow  the  two  passengers  in  the  P-1  to  keep  their 
seats  in  the  baggage  compartment. 

Private  Cabbie,  the  crew  chief  on  No.  28,  sent  the  kittens  to  the  Flight 
Surgeons  (Majors  Harrison  and  Brown)  who,  after  the  usual  examination  and  due 
deliberation  in  such  cases,  removed  the  kittens  from  flying  status  to  take 
effect  immediately.  Reason  - unable  to  -pass  the  609  test  due  to  x>oor  vision, 
their  eyes  not  yet  being  open. 

oOo — - 

COMMERCIAL  PILOTS  TO  UNDERGO  ARMY  FLYING  TRAINING 

Ten  commercial  airplane  -pilots  recently  reported  at  the  Primary  Flying 
School  at  Brooks  Field,  San  Antonio,.  Texas,  for  a two-week  ipreliminary.  course  of 
instruction  -preiparatory  to  entering,  the  Advanced  Flying  School  at  Kelly  Field  as 
students  of  the  regular  course  in  military  aviation,  starting  July  1st. 

The  selection  of  the  students  who  have  learned  to  fly  at  commercial  flying 
schools  and  their  training  at  the  Army  schools  partakes  of  the  nature  of  an  ex- 
periment to  determine  the  adequacy  of  the  commercial  course  as  a substitute  for 
the  -primary  and  basic  Armjr  courses.  The  experiment  is  being  made  at  the  request 
of  officials  of  civilian  schools  who  are  sponsoring  a movement  to  have  all  but 
s-pecialized  military  training  done  at  commercial  schools. 

At  Brooks  Field  the  ten  students  will  be  given  15  hours  of  flying  instruc- 
tion, made  u_p  of  four  hours  transition  to  primary  -planes  and  demonstration  of 
maneuvers  with  a one-hour  test;  four  hours  transition  to  basic  type  planes  with 
two  hours’  test,  and  four  hours  of  formation  flying  in  basic, type  planes. 

oOo- — 

FIRST  ACCIDENT  IN  NINE  YEARS 

Master  Sergeant  Peter  Biesiot,  enlisted  -pilot  of  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  who  was 
injured  recently  when  a gust  of  wind  overturned  his  plane,  - prior  to  taking  off, 
pinning  him  in  the  cockpit  to  the  extent  that  he  received  a broken  vertebra,  is 
at  present  in  the  station  hos-pital  with  a -plaster  cast  holding  his  neck  while  the 

-179-  V-5058 , A. C. 


broken  vertebra  knits.  Sergeant  Biesiot  will  ‘probably  be  in  the  hospital  for 
the  next  three  months  to  come.  The  accident  was  his  first  in  nine  years  of  fly- 
ing, including  service  at  Langley  Field,  Va* i Wyi^ht  Field,  Ohio,  and.  the  Panama 
Canal  Zone. 

---bOo- — ..  '•  *'  •• 

CUBANS  PRAISE  ASM!  FLYERS 

Twenty- eight  members  of  the  Third  Attack  Group,  Fort  Crockett,  Texas,  who 
participated  in  the  Independence  Day  Celebration  on  May  20th  at  Havana,  Cuba,  re- 
cently returned  to  their  home  station.  They  were  presented  with  gold  medals  com- 
memorating their  visit. 

While  in  Havana,  the  Army  airmen  were  entertained  at  luncheon  by  the  Cuban 
Secretary  of  War.  President  Machado  gave  a reception  for  them  and  Ambassador 
Guggenheim  gave  a dinner  dance  in  their  honor. 

The  Havana  EVENING  TELEGRAM  commented  on  their  visit,  as  follows: 

"The  United  States  Army  aviators,  who  left  this  morning  for  Orlando, 
Fla.,  en.  route  to  their  home  bases  in  Texas  and  at  Washington,  D.C.,  after 
a four-day  stay  in  this  city,  during  which  they  took  an  active  part  in  the 
celebration  of  Cuba's  independence  anniversary,  are  representative  of  the 
finest  type  of  young  American  manhood.  They  are  a credit  not  only  to  the 
Army  Air  Service  but  also  to  the  country  of  which  they  are  citizens.  * * * 
The  future  of  aviation  in  the  United  States,  both  military  and  civil,  is 
safe  in  their  hands,  and  with  such  men  as  these  in  the  Air  Service  that 
country  is  bound  to  become  the  leaden  ill  the  world  of  flying." 

On  the  return  trip  the  Third  Attack'  Group  remained  overnight  at  Orlando,  Fla 
where  the  civilian  officials  gave  an  informal  dance  for  them. 

- — 0O0 

FAREWELL  DINNER  IN  HONOR  OF  GENERAL  GILLMORS. 

The  Racquet  Club,  Washington,  D.C.,  on  Friday,'  June  13th,  was  the  scene  of  a 
gathering  of  nearly  fifty  Air  Corps  officers,  stationed  in  and  about  the  Capital 
City,  who  assembled  at  a stag  dinner  to  do  honor  to  Brigadier- General  William  E. 
Gillmore,  Assistant  ’ Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  who  retires  from  active  servic* 

on  June  30th  by  virtue  of  the  completion  of  over  thirty  years'  service. 

The  toastmaster  of  the  evening,  Lieut. -Colonel  Frank  M.  Andrews,  Executive 
Officer  of  the  Training  and  Operations  Division,  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air 
Corps,  first  called  on  Captain  William  J.  Flood  for  a humorous  story,  and  the 
Captain  responded  nobly. 

Colonel  Andrews  then  traced  his  association  with  General  Gillmore  throughout 
his  service  in  the  Air  Corps,  and  then  called  on  General  Fechet,  Chief  of  the  Air 
Corps,  for  a few  remarks.  General  Fechet  dwelt  on' his  long  association  with 
General  Gillmore  and  enumerated  the  many  accomplishments  of  the  latter  while  a 
member  of  the  Air  Corps. 

The  guest  of  honor  was  the  next  speaker  and  his  address,  although  extempora- 
neous, was  most  excellent.  General  Gillmore  spoke  right  from  the  heart.  He 
touched  on  his  experiences  as  a young  man  and  his  association  with  General  Fechet, 
and  then  traced  his  thirteen  years'  experience  as  an  Air  Corps  officer.  Express- 
ing his  deep  regret  over  leaving  the  Air  Corps,  which  is  so  close  to  his  heart, 
he  added  that  it  was  a source  of  much  gratification  to  him  that  he  had  been  privi* 
ledged  to  participate  in  some  measure  toward  the  success  which  this  branch  of  the 
service  has  thus  far  enjoyed.  In  conclusion,  he  stated  that  no  matter  in  what 
position  he  may  find  himself  in  the  future,  his  thoughts  will  always  be  with  the 
Air  Corps. 

A notable  guest  at  the  gathering  was  Mr.  Frank  T.  Coffyn,  who  was  a Captain 
in  the  Air  Corps  during  the  War  and  one  of  the  original  Wright  flyers  back  in 
1910.  Mr.  Coffyn,  as  a flying  instructor,  gave  flying  instruction  to  several  of 
the  Air  Corps  officers  who  were  present  at  the  dinner. 

- — oOo—  - 

Nine  planes  of  the  90th  Attack  Squadron,  Third  Attack  Group,  Galveston, 

Texas,  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Virgil  Hine,  assisted  in  the.  dedication  of  the 
new  airport  at  Muskogee,  Oklahoma,  on  May  25th. 

-180-  , . V-6058 , A.  C. 


EAGLE  EYE  PAUL 

By  the  Mitchel  Field  Correspondent  . ; 

An  unprecedented  flight-  of  '- eighty.- miles  .'-was,  abopt  to-  "be  made  from.  Camp  Dix, 
iTew-  Jersey,-  to  Mitchel  Field,  •-and.-  pot  so  far  away  oh  a mound;  etood; flight- leader 
B.H.  "Hawkshaw"  Johnston, alias  "Eagle  Eye,"  alias  "Jack  Dalton,"  and  otherwise 
knom  to  his  public  as  "Pretty  Paul,  the  Pride  of  the  Air  Corps."  He  paused  in 
the  act  of  biting  the  head  off  a spike,  spat  out  a broken  tooth,  and  gazed 
heavenward. 

How  Pretty  Paul  had  been  detailed  to  "fly  like  an  eagle"  and  bring  a forma- 
tion of  five  -wayward  First  -Squadron  pilots  from  Camp  Dix  to  the  home  roost  at 
Mitchel  Field.  A weather  report  had.  come  over  the  ether  from  Mitchel  to.  the  ; 
effect  that  the  weather  was  dangerous,  but-  "Hawkshaw"  Johnston  was  dubious' about 
the  authenticity  thereof  because  the  skies  looked  fairly  cheerful.  The  weather 
report  worried  Paul,  not  so ’much  because  he  himself  wished  to  get- back  to  Mitchel 
Field,  but  because  he  was  apprehensive  for  the  welfare  of  his  boon  companion  and 
soul-mate.  "Kiki,"  known  to  the  rest  of  the  world  only  as  a silly  little  bull 
terrier  with  a white. snoot.  Camping  just  didn’t  agree  with  "Kiki."  Her  warm 
milk  and-  bed  were  waiting  at  Mitchel  Field;  and  such  needs  must  be  served.  Man’s 
love  for  dumb  critters  was  never  so  strong  as  that  which  welled  up  in  Hawkshaw1  s 
bosom.  So,  much  after  the  manner  of  the  Little  Conqueror,  with  a bit  of  Little 
Lord  Fauntelroy  thrown  in  for  good  measure,  he  decided  on  his  course  of  action. 
"Blow  the  bugle,  sound  the  drums!"  he  cried.  "Warm  ut>  the  ships  and  we’ll  be 
offi" 

"Kiki"  required  some  last  minute  attention,  so  that  by  the  time  it  was  ready  1 
for  the  journey  the  ships  were  ready  to  clear.  Said  Pretty  Paul  to ’liis  mechanic: 
"You  may  hold  "Kiki"  in.  your  lap,  but  mind  you  be  careful,  she’s  a precious  bur- 
den." Just  then  an  underling,  another  second  lieutenant,  sidled  up.  to  him  and 
asked  him  in  a nice  way  if  he  had  a map.  "Poo  hoo,"  said  Paul,  "for  why  should 
I need  a map?" 

Somewhere  over  Hew  Jersey,  almost  to  Sandy  Hook,  the  skies  began  to  lower  on 
Pretty  Paul  and  his  gang,  .and  he  debated  with  himself  the  advisability  of  proceed-  - 
ing.  Suddenly,  with  one  of  his  characteristic  lightning-like  gestures,  he  waved 
his  hands  in  the  air  for  the  break-up  signal  and  cocked  his  ship  over  and  down. 
Lumbers  two  and  three,  taken  unawares,  chandelled  up  out  of  the  way,  and  four  and 
five  were  left  stranded  in  the  breeze.  When  they  finally  reorganized  they' found 
that  they  were  headed  back  towards  Camp  -Dix,  and  with  that  the  fun -began. 

For, some  unknown  reason  Hawkshaw!  s compass  suddenly  decided  (according  to 
-Hawkshaw)  to  create  a ninety  degree  error  and,  being  well  supplied  as  he  was  with- 
out either  maps  or  inspirations,  he  was  in  an  excellent  position  to  get  back  to 
Camp  Dix.  Johnston  trusted  his  rapidly  failing  confidence  in  recognizing  the 
terrain  until  almost  to  Camp  Dix,  and  then  began  to  worry  outright  about  his  ninet; 
degree  error.  In  order  to  correct,  it,  thinking  it  was  stuck  or  merely  -playing 
tricks, -he  began  kicking  rudder  from f one  side  to  the  other,  which  'to  those  of  us 
who  like  to  preserve  a certain  etiquette  in  formation  flying  is  anything  but  help- 
ful to  the  wing  men. 

Finally  Eagle  Eye  sighted  Lakehurst  on  his  left  and  everything  should  have 
then  been  hunky  dory,  because  Dix  is  almost  due  west  from  there.  Paul,  however, 
was  beyond  even  trusting  his  eyesight  by  that  time,  so  he  cut  his  gun,  turned  to 
his  mechanic  and  hollered:  "Which  way  from  here?"  Whereupon  all  his  wing  men 
chandelled  up  out  of  his  way  a second  time,  while  the  mechanic  said  "That  way," 
pointing  to  the  west.  With- that  Paul  turned  not  west,  but  due  east  and  landed  at 
Lakehurst . . ? 

This  might  go  on  and  on  - how  the  fumbling  five  finally  got  back  to  Mitchel 
with  murder  in  their  hearts,  but  the  human  interest  would  wane.  This  is  merely  a 
touching  (I  hope)  tale  concerned  with  the  futility  of  dog-flying,  the  utter  use- 
lessness of  maps  and  the  independability  of  compasses.  As  such  we  end  it. 

■ r — 0O0 

LEW ; OFFICERS  AND  LEW -PLANES  ARRIVE  AT 
WHEELER  FIELD,  T.  H. 

'£he  18th  Pursuit  Group  at  Wheeler  Field,  Schofield  Barracks,  T.H.,  had  cause 
for  nuch  .elation  recently,,  the  reason  therefor  being  the  arrival  of  the- first  P-12 
type  airplane . It  has  been  a long- wait,  but  the  waiting  has  been -worth  while.  'The 
■^“12  is  certainly  a beautiful  ship,  and  fondest  expectations  have  been  far  sur- 
passed. Other  P-12»s  are  arriving  daily  from  the  Department  Air  Depot  at  Luke 

~181“  V-6058,A.C. 


Field,  and  the  entire  complement  of  eighteen  should  he  in  the  air  within  the  next 
two  weeks,  forcing  the  faithful  old  PW-31  s to  take  a hack  seat. 

The  arrival  of  twelve  new  officers,  recent  graduates  from  Kelly  Field,  has 
greatly  relieved  the  shortage  of  flying  personnel  in  the  Group,  and  the  outlook 
for  the  coming  year  is  very  promising.  These  new  arrivals  are  all  Air  Corps  .Re- 
serve officers  detailed  to  one  year  of  active  duty.  Most  of  them,  however,  have 
already  taken  their  examinations  for  Regular  commissions  in  the  Air  Corps,  and 
all  the  personnel  at  Wheeler  Field  join  in' wishing  them  every  success  in  their 
endeavors.  The  new  arrivals  are:  2nd  Lieutenants  J.C.  Crain,  A.J.  Hanna,  W.F. 
Kimball,  R.A.  Grussendorf , O.S.  Richer,  E.D.  Hoffman,  H.D.  Clapper,  W.J.  Scott, 
L.W.  Atrieher,  W.A.  Cocke,  L.f.  Sharman  and  M. M.  Works. 

The  officer  personnel  of  the  18th  Pursuit  Group  welcomed  the  new  officers 
with  open  arms  hy  celebrating  their  arrival  with  an  old  fashioned  Hawaiian  Luau 
on  the  beach  at  Haleiwa.  The  pig  was  unearthed  at  six  o’clock,  and  from  that 
time  on  joy  was  unconfined.  Hawaiian  music,  Hula  dancers,  etc.,  contributed  to 
the  merriment,  and  an  excellent  time  was  had  by  all. 

0O0 


BROTHERS  APLENTY  AT  WHEELER  FIELD 


The  personnel  of  Wheeler  Field,  T.H.,  believe  that  they  have  the  largest 
collection  of  brothers  at  any  Air  Corps  station.  There  are  at  present  nine  sets 
of  brothers  among  the  enlisted  personnel  of  the  18th  Pursuit  Group,  as  follows: 
Daniel  H.  and  Elmer  M.  Jones  Rupert  R.  and  Curtis  E.  Riblett 

Leonard  A.  and  Homer  Quinn  Roy  L.  and  Alvin  0.  Sundseth 

William  H.  and  Fred  0.  Bushnell  John  and  Edward  White 

Dorlen  E.  and  Argie  A.  McGuffee  Frank  G.  and  Ruben  H.  Winiecki 

James  and  Paul  Smith 

In  addition  to  the  18  brothers  enumerated  above,  the  19th  Pursuit  Squadron 
has  among  its  personnel  a father  and  son  combination  in  Staff  Sergeant  Robert 
Harvey  and  his  son  Private  George  W.  Harvey. 

- — o0o~ — 


MITCHEL  FIELD  OFFICERS  ENJOY  DEEP  SEA  FISHING 

The  season  for  martyrs  to  the  cause  of  angling  is  open,  and  the  Mitchel 
Field  Chapter  of  the  Isaac  Walton  League  is  functioning  in  full  force  under  the 
expert  guidance  of  Captain  '’Red”  Simonin  and  his  crony,  Captain  Christine,  the 
mentor  from  Air  Ckrps  Supply. 

"Red”  has  the  boat.  Captain  Christine  the  angler's  art,  Chaplain  Ballentine 
the  spiritual  inspiration  necessary  for  the  snaring  of  fish,  Lieut.  A.V.P. 

Anderson  the  biggest  rod,  and  the  others  the  ambition  to  be  bigger  and  better 
deep  sear  fishermen. 

There  haven’t  been  any  reports  of  astounding  catches  to  date,  but  there  have 
been  tales  of  grim  courage  in  combatting  the  elements.  A four-hour  drizzle  was 
survived  and  great  plunder,  consisting  of  four  weakfish,  was  displayed  as  a peace 
offering  to  irate  wives.  A long  struggle  for  blackfish  offshore  in  a plunging 
boat  caused  the  Chaplain,  despite  his  prayers  to  the  contrary,  to  become  sick  at 
heart  as  well  as  stomach. 

Better  days  and  bigger  fish  to  come,  says  Christine. 

oOo 

MITCHEL  FIELD  WELCOMES  MEMBER  OF  THE  BYRD  EXPEDITION 

The  entire  personnel  at  Mitchel  Field,  L.I.,  New  York,  is  exceedingly  proud 
to  welcome  Sergeant  Benjamin  Roth  back,  after  many  long  months  spent  with  the  lyrd 
Expedition  in  the  Antarctic.  Sergeant  Roth  is  assigned  to  the  6ist  Service  Squad- 
ron and  was  granted  an  extended  furlough  to  act  as  an  airplane  mechanic  for 
Admiral  I^yrd.  As  a commendation  for  his  work  he  was  recently  promoted  to  the 
grade  of  Master  Sergeant. 

According  to  the  News  Letter  Correspondent,  the  Noncommissioned  Officers'  Clut 
at  Mitchel  Field  is  blowing  its  last  dollar  to  stage  a real  welcome  home  dinner 
in  his  honor,  and  it  promises  to  be  a gala  event. 

— O0o 

Famous  last  words  — "Where  is  that  darned  ripcord?" 

-182- 


V-S058,  A.  C 


CORPS  ARM  COMMANDER  MAXES  INSPECTION  OP  MITCHEL  PI  ELD 


Major-General  Hanson  E.  Ely,  Commanding  the  Second  Corps  Area,  made  his 
annual  tactical  inspection  of  Mitchel  Field  on  Wednesday,  June  18th,  and  at  its 
termination  was  apparently  very  well  pleased. 

The  whole  hag  of  tricks,  an  Observation  repertory  with  all  the  trimmings, 
was  shown  the  General.  The  elaborate  schedule,  replete  with  formation  flying, 
photography,  radio,  Red  Cross  missions  and  combats,  was  thrown  in  an  uproar  by 
an  all  morning  drizzle  and  fog  and  confined  the  General’s  activities  to  dodging 
puddles  and  making  a ground  inspection  of  the  lineup  of  ships. 

When  shown  the  nickel-plated  dumbbell,  the  General  evinced  many  chuckles 
and  immediately  wanted  to  interview  the  red-headed  warrior  Mulligan,  who  claims 
present  ownership  according  to  Major  Ryan,  the  dumbbell’s  godfather.  Needless 
to  say,  Jerry  was  slightly  embarrassed  by  the  interview. 

In  addition  to  the  inspection  of  the  ships  , General  Ely  inspected  all  post 
transportation  and  the  inner  workings  of  the  Engineering  Hangar.  He  commented 
very  favorably  on  the  condition  of  the  61st  Service  Squadron  and  lauded  Captain 
A.E.  Simonin  for  his  work  in  maintaining  such  an  excellent  hangar  and  set  of 
shops. 

With  .the  weather  clearing,  the  aerial  review  was  staged  immediately  after 
lunch.  A total  of  thirty  01-E’s  passed  in  review.  Red  Cross  and  artillery 
adjustment  missions  were  carried  out  and  the  results  given  the  General.  A 
bundle  of  supplies  for  the  starving  bachelors  was  dropped  by  a parachute  at  his 
feet,  and  a DH4  lumbered  off  to  shoot  pinpoints  which,  upon  arrival  at  the  photo 
section,  were  printed  and  delivered  to  the  General  in  less  than  thirty  minutes. 

As  a pleasant  aftermath  to  the  inspection,  Colonel  Howard  whisked  the 
General  over  to  the  Meadowhrook  golf  course  where  the  two  of  them  decisively 
quelched  any  championship  ambitions  which  Major  Ryan,  the  third  member  in  the 
party,  might  have  had. 

In  the  evening  the  Colonel  and  Mrs . Howard  entertained  the  General,  Mrs. 

Ely  and  their  daughter  at  dinner  and  later  at  the  prize  fights  in  the,  field’s 
open  air  ring.  The  General  stayed  until  the  last  sock  was  socked,  and  a very 
pleasant  time  was  had  by  all. 

0O0 


MW  AIRMEN  RESCUES  AFTER- LAI® INC-' -IN  OPEN  SEA 

While  flying  between  Maui  and  Hawaii  shortly  after  ll:00'a.m. , at  an  alti- 
tude of  about  8,000  feet,  an  L.B.5A  Bomber,  piloted  by  2nd  Lieut.  T.L.  Boyd,  Air 
Corps  Reserve,  with  Staff  SergeantsH.  Alexander,  Jolni  Becker  and  Private  H.L. 
Cowan  as  crew,  crashed  in  the  open  sea  on  May  14th  last . 

The  plane  piloted  by  Lieut.  Boyd  was  one  of '42  Army  . planes  from  Luke  and 

Wheeler  Fields  -participating  in  an  inter-island  flight.-  The  flight  consisted 
of  a Eokker  Transport  and  24  Pursuit  planes  from  Wheeler  Field,  four  Keystone 
LB-5A  Bombers,  three  Loening  Amphibians  and  ten -DeHay Hands  from  Luke'  Field. 

The  flight  had  passed  Maui,  when,  the  plane,  piloted  by,  Lieut.  Boyd  was 
forced  down  about  10  miles  from  Maui  and  18  miles  from,' Upolu  Point.  All  members 
of  the  crew,  except  Staff  Sergeant'  Becker,  jumped  at  about  4,Q00:  feet  and  pere ' ■' 
picked  up  from  the  waves  later.  Staff  Sergeant  Becker  was  carried. to  the ‘bottom 
of  the  ocean  when  his  parachute  opened  prematurely  and  became  entangled  with; 
the  rigging  of  the  plane.  This  prevented  his  escape  and  he  perished... 

The  first  Army  Amphibian  which  dived  to  the  assistance  of  the  doomed  Bomber 

was  piloted  by  2nd  Lieut.  E.  W.  Rawlings,  with  Staff  Sgt.  R.F.  Summers  as  crew 

chief.  They  were  picked  up  by  the.  steamer  "Hawaii”  but  the  airplane  was  lost  at 
sea.  Another  Army  Amphibian,  piloted,  by  1st  Lieut.  U. G.  Jones,  with  1st  Lieut. 
W.T.  Meyer,  as  radio  officer  of  the  flight,-  followed  Lieut.  Rawlings  to -the 
water,  but  were  unable  to  assist  in  the  rescue  due  to  the  mountainous  sea.  They 
remained  adrift  until  rescued  by  the  "Pelican"  at  1:38  a.m.  Wednesday,  May  15th, 
40  miles  southwest  of  the  spot  where  they  landed  in  their  rescue  effort. 

A Navy  PD  Seaplane,  in  command  and  piloted  by  Lieut.  M.A.  Schur,  followed 
the  Army  ships  to  the  water,  and  able  to  taxi  because  of  its  two  powerful  motors, 
picked  up  Lieut.  Boyd,  Staff  Sgt.  Alexander  and  Private  Cowan.  All  three 
rescued  men,  as  well  as  the  Navy  plane’s  crew,  were  later  transferred  to  the 
inter-island  vessel  "Hawaii,"  and  still  later  to  the  "Waialeale," 

This  air  disaster,  in  addition  to  resulting  in  the  death  of  Staff  Sergeant 
Becker,  caused  the  loss  of  three  airplanes,  an  Army  LB-5A  Bomber  and  two  Loening 
Amphibians,  and  one  Navy  PD  Seaplane. 


-183- 


V-6058,  A.C. 


Relating  the  details  of  the  accident  after  reaching  Luke  Field,  Lieut. 

Boyd  told  of  his  frantic  efforts  to  get  Staff  Sergeant  Becker  to  jump,  his  ef- 
forts to  get  to  him  to  jerk  him  from  the  cockpit  and  his  oral  crash  against  the 
tail  surfaces  in  which  he  carried  away  the  rudder. 

uWe  were  "buzzing  along  smoothly  at  the  time  as  the  last  plane  in  a forma- 
tion of  four,”  Lieut.  Boyd  stated.  11  Hie  other  three  made  a triangle  ahead  of 
us.  I noticed  the  right  wing,  beginning  to  settle  and  turned  the  wheel  to  bring 
it  up.  The  wheel  refused  to  turn,  although  I tugged  with  all  my  strength,  shout- 
ing to  Alexander. 

"Alexander  was  sitting  on  ipy  right  in  the  pilot’s  cockpit.  As  soon  as  he 
saw  what  was  wrong  he  threw  up  his  hands  to  show  me  it  was  hopeless.  So  I cut 

the  gun  and  we  both  shouted  to  get  Cowan  and  Becker  to  abandon  ship.  Alexander 

went  over  th©  left  side  and  along  the  fuselage.  I stood  up  hanging  on  to  the 
wheel  and  shouted  to  Cowan  several  times.  He  was  slow  to  realize  what  was 
happening,  but  when  he  did  begin  to  climb  back  he  was  perfectly  cool.  Then  I 
turned  bade,  going  over  to  the  right  side  on  to  the  lower  wing.  Alexander  was 

on  the  right  wing  shouting  and  pleading  with  Becker  to  jump.  I began  to  shout 

and  swear  at  him,  but  he  stayed  in  his  cockpit.  Alexander  let  go  and  shot  away 
from  the  plane.  He  was  on  the  inside  of  the  curve,  the  best  place  to  leave  the 
ship  . I was  on  the  outside. 

"I  knew  I was  supposed  to  be  the  last  off,  and  we  were  plunging  down  toward 
the  sea.  We  had  dropped  about  2500  feet  by  this  time  and  as  I went  out  of  the 
cockpit  th©  air  speed  indicator  was  already  175  miles  an  hour.  I decided  I 
would  grab  Becker  by  the  collar  and  pull  him  out.  As  I made  a move  toward  him 
the  wind  shot  me  into  the  tail.  I crashed  hard  against  the  controls  and  the 
rudder  came  off  with  me.  But  I didn’t  feel  much  pain.  I was  mad  more  than  any- 
thing else. 

"The  -plane  turned  over  once  in  a half  roll  and  then  went  down  vertically. 

I was  falling  head  first  and  the  plane  was  directly  ahead  of  me.  I saw  the 
white  shreds  of  a parachute  flapping  in  the  tail  and  felt  sick  because  I had 
left  the  ship  ahead  of  Becker.  I -pulled  the  rip  cord  when  I saw  the  plane  hit 
the  water.'  My  chute  opened  at  the  same  instant  I heard  the  noise.  I was  swing- 
ing hard  when  I hit  the  water.  I .slapped  up  against  the  side  of  a wave  and  it 
knocked  me  out.  When  I came  to  I was  being  dragged  through  the  water  by  me 
parachute,  which  was  still  in  the  air. 

"On  the  way  down  I realized  it  was  going  to  be  a big  job  getting  untangled 
in  the  water,  but  I couldn’t  do  much  about  it.  My  shoes  and  socks  were  torn  off 
when  I struck  the  rudder.  My  helmet  and  goggles  disappeared  also,  and  the  but- 
tons were  gone  off  my  kapok  coat.  I was  hanging  on  by  the  arm  pits.  As  soon  as 
I hit  the  water  I began  to  struggle  with  the  parachute.  It  took  me  10  or  15 
minutes  to  get  out  of  it.  I think  I hit  the  water  first  because  I dropped  far- 
ther than  the  others.  Alexander  went  farthest  down  wind  and  Cowan  was  behind 
me. 

"I  saw  Lieut.  Jones  land  and  try  to  get  Alexander,  but  he  was  pulled  off 
their  wing  when  the  wind  got  into  his  -parachute.  I was  in  the  water  a half  hour 
before  I was  picked  up." 

Lieut.  Boyd,  according  to  Honolulu  newspapers,  attributed  Becker’s  death  to 
panic  which  caused  him  to  delay  his  jump  and  then  open  his  parachute  while  still 
in  the  plane . He  expressed  the  belief  that  Private  Cowan  also  struck  the  tail 
controls  of  the  plane  and  dislocated  his  shoulder  at  the  time. 

Propped  up  in  a .cot  at  Tripler  Hospital,  Private  Homer  L.  Cowan  gave  his 
version  of  the  accident,  as  follows,  according  to  the  Honolulu  "Star  Bulletin": 

"The  first  time  I noticed  anything  wrong  was  when  we  started  to  leave  the 
formation  and  nose  down.  Then  the  motors  idled  down  and  Lieut.  Boyd  and  Sgt. 
Alexander  began  shouting  to  me  to  jump.  I was  riding  in  the  nose,  the  forward 
gunner’s  cockpit,  so  this  was  no  easy  job.  I had  to  crawl  back  between  two 
whirling  propellers  and  if  I fell  off  I might  get  thrown  into  them. 

I went  along  the  top  to  the  •pilot's  cockpit.  Lieut.  Boyd  and  Alexander  had 
already  left  it  and  were  crawling  up  the  tail.  I didn’t  see  Becker  at  all.  I 
never  saw  him  after  we  started  that  dive. 

I noticed  the  wind  was  terrific  and  the  tail  kept  getting  steeper  as  I 
crawled.  I went  through  under  the  top  wing,  but  when  I got  on  the  catwalk  that 
runs  along  the  fuselage  I lost  hold.  Then  I suddenly  found  myself  out  in  the 
air  all  alone.  I waited  a moment  and  then  -pulled  the  cord.  My  parachute  opened 
almost  immediately  and  I looked  around.  I saw  two  -parachutes  just  below  me,  but 
never  saw  any  of  the  planes  until  1 struck  the  water. 

On  the  way  down  I heard  the  plane  plunk  into  the  water  and  started  looking 
for  it.  All  I saw  was  a big  oil  spot  and  some  bubbles.  I tried  to  unfasten 

*184-  V-6058 , A. C. 


my  parachute  harness  and  found  I couldn’t  use  my  right  arm.  But  I unhooked  the 
hreast  strap  with  my  left  hand  just  "before  I hit  the  water. 11 . 

Lieut.  Jones  also  had  an  interesting  story  to  tell.  "I  was  flying  with  the 
escort  of  amphibians  about  1,000-  feet  "below  the  Bombers  and  to  the  right.  Meyer 
and  I saw  the  whole  accident.  We  watched  the  plane  turn  and  plunge  and  the 
three  parachutes  open  as  the  men  left.  Then  I saw  a parachute  open  out  of  the 
rear  cockpit.  I saw  it  bellow  and  then  collapse  as  the  plane  gathered  speed.  It 
was  a matter  of  very  few  seconds  until  it  went  down,  only  a few  splinters  and 
some  oil  marking  the  spot. 

Lieut.  Meyer  sent  out  the  first  SOS.  Ke  sent  out  several  in  succession,  and 
then  told  the  world  we  were  going  down,  giving  the  position.  He  reeled  in  the 
antennae  while  I put  the  ship  to  the  surface.  Rawlings  landed  first  and  I was 
right  behind  him  only  farther  down  wind.  Alexander  grabbed  my  right  wing  and 
then  his  parachute  opened  in  a gust  of  wind  and  pulled  him  off.  We  tried  to 
catch  Boyd,  but  he  went  by  under  our  right  wing.  Cowan  was  farther  up  wind  and 
we  didn’t  get  to  him." 

Then  Jones  told  of  the  13  hours  during  Tillich  he  sat  at  the  controls,  know- 
ing that  the  slightest  error  meant  destruction.  He  kept  the  Amphibian  up  into 
the  waves  and  wind  from  shortly  after  11:00  a. m.  Wednesday  until  1:30  a.m. 
Thursday,  when  the  Pelican  came  to  them  to  answer  their  rockets. 

"I  taxied  over  to  the  oil  streak  where  the  plane  crashed  after  I found  I 
couldn’t  turn  around  and  help  the  Navy  pick  up  the  men,"  Lieut.  Jones  continued. 
"But  there  was  little  there.  My  motor  held  on  for  half  an  hour  and  then  started 
missing  and  died. 

"After  this  we  started  to  drift  south  and  west.  We  both  proved  good  sail-  j 
ors  and  Meyer  kept  the  rockets  going  every  time  the  Wavy  -planes  came  along. 

When  the . seaplanes  stopped  .their  patrol  at  dark,  we  decided  we  would  have  to 
weather  out  the  night.  The. waves  seemed  25  feet  high  and  the  wind  was  blowing 
about  35  miles  an  .hour , but  our  plane  stood  it  well.  The  main  problem  was  to 
keep  her  into  the  waves  and  still  keep  her  from  going  over  backwards. 

"When  darkness  came,  Meyer  told  me  our  rockets  were  nearly  all  gone,  so  I 
ruled  we  should  use  none  until  we  saw  a light.  We  saw  the  Pelican’s  lights 
shortly  after  1:00  a.m.  and  it  seemed  about  an  hour  before  she  got  to  "us.  They 
got  a line  aboard  and  I crawled  out  on  the  top  wing.  Meyer  was  on  the  lower 
wing  and  I thought  he  had  gotten  aboard. 

I saw  a chance  and  jumped  for  the  boat.  Meyer -held  back  until  another 
wave  hoisted  the  plane  up  and  then  he  was  right  after  me." 

O0o 

MAY  PROVES  STRENUOUS  MONTH  AT  MITCHEL  FIELD 

"Perhaps  the  month  of  May  brings  flowers,  the  Graf  Zeppelin,  and  another 
golf  title,"  says  the  News  Letter  Correspondent  from  Mitchei  Field,  "but  it  has 
brought  a lot  of  grief  to  the  old  homestead.  First  of  all,  four  prisoners  ap- 
plied for  leave  in  a nice  gentlemanly  manner,  and  when  disappointed  took  their 
vacation  by  kicking  the  slats  out  of  the  guardhouse  wall.  Then  the  following 
day  the  post  garage  took  a beating  by  succumbing  to  a vicious'  fire  which  razed  1 
the  structure  to  the  ground,  melted  several  trucks,  a new  Marmon  car,  bolts, 
nuts,  screws,  tires,  eta. 

The  fire  was  quite  sensational,  rampant  with  heroism.  Men  dashed  into  the  1 
blazing  structure  and  succeeded  in  saving  several  cars.  The  post  fire  depart- 
ment boys  abandoned  their  pinochle 'and  valiantly  -protected  the  surrounding  build- 
ings. A , telephone  operator  stuck  to  his  pest  with  the  flames  scarcely  ten  feet  I 
away  and  notified  all  the  surrounding  fire  departments.  Lieut.  Heff ley  mourned 
the  cremation  of  his  new  Marmon  and  saw  his  love,  and  life  work,  post  transporta- 
tion, fast  removed  to  complete  ruin.  When  the  $moke  cleared  away  two  charred 
timbers  rose  up  like  spectral  sentries  to  guard  .the  mass  of  twisted  metal. 

As  a sort  of  an  aftermath  while  the  junk  man  .qleared  out  the.  ruin  several 
days  later,  Pardoe  Martin  looked  bn  woefully,  heaved,  a si-gh  and  was  heard  to 
say:  ’Oh,  for  a tidal  wave  or  a hurricane.  ’Tis  all  we  have  yet  to  experience." 

- — oOo 


Twelve  01-E’ s from  Mitchei  Field,  led  by  Major  Ryan,  accompanied  Secretary 
Payne  to  Springfield,  Mass. , where  an  excellent  new  field  (Bowles  Field)  was 
dedicated.  An  airport  at  Plattsburgh  was  opened  by  Lieut.  Bobo  Baxter  (now 
closed  for  repairs)  and  the  next  opening  is  at  Montpelier,  ?t. 

~ -185-  v-fiO.RR.  An. 


V-6058,  A.  C. 


CATERPILLARS  STILL  JUMPING 

The  Caterpillar  Club  roster  reminds  one  of  a hotel  .register  where  names 
are  always  added  and  none  erased.  This  roster  of  "Silk  Sailors,"  as  someone 
has  dubbed  Caterpillar  Club  members , already  shows  an  imposing  list  of  names. 

The  last  record  as  of  May  30th  showed  a total  of  239  persons  who  trusted 
their  .lives-  to  the  efficiency  of  the  parachute  and  were  fully  repaid  for  their 
confidence  in  this  safety  device.  Since  the  resume  in  the  last "Issue  of  the 
News  Letter  oh  the  status  of  the  Caterpillar  Cluh,  the  names  of  several  addi- 
tional emergency  parachute  jumpers  were  called  to  the  attention  of  the  unoffi- 
cial historian  of  this  mythical  organization. 

An  item  in  the  Curt  if.  s-Wright  Review*  for  June  states: 

"Robert  Chew,  test  pilot  from  Valley  Stream  Base,  marched  up  to  a police 
booth  recently  and  reported  he  was  obliged -to  step  off  from  a privately  owned 
plane  he  was  testing  over  the  Rockaways  -on  Long  Island.  This  forced  parachute 
jump  makes  him  a member  of  the  famous  Caterpillar  Club." 

The  date  of  Mr,  Chew's  jump  has  not  been  reported,  nor  is  anything ■ known 
at  this  time  of  the  circumstances  which  compelled  him  to  take  leave  of  his 
airplane.  It  is  hoped  Mr.  Chew,  or  some  other  kind  person,  will  furnish  the 
Air  Corps  Information  Division  with  the  necessary  particulars  regarding  this 
latest  initiation  into  the  Caterpillar  Club. 

A communication  recently  received  from  Major  Ross  E.  Rowell,  United  States 
Marine  Corps , Commanding  Headquarters  Aircraft  Squadron,  West  Coast  Expedition- 
ary Force,  U.S.  Naval  Air  Station,  San  Diego,  Calif-. , reports  that  on  May  19th 
four  members  of  the  Marine  Corps  saved  their  lives  by  jumping  in  parachutes , 
viz: 

v Second  Lieutenant  R.  J.  DeLacy,  U.S.M.C; 

Staff  Sergeant  I.  V.  Masters;,  U.S.M.C. 

Gunnery  Sergeant  S.  G.  Davey,  U.S.M.C. 

Private  1st  Class  D . M.  Anderson , U.S.M.Ci. 

Major  Rowell  cites  the  circumstances  connected  with  the  emergency  jumps 
of  these  men,  as  follows : ‘ 

"A  five-plane  ground  attack  formation  was  being  drilled  for  the  instruc- 
tion of  new  pilots.  East  of  Chula  Vista,  Calif.,  at  an  altitude  of  about  2,500 
feet,  the  planes  were  signalled  into  column  from  a vee  formation.  Two  -planes 
collided  and  locked  together.  All  four  of  the  occupants  jumped  safely  and  the 
planes  crashed  and  burned.  Gunnery  Sergeant  Davey,  an  observer,  was  stunned  by 
the  impact  and  in  jumping  fouled  his  1 chute  on  the  plane.  Although  one  panel 
was  riipped  for  about  seven  feet  and  a shroud  line  broken , he  descended  safely. " 

Through  Mr.  Hugh  J.  Crossland,  of  the  Thompson  Aeronautical  Corporation, 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  it  was  learned  that  as  far  back  as  March  11,  1930,  one  A.H. 
Dewitt,  Air  Mail  Pilot,  was  initiated  into  the  Caterpillar  Club  under  rather 
exciting  circumstances.  But  let  Caterpillar  Al.  Dewitt  tell  his  story: 

"As  Caterpillars  are  made,  not  born,  I am  submitting  this  report  of  my 
initiation  to  the  Club.  Caterpillars  are  usually  found  crawling  around  in 
trees,  so  it  was  nothing  unusual  to  find  myself,  a newly  hatched  Caterpillar, 
climbing  .down  a tall  tree  in  which  my  parachute  had  be  come  entangled. 

At  7:30  on  the  evening  of  March  11th,  I had  started  from  Kalamazoo  with  a 
new  Pitcairn,  bound  for  Chicago.  The  weather  in  Michigan  had  been  squally,  and 
only  our  Detroit  plane  had  managed  to  get  in,  and  I,  enjoying  my  day  of  leisure, 
had  been  elected  to  carry  the  mail  on  to  Chicago.  The  weather  reports  down  the 
line  promised  smooth  sailing,  with  no  snow  squalls  in  sight. 

I was  soon  pitching  along  nicely  in  a light  snow  with  a strong  wind  and 
fairly  good  visibility  until  I got  -within  a few  miles  of  the  South  Bend  airport. 
It  was  snowing  hard  then,  but  I could  still  distinguish  the  flash  of  the  beacon. 
Mentally  co ngratulat ing  myself  for  being  so  close  to  an  airport  I went  on  at 
about  300  feet,  but  when  I got  within  a mile  of  the  field  the  visibility 
vanished  altogether.  ' 

My  idea  then  was  to  stick  around  and  wait  for  the  lights  to  come  on,  and 
so  I started  coaxing  my  instruments  to  make  wide  circles  -around  where  the  fields 
had  been.  You  probably  know  what  a gale  and  a squall  will  do  to  nice  circles, 
so  I finally  gave  up  that  idea  and  started  back  to  where  I had  first  lost  my 
visibility.  Weird  noises,  rushing  of  wind  and- uncanny  feelings,  accompanied 
with  the  waving  hands  of  the  instruments , soon  made  me  realize  that  the  best 
thing  to  do  was  to  disregard  direction  and  try  to  grab  some  altitude.  I manag- 
ed to  get  a couxole  of  thousand  feet  and  went  along  fairly  well  for  some  time, 
when  suddenly  things  got  away  from  me.  Dirt  swirled  out  of  the  cockpit  and  I 

-186-  V-6058,  A. C. 


started  coining  down  in  some  wild  way.  I was  ready  to  leave  when  a little 
bunch  a halos  spun  in  front  of  me.  I jammed  the  stick  forward  and  reldaatd 
it  in  time  to  see  pinpoints  of  light  flash  by,  and  realized  that  I must  have 
been  spinning  into  some  town. 

By  this  time  my  only  thought  was  to  get  high  enough  to  bail  out,  if  I 
didn't  run  out  of  the  storm  in  the  meantime.  I finally  gained  altitude  and 
flew  fairly  satisfactorily  for  a time,  hoping  that  I would  find  a break.  It 
was  terribly  rough  and  so  when  the  ship  finally  got  away  from  me  and  started 
down  at  the  rate  of  2,000  feet  a minute,  and  nothing  that  I could  do  seemed 
to  stop  the  descent,  I cut  the  switches  and  unloosened  my  belt. 

I didn't  jump  but  simply  flew  out,  clearing  the  ship  immediately,  which 
makes  me  think  I was  in  an  inverted  dive.  The  only  .satisfaction  I had  in 
jumping  is  that  the  Beneficiary  Department  would  soon-  be  forwarding  my  wife 
her  check.  [Che  next  thing  I knew  I was  crashing  headfirst  into  the  top  of  a 
tree,  where  I hung  suspended  by  the  entangled  shrouds  of  my  parachute.  As  I 
hung  there  I reviewed  the  situation,  looked  at  my  watch  which  showed  8:30  p.m.  , 
E.S.T.,  and  carefully  climbed  down  the  tree,  leaving  the  parachute  waving  in 
the  top  as  a signal  of  truce  to  the  elements . 

I found  the  wreckage  and  we  trained  the  mail,  which  was  undamaged.  Ten 
minutes  later  the  moon  was  laughing  at  me,  the  ceiling  unlimited." 

A member  of  the  First  Pursuit  Greupcof  Self ridge  Field,  Mt.  Clemens, 

Mich.,  Lieut.  M.  F.  Slaght , Air  Corps,  was  initiated  into  the  Caterpillar  Club 
on  foreign  territory.  While  passing  over  Kitchener,  Ontario,  Canada,  on  June 
2nd,  Lieut.  Slaght  was  thrown  from  his  airplane,  and  his  parachute  landed  him 
safely  in  a city  back  yard.  The  newly  initiated  Caterpillar  was  a member  of  a 
squadron  of  18  Pursuit  planes,  in  command  of  Captain  Victor  H.  Strahm,  which, 
were  traveling  from  Selfridge  Field  to  Kingston,  Ontario.  According  to  Lieut. 
Slaght,  the  squadron  was  traveling  at  an  altitude  of  3,000  feet,  and  when  ap- 
proaching the  city  of  Kitchener  the  airmen  dived  their  planes  slightly.  The 
safety  belt  around  his  body,  which  is  attached  to  the  plane,  snapped , and  the 
sudden  impact  of  air  currents  forced  him  from  his  machine  „ Slaght  missed  the 
high  tension  electric  wires  which  pass  over  the  district  by  between  18  and  20 
feet,  the  wind  carrying  him  safely  over.  The  other  pilots,  after  watching 
Slaght  land  safely,  proceeded  on  their  way. 

It  will  be  noted  from  the  foregoing,  that  seven  new  names  have  been  added 
to  the  Caterpillar  Club,  thereby  boosting  the  membership  to  246,  and  the  num- 
ber of  emergency  jumps  to  258,  twelve  of  the  jumps  being  repeaters. 

oOo — - 

A NOVEL  NIGHT  FOB.  MAT  I Oil  FLIGHT  OVER  NEW  YORK 

One  of  the  'prettiest  sights  ever  seen  over  New  York  City  was  witnessed  one 
night  recently  when  three  planes  from  Mitchel  Field  flew  a formation  over  the 
Garden  Party  on  Governors  Island* 

•The  three  planes  were  rigged  . with  two  rows  .of  electric  lights  along  the 
bottom  of  the  lower  wing  and  fuselage  which  were  control.  I able  from  the  cock- 
pits. Flying  in* close  formation  the  ships  gave  the  impression  of  three  jeweled 
crosses  and  presented  as  unusual  a sight  as  one  would  care  to  behold.  .Even  the 
hard  working  souls  holding  down  the  benches'  in  the  Battery  were  said  to  have 
lost  their  seats  when  they  got  up  to  look  at  the  formation  passing  over. 

In  addition  to  this  formation,  every  available  airplane  on  the  field  was 
engaged  in  simulating  a massed  attack  on  Governors  Island  for  the  benefit  of 
the  crowds. 

oOo 

FLYING  RATINGS  IN  THE  AIR  CORPS 

The  Army  Air  Corps  lists  four  flying  ratings  by  which  flyers  of  this*,  ser- 
vice are  designated:  Airplane  Pilot  (including  Junior  Airplane  Pilot  and  Military 
Aviator),  Air  Observer,  Airship  Pilot  and  Balloon  Observer. 

All  but  18  Air  Corps  officers  have  one  or  more  of  the  above  ratings,  with 
60^  of  all  Air  Corps  officers  holding  more  than  one  rating. 

There  are  also  18  officers  who  hold  all  four  ratings,  with  experience  in 
all  the  branches  of  military  aviation.  These  18  officers  are  stationed  in  15 
different  posts  in  the  tJnited  States  and  its  possessions.  In  rank  they  are' 
three  majors,  three  captains,  and  the  remaining  twelve  first  lieutenants. 

-187-  V-6058.  A.C. 


WAR  DEPARTMENT  ORDERS  AFFECTING-  AIR  CORPS  OFFICERS  • 

Changes  of  Station;  Brigadier- General  Benjamin.  D . Foulois , Assistant 
Chief  of  Air  Corps,  from  duty  as  Chief  of  Materiel  Division,  Wright  Field, 

Dayton,  Ohio,  to  Office  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  Washington,  July  1,  1930. 

Major  Albert  L.  Sneed,  Rock-jell  Field,  Calif.,  to  Materiel  Division, 

Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  effective  July  30,  1930. 

Iife-jor  Barton  K.'  Yount,  Air  Corps  Tactical  School,  Langley  Field,  Va.,  to 
Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif.,  to  assume  command. 

Captain  Wm.  F.  Vdlandt,  upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in  Philippines, 
to  Office  Chief  of  Air  Corps,  Washington,  D.G. 

Captain  Lloyd  L.  Harvey,  Fort  Crockett,  Texas,  to  Fort  Leavenworth, Kansas, 
for  duty  as  student  1930-1932  course  at  Command  and  General  Staff  School. 

Captain  Alfred  I.  Puryear,  Langley  Field,  Va. , to  Foi't  Bragg,  N.C.,  for 
duty  with  2nd  Balloon  Company. 

Upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in  Philippines,  Captain  Arthur  W.  Brock  . 
to  proceed  to  Langley  Field,  Va. , for  duty.  ' 

Upon  arrival  in  United  States  from  Hawaii,  Captain  Harry  C.  Drayton  to 
Walter  Reed  General  Hospital  for  observation  and  treatment. 

1st  Lieut.  Edward  H.  White,  upon  completion  of  present  course  of  instruc- 
tion at  Advanced  Flying  School,  Kelly  Field,  to  Duncan  Field,  Texas. 

1st  Lieut.  Edgar  M.  Fogelsonger,  Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma,  to  Fort  Bragg,  N.C., 
for  duty  with  2nd  Balloon  Company. 

1st  Lieut.  James  T.  Hutchison  from  Letterman  General  Hospital  to  Walter 
Reed  General  Hospital  for  observation  and  treatment. 

1st  Lieut.  Ralph  A.  Suavely,  Kelly  Field,..  Texas,  to  Rockwell  Field,  Galif, , 
effective  September  1,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  John  A.  Samford,  Fort  Crockett,  Texas,'  to  Air  Corps  Training 
Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas. 

2nd  Lieut.  Ifeurice  C.  Bisson,  Kelly  Field,  to  Langley  Field,  Va. 

1st  Lieut.  James  C.  Cluck,  Office  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  to  Detroit , Mich. , 
for  duty  as  Procurement  Planning  Representative  of  the  ..Air  Corps,  August  29,1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  James  W.  McCauley.,.  Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma,  to  Air  Corps  Training 
Center,.  Duncan  Field,  Texas,  August  15,  1930. 

Reserve  Officers  ordered  to  extended  active  duty:  July  2 to  December  31,30 
2nd  Lieut.  Charles  Frederick  Scott,  Farmingdale,  L.I.,  New  York,  to  Self ridge 
Field,  Mich.  - 2nd  Lieut.  Wm.  Warner  Caldwell,  Oakland,  Calif.,  to  Rockwell 
Field,  Calif.  - 2nd  Lieut.  Robert  K.  Urban,  Abilene,  Texas,  to  Rockwell  Field, 
Calif.,  - 2nd  Lieut.  Harry  W.  Fowler,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  to  Dodd  Field,  Fort 
Sam  Houston,  Texas,  - 2nd  Lieut.  Wm.  Groen,  Jr.,  Whittier,  Calif.,  to  Rockwell 
Field,  - 2nd  Lieut.  Sheldon  B.  Yoder,  Almont,  Mich.,  to  Self  ridge  Field,  Mich.  - 
2nd  Lieut.  Horace  J.  Reid,'  Pilger,  Neb.,  to  Selfridge  Field,  Mich.,  - 2nd  Lieut. 
Carl  Brewer  Fry,  Pasadena,  Calif.,  to  Rockwell  Field;  June,  29  to  Dec.  27  ,1930  - 
2nd  Lieut.  Henry  Bishop  Fisher,  San  Francises  Calif • , to  .Grissy  Field,  Calif,,  - 
2nd  Lieut.  Jam^s  H.  Gray,  Champaign,  111.,  to  Selfridge  Field,  Mich.  - 2nd  Lieut. 
Willard  J.  Venen,  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  to  Langley  Field,  Va. ; June  15 , 1 30  to  June  14 
1931  - 2nd  Lieut.  George  Raymond  Cullman,  Jersey  City,  N.J. , to  Mitchel  Field, 
New  York;  July  6,  1930  to  June  30,  1951:  2nd  Lieut.  William  Russell  Bradford, 
Bonham,  Texas,  to  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas. 

Relieved  from  Detail  to  the  Air  Cores:  2nd  Lieut.  Harlan  C.  Parks  to  the 
Hawaiian  Department  for  duty  with  the  Coast  Artillery  Corps. 

2nd  Lieut.  George  R.  Evans  to  Infantry,  2nd  DIv. , Fort  Sam  Houston, Texas. 

Detailed  to  the  Air  Corns  and  to  Primary  Flying  School,  Brooks  Field, Texas, 

not  later  than  July  1,  1950,  for  training;  2nd  Lieut,  Raymond  E.  Bell,  Infantry; 
2nd  Lieut.  Howard  Q.  Huglin,  Field  Artillery. 

Promotions;  Lieut .-Colonel  Ira  F.  Fravel  to  Colonel,  rank  from  May  14,1930. 

Major  Jacob  E.  Fickel  to  Lieut. -Colonel , rank  from  May  14,  1930. 

Major  Rush  B.  Lincoln  to  Lieut. -Colonel,  rank  from  May  21,  1930. 

1st  Lieut.  John  M.  Clark  to  Captain,  rank  from  May  25,  1930. 

1st  Lieut.  Rowland  C.W.  Blessley  to  Captain,  rank  from  May  27,  1930. 

1st  Lieut.  Arthur  Thomas  to  Captain,  rank  from  May  29,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  William  D.  Old  to  1st  Lieutenant,  rank  from  May'  15,  1930, 

2nd  Lieut,  Elmer  T.  Rundcuist  to  1st  Lieutenant,  rank  from  May  21,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  David  M.  Ramsay 'to  1st  Lieutenant,  rank  from  May  27,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  Harold  G.  Peterson  to  1st  Lieutenant,  rank  from  May  29,  1930. 

“188-  V-6058,  A. C. 


Promotions  (Continued) 

2nd  Lieut.  George  F.  Schulgen  to  1st  Lieutenant,  rank  from  May  31,  1930. 
2nd  Lieut.  Otto  P.  Weyland  to  1st  Lieutenant,  rank  from  June  2,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  Reginald  R.  Gillespie  to  1st  Lieutenant,  rank  from  June  7,1930. 
2nd  Lieut.  Ivirtley  J.  Gregg  to  1st  Lieutenant,  rank  from  June  10,  1930. 
Resignation:  2nd  Lieutenant  Sidney  John  Nelson. 

oOo 


march  field  students  GRADUATE  TO  A.F.S. 


June  27,  1930,  marked  the  graduation  from  the  Primary  Flying  School  at 
March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif.,  of  19  student  officers,  who  were  ordered  to 
the  Advanced  Flying  School  at  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  to  take  the  advanced  course, 
viz : 

Second  Lieutenants 


Donald  W.  Armagost,  Cavalry 

Harold  H.  Bassett,  Corps  of  Engineers 

Roger  J.  Browne,  Cavalry 

Melie  J.  Coutlee , Infantry 

Roy  G.  Cuno,  Infantry 

Rudolph  Fink,  Coast  Artillery  Corps 

John  C.  Horton,  Field  Artillery 

William  E.  Karnes,  Cavalry 

Donald  J.  Keirn,  Field  Artillery 

Robert  M.  Kraft 
oOo- 


Jerald  W.  McCoy,  Infantry 
Phineas  J.  Morrill,  Infantry 
Pearl  H.  Robey,  Infantry 
Marshall  S.  Roth,  Q,.M.  Corps. 

Dwight  B.  Schannep,  Field  Artillery 
Charles  Sommers,  Signal  Corps. 

Keene  Watkins , Infantry . 

Emery  S.  Wetzel,  Field  Artillery. 
Don  Z.  Zimmerman,  Corps  Engineers 
Field  Artillery 


PROMOTION  OF  ENLISTED  MEN  OF  THE  AIR  CORPS 


The  following  noncommissioned  officers  of  the  Air  Corps  recently  received 
promotions : 

To  Master  Sergeant 

Technical  Sergeant  Alvan  Killgore,  41st  School  Squadron,  Kelly  Field,  Texas. 
Technical  Sergeant  Arvin  E.  Miller,  19th  Airship  Company,  Langley  Field,  Va. 
Technical  Sergeant  Vernon  H.  lifer  son,  20th  Photo  Section,  Langley  Field,  Va. 
Technical  Sergeant  Edwin  B.  Woodward,  52nd  School  Squadron,  Brooks  Field, Texas. 
Technical  Sergeant  Emil  E.  LaLonde,  17th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Self ridge  Field. 

To  Technical  Sergeant 

Staff  Sergeant  [Thomas  R.  Harmon,  90th  Attack  Squadron,  Fort  Crockett,  Texas. 
Staff  Sergeant  Andrew  F.  Hygaard,  13th  Attack  Squadron,  Fort  Crockett,.  Texas. 
Staff  Sergeant  Estes  Lamb,  8th  Attack  Squadron,  Fort  Crockett,  Texas. 

Staff.  Sergeant  Archie  L.  Ferguson,  Marshall  Field,  Fort  Riley,  Kansas. 

Staff . Sergeant  Albert  G.  Junkert,  March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif. 

Staff  Sergeant  James  C.  Arnold,  95th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Rockwell  Field,  Calif. 
Staff  Sergeant  Frank  J.  Siebenaler,  66th  Service  Squadron,  Philippines. 

Staff  Sergeant  Leamon  V.  Ward,  22nd  Observation  Squadron,  Maxwell  Field,  Ala. 
Staff  Sergeant  Edgar  J.  Raymond,  91st  Observation  Squadron,  Crissy  Field, Calif. 
Staff  Sergeant  John  P.  O’ Callaghan,  20th  Photo  Section,  Brooks  Field,  Texas. 
Staff  Sergeant  John  R.D.  Wallace,  52nd  School  Squadron,  Brooks  Field,  Texas. 
Staff  Sergeant  Hugh  J.  Marth,  17th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Self ridge  Field,  Mich. 

oOo 


RETIREMENT  OF  AIR  CORPS  ENLISTED  MEN 

The  following  noncommissioned  officers  of  the  Air  Corps  were  recently 
placed  upon  the  retired  list; 

.Master  Sergeant  Edward  Ward,  20th  Photo  Section,  Brooks  Field,  Texas. 
Master  Sergeant  Hjelmar  Ekman,  53rd  School  Squadron,  March  Field,  Calif. 
Master  Sergeant  Patrick  Foy,  17th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Self ridge  Field, 

Mich.,,  after  37  years*  service. 

Master  Sergeant  James  B.  Premo,  41st  School  Squadron, , Kelly  Field,  Texas. 

oOo 

The  enlisted  strength  of  the  Army  Air  Corps  on  April  30,  1930  (last  avail- 
able figures)  was  11,935,  including  292  Flying  Cadets. 

-189- 


V~6058,A. C. 


ADVANCED  FLYING  SCHOOL  GRADUATES  95  STUDENTS 


Graduation  exercises  of  the  June,  1930,  Class  of  the  Advanced  Flying  School 
at  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  were  held  on  June  21st  at  the  Air  Corps  Training  Center, 
the  class  consisting  of  16  officers  of  the  Regular  Army,  one  officer  of  the 
Colombian  Army,  77  Flying  Cadets  and  one  noncommissioned  officer.  These  95 
graduates  are  divided  among  the  special  branches  of  aviation,  as  follows; 

Attack,  18;  Bombardment,  15;  Observation,  22;  Pursuit,  40. 

The  graduating  class  ^anticipated  in  the  Randolph  Field  dedication  on  June 

20th. 

The  Flying  Cadets  were  discharged  on  June  23rd,  having  been  awarded  com- 
missions as  2nd  Lieutenants  in  the  Air  Corps  Reserve.  Those  accepting  extended 
active  duty  ‘proceeded  to  the  stations  to  which  they  were  assigned  on  the  follow- 
ing day.  Altogether,  59  Flying  Cadets  received  orders  to  active  duty  under 
their  status  as  Reserve  officers,  and  were  assigned  to  stations,  as  follows; 

3 to  Marshall  Field,  Fort  Riley,  Kansas;  5 to  Mhxwell  Field,  Montgomery,  Ala.; 

10  to  Fort  Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas;  6 to  Langley  Field,  Va. ; 11  to  Selfridge 
Field,  Mt . Clemens,  Mich.;  6 to  Post  Field,  Fort  Sill,  Okla. ; 4 to  Crissy  Field, 
Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Calif.;  8 to  Rockwell  Field  Coronado,  Calif.;  3 to 
Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas,  and  3 to  Mitchel  Field,  Long  Island,  New  York. 

The  graduating  class  is  listed  below,  as  follows; 

Officers  of  the  Regular  Army 

2nd  Lieutenant  James  E.  Briggs,  Field  Artillery,  Rochester,  New  York. 

" James  K.  DeArmond,  Signal  Corps,  Butler,  Missouri. 

11  Fay  0.  Dice,  Air  Corps,  Kewanee,  Illinois. 

" Robert  L.  Easton,  Field  Artillery,  Eugene,  Oregon. 

" John  F.  Egan,  Air  Corps,  New  York  City. 

" Laurence  S.  Kuter,  Field-Artillery,  Rockford,  Illinois. 

” David  P.  Laubech,  Corps  of  Engineers,  Easton,  Pa. 

" Richard  P.  0* Keefe,  Field  Artillery,  Marshall , Michigan. 

11  John  W.  Persons,  Air  Corps,  Montgomery,  Ala. 

" William  L.  Ritchie,  Field  Artillery,  Helena,  Arkansas. 

" William  C.  Sams,  Jr.,  Infantry,  Meridian,  Miss. 

" Delma  T.  Spivey,  Infantry,  Whaleyville,  Virginia. 

" Fred  0.  Talley,  Infantry,  Council  Grove,  Kansas. 

" Edward  H.  White,  Air  Corps,  Fort  Wayne , Indiana. 

11  Otto  Wienecke,  Air  Corps,  New  York  City. 


Murray  C.  Woodbury,  Air  Corps, 
Flying  Cadets 


Burlington,  Vermont. 


Joseph  A.  Anderson, 
Joe  Shirley  Anderson, 
Paul  S . Baker , 

John  Bonnell, 

Claude  E.  Brignall , 
Joe  C.  Britton, 

Eugene  D.  Blake  ney, 
Lawrence  T.  Broeran, 
Vernon  M.  Byrne, 
Frank  P,  Bo  strom, 
Willis  G.  Carter, 
Edgar  G. Carlisle, Jr. 
William  B.  Clements, 
Ralston  L.  Crew 
Robt.  P.  Doolittle, 
Cornelius  K.  Dunbar, 
Lawrence  A.  Duncan, 
Harold  W.  Fairchild, 
Marshall  H.  Fay, 
James  A.  Fisk, 

Harry  B.  Fleming, 
Faun  W, Freeborn, Jr. 
Eldred  L.  Gann, 

Ralph  J.  Gibbons, 
James  N.  Going, 
Jonathan  E.  Grasty, 
Harlow  B.  Grow, 


San  Diego,  Calif. 
Honea  Path,  S.C. 
Wollaston,  Mass. 
Chicago,  111. 
Chicago,  111. 

Enid,  Oklahoma.. 
Chapel  Kill,  N.C. 
Portland,  Oregon. 
Sarinemin,  111. 
Bangor,  Maine. 
College  Station, Tex, 
Wayne,  Pa. 

Durand,  Ga. 

Kern  Creek,  Nevada. 
South  Bend,  Ind. 
Cincinnati,  0. 
Tuscaloosa,  Ala. 
Cambridge , Mas  s . 
Winchester,  Mass. 

San  Diego,  Calif. 
Weleetka,  Oklahoma. 
Pi  che  r , Oklahoma . 
Bairden , Kansas. 
Walla  Walla,  Wash. 
Topeka,  Kansas. 
Austin,  Texas . 

Sandy,  Utah. 


Philip  1.  Hatch,  New  Haven,  Mass. 
Robert  J.  Hixon , Greencastle,  Ind. 
Robt . W.  Humphreys  , Keithsburg,  111 . 


Lloyd  E.  Hunt, 
Francis  I.  Jacobs, 
Claris  E.  Johnson, 
Francis  X.  Kelly, 
Edward  F.  Kiessig, 
J. David  Kreysler, 
Winston  W.  Kratz, 
George  C.  Kruse, 
Harold  A.Lidster , 
Chas.  H.Leitner, Jr. 
Richard  M.McGlinn, 
Chas.  T.  Maxwell , 
Davenport  Mechem, 
Chas.  H.  Miller, 
Laddie  J.  Miller, 


Cincinnati , Ohio . 
Cincinnat i , Ohio . 
Champaign,  111. 
Washington , D. C. 
San  Diego , Calif. 
Redlands,  Calif. 
Louisville,  Ky. 
Urbana,  111. 
Nashville , Tenn . 
Spartanburg, S.C. 

S .Bellingham, Wash 
Indianapolis , Ind. 
Los  Cruces,  N.M. 
Lexington,  Ky. 
Oakland,  Calif. 


Austin  S.Merrifield, Venice, Calif . 


Kenneth  W.  Mosher, 
Russell  W.  Munson, 
Reginald  L. Needham, 
Orville  L . Oakes , 
Wallace  0! Daniels  , 
Herbert  A.  Orr, 

Olof  P.  Pierson, 

J. Morris  Pincomfc, 


-190- 


Sandwich,  111. 
Laramie,  Wyoming, 
Lorena,  Texas. 
Tucson,  Arizona. 
Seattle,  Wash. 
North  Adams .Mass. 
Boston,  Mass. 
Overland  Pk,  Kans. 
V-6058,  A.C. 


Howard  R.  Poppen, 
Carl  E.  Becknagcl, 
Robert  S.  Riley, 
George  E.  Rodieck 
Lloyd  L.  Sailor, 
John  E.  Sandow, 

Wm.  H.  Sherwood, 
James  Hudson  Smart, 
Curtis  E. Smith, Jr, 
Prank  LeRoy  Smith, 
William  H.  Sykes, Jr. 
Thomas  L.  Saylor, 


Peoria,  111. 
Springfield,  0. 
Worcester,  Maes. 
San  Antonio,  Tex. 
Champaign,  111 . 
Amherst,  Mass, 
Waterford,  Pa. 
Tucson,  Arizona. 
Augusta , Ga* 

Mt .Airy,  H.C. 
Blacks burg, Va. 
Columbia,  S.C. 


R.  Milo  Thornton, 
Ashby  H.  Toulmin, 
Lester  E.  Wagner, 
Byron  Q,.  Van  Cott, 
Louis  S.  Wait, 

Paul  Waterman, 
Felix  Waitkus, 
William  R.  White, 
Francis  A.  Wilgas, 
Clifton  D.  Wright, 
Stanley  J.  Young, 


Los  Angeles,  Calif. 
Mobile,  Ala. 

St.  Paul,  Minn. 

Salt  Lake  City,  Utah, 
Superior,  Nebraska. 
Providence,  R.I. 
Chicago,  111. 
Indianapolis,  Ind, 
Rockford,  111. 

Rock  Hill,  S.C, 
Oshkosh,  Wis. 


noncommissioned  Officer,  A.C. 

Staff  Sergeant  Maurice  M.  Beach,  San  Antonio,  Texas. 

Foreign  Officer 

Henri que  Santa- Maria,  Colombian  Army. 

As  is  customary,  sometime  before  graduation  the  students  made  a long  cross- 
country flight.  On  May  26th,  a flight  of  10  Bombardment  students  in  five  LB-5 
Airplanes,  left  Kelly  Field  and  returned  on  May  31st.  The  flight  was  accompanied 
by  1st  Lieut.  R.  A. ‘Suavely  and  2nd  Lieut.  H.R.  Baxter.  Muskogee,  Oklahoma,  wa s 
visited  on  the  26th,  the  date  the  field  was  dedicated  by  the  Secretary  of  War. 

The  night  of  the  27th  was  spent  at  Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma.  Due  to  inclement  weather 
a stop  was  made  overnight  at  Midland,  Texas,  on  May  28th.  The  next  overnight 
stop  was  at  El  Paso,  Texas. 

The  Observation  Section  cleared  Kelly  Field  on  May  28th  with  16  planes.  The 
flight  was  composed  of  24  students,  3 instructors  and  3 enlisted  mechanics.  The 
personnel  were  guests  of  the  City  of  Pine  Bluff,  Arkansas,  on  the  night  of  the 
28th.  The  committee  in  charge  of  arrangements  in  that  city  provided  an  enter- 
taining evening.  The  next  day  a flight  was  made  to  Fort  Sill,  and  on  the  30th 
the  flight  continued  to  El  Paso.  The  section  returned  to  Kelly  Field  on  June  1st 

It  may  be  remarked  that  through  one  of  those  strange  coincidences  which 
happen  now  and  then,  the  number  of  students  graduating  from  the  Advanced  Flying 
School  on  February  27th  last  (95)  was  the  same  as  the  number  graduating  on 
June  21st.  Since  October,  1928,  a total  of  560  students  graduated  from  the 
Advanced  Flying  School,  itemized  as  follows;  October,  1928,  63;  February,  1929, 
85;  June,  1929,  103;  October,  1929,  119;  February,  1930,  95;  June,  1930,  95. 


oOo — - 


HEW  EQUIPMENT  FOR  THE  AIR  CORPS 


Contracts  for  new  airplanes,  engines,  and  accessories,  involving  an  expendi- 
ture of  $11,299,978.97,  were  recently  approved  by  the  War  Department.  Under  the 
outlay  of  the  sum  above  mentioned,  the  Air  Corps  will  secure  in  the  near  future 
402  airplanes  with  spare  parts  end  1004  engines  with  spare  parts.  The  purchase 
of  this  equipment  for  the  Air  Corps  will  be  paid  for  out  of  the  funds  made  avail- 
able by  the  1931  Army  Appropriation  Bill,  which  was  approved  by  the  President 
on  May  23th. 

The  Douglas  Company,  of  Santa  Monica,  Calif. , was  awarded  a contract  for 
$2,221  ..633.30,  covering  146  Model  BT-2B  Basic  Training  airplanes  with  spare  parts 
and  44  Model  0-38  Observation  airplanes  with  spare  parts. 

The  contract  totalling  $1,543,183.90,  awarded  the  Boeing  Airplane  Company, 
Seattle,  Washington,  covers  131  Model  P-12C  Pursuit  planes  with  spare  parts. 

Under  its  contract  with  the  Air  Corps,  the  Thomas- Morse  Aircraft  Corporation 
Buffalo,  Hew  York,  is  to  construct  71  Model  0-19C  Observation  planes,  with  spare 
parts,  at  a total  cost  of  $1,018,126.20. 

For  the  total  sum  of  $437,832.65,  the  Sikorsky  Aviation  Corporation  of 
Bridgeport,  Conn.,  under  its  contract,  will  construct  for  the  Air  Corps  ten 
Sikorsky  Amphibian  airplanes,  with  spare  parts. 

A contract  for  128  ,f Cyclone”  engines,  Model  R-1750,  with  spare  parts,-  amoui 
ihg  to  $742,643.13,  was  awarded  the  Wright  Aeronautical  Corporation  of  Paterson, 


H.J. 

The  Pratt  & Whitney  Aircraft  Co.,  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  received  a Contract 
for  $3, 802, 763 „ 32,  covering  684  t!Wasp,”  450  horsepower  engines  and  spare  parts, 
and  the  Curtiss  Aeroplane  and  Motor  Company  received  one  for  $1,533,796.27, 
covering  40  Model  D-12~.11,  420  horsepower  engines  and  spare  parts,  and  152  Model 
V-1570,  600  horsepower  engines  and  spare,  parts.  Included  among  the  7-1570  type 
of  engines  are  some  geared  and  supercharged  types.  V-6058,  A.C. 


FLYING  INSTRUCTORS  SCHOOL  IN  SESSION  AT  KELLY  FIELD 


With  an  enrollment  of  27  students,  the  Air  Corps’s  annual  flying  instruc- 
tors' school  opened  at  Kelly  Field  on  June.  1st.  Lieut.  Robert  D.  Knapp,  Air 
Corps,  of 'Brooks  Field,  Texas,  ms  designated  Director  of  the  school  during  the 
• 30- day  period  of  the  course. 

Training. and  qualification  of  officers  as  instructors  at  Brooks-,  Kelly  and 
March  fields  is  the  purpose  of  the  school.  ..Special  emphasis  is  given  to  main- 
tenance of  uniform  methods  odd  standards  of  training  in  the  Primary  Flying- 
Schools  at  Brooks  and  March  fields. 

— -oOo 

A .NEW  - HOLE- IN-  ONE-OLUB 

A new  kind  of  hole- In- one- club  was  organized  by  two  Mitchel  Field  flyers, 
Lieuts.  Lorry  Tindal  and  "Sadie"  Steed  - a sort  of  a land  ’em  on  the  fairway  and 
approach  the  green  with  a tire  game.  Of  course,  you  must  conform  strictly  to 
rules,  and  it  is  only  after  diligent  practice  at  ground-looping  and  throwing  that 
tire  high,  wide  and  handsome  for  a perfect  pitch  shot  to  the  green  that  you  can 
qualify  for  membership  in. this  club.  Then,  too,  the  handicaps  are  all  pretty 
high  as  yet,  but  the  players  are  heading  doggedly  towards  scratch  - only  one  . - 
Scratch. 

To  present  the  story  to  you  truthfully,  these  two  men,  enroute  to  Mitchel 
from  Camp  Dix,  were  forced  down  low  by  fog.  After  barging  up  the  Hudson  to  no 
avail  in  an  endeavor  to  circle  the  "soupy"  weather,  they  gave  up  the  ghost  and 
decided  to  land.  Pelham  Bay  Golf  Course  loomed  up  under  them  and  they  decided 
to  put  it  down.  Steed  went  in  first  and  was  forced  to  ground-loop  to  keep  from 
running  into  some  trees.  In  doing  so  a -portion  of  the  landing  gear  parted 
company  with  the  plane.  The  flyers  were  heartily  welcomed  with  shouts  of  "Fore, " 
and  were  well  taken  care  of  until  the  necessary  repairs  were  made.  " 

' -j-  •"  . — oOo— - 

NEW  AIEPORT  DEDICATED  AT  LOS  ANGELES';  CALIF.  ' 

The  new  Los  Angeles  Municipal  Airport,  formerly  Mines  Field,  near  Inglewood, 
was  dedicated  June  7th  and  8th.  This  airport,  was  the  site  of  the  1928  National 
Air  Races.  Army  Observation,  Pursuit  and  Bombardment  planes,  Navy  and  ferine 
Corps,  National  Guard  planes  were  represented,  also  planes  from  the  Primary 
Flying  School  at  March  Field.  Altogether,  tiie  two-day  celebration  was  a large 
affair.  The  40th  Division  Aviation  from  Griffith  Park,  Los  Aigeles , sent vover 
seven  ships,  of  which  number  five  02* s put  on  a short  formation  flight.  The 
Adjutant  General  of  California,  General  Mitt els taedt,  representing  the  Governor, 
flew  over  with  the  Guardsmen;  and  delivered, an' address.  The  Goodyear  Blimp 
"Volunteer"  was  the  kick  of  the  show,  as  it  dropped  down  within  speaking  distance, 
jettisoned  some  f lowers ,. then  placidly  set  down. 

— -oOo— 

RESERVE  OFFICERS  LOSE  LIVES  IN  AIRPLANE  CRASH 

Captain  Albert  E.  Flood  and  Lieut.  .Benjamin,  Berkowitz,  flying  together  In  a 
PT  -plane  from  Mitchel  Field,  were  both  instantly  killed  on  Sunday, "June-  29th, 
when  their  plane  crashed  between  the  Meadpwbrook  and  the  Salisbury  Country  Clubs, 
only  a few  hundred  yards  from  the  edge  of  the  Army  airdrome. 

They  had  been  aloft  about  a half  hour  on  a training  flight  and  were  coming 
out  of  a spiral  when,  it  is  believed,  their  motor  quit  and,  to  avoid  crashing  into 
the  crowds  of  golfers  on  the  links  nearby,  they  stretched  their  glide,  causing  the 
plane  to  fall  off  and  spin  into  the  ground.  The  customary  Board  of  Investigation, 
appointed  soon  after  the  accident  happened,  will  no  doubt  discover  the  actual 
cause  of  the  tragedy  as  nearly  as  it  is  -possible  to  do  so. 

Both  officers  were  Group  I pilots,  and  both  were  the  most  active  of  the 
"inactive"  status  Air  Corps  Reserve  pilots  in  the  2nd  Corps  Area,  rarely  missing  a 
Sunday  or  one  other  day  in  the  week  when  they  were  not  out  for  their  flying  at 
Mitchel  Field. 

Captain  Flood  was  an  assistant  principal  of  a New  York  school,  and  Lieut. 
Berkowitz  was  in  the  real  estate  business  in  the  city.  The  former  had  been  a 

-192-  V-6058 , A.C. 


cadet  colonel  of  his  class  at  Princeton  Ground  School,  where  he  received  his 

XI’WVnnH  +*  "I  "n  Ti*4  rim  *!•>  O*  -v\  1 of  ti-n  ■wn*  A v>  r-<+  V»I1  «4»  A A *v»  -P'1  tt»?  m n>  «-»  4-  /N-V'X  r*  /+.  -P 


ground  training  during  the  War,  later  receiving  instruction  in  flying  at  one  of 
the.  southern  flying  fields  and  subsequently  being  placed  on  duty  as  flying 
instructor.  He  was  lately  promoted  to  Captain  in  the  Air  Corps  He serve, 

Lieut.  Berkowltz  saw  flying  service  overseas,  where  he  was  a Pursuit  pilot. 
Both  officers  were  neighbors  in  the  Bronx  and  inseparable  comrades  in  life,  even 
as  they  were  in  death.  Their  tragic  fate  will  leave  a deep  and  lasting  impression 
in  the  Air  Corps,  as  they  had  a host  of  friends  both  among  the  Regular  and  Reserve 
•personnel . 


0O0 


CONGRATULATIONS  FOR  MS  ATLANTIC  FLYERS 


Recognizing  the  splendid  achievement  of  Captain  Charles  Kingsford  Smith, 
pilot  of  the  airplane  ’'Southern  Cross,"  in  negotiating  the  most  difficult  flight 
across  the  Atlantic,  east  to  west,  the  Hon.  F.  Trubee  Davison,  Assistant  Secre- 
tary of  War  for  Aeronautics,  forwarded  to  him  the  following  message: 

"Hearty  congratulations  on  the  splendid  airmanship  of  yourself  and  your 
associates  in  piloting  the  Southern  Cross  to  the  United  States.  In  the  success- 
ful completion  of  your  flight  you  have  made  a new  and  important  entry  in  the 
international  oceanic  airways  log.  Your  i^ioneering  effort  has  won  world- wide 
acclaim  and  admiration." 

Major-General  James  E.  Fechet,  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  forwarded  the  follow- 
ing message  to  the  flier  who  just  added  the  Atlantic  Ocean  flight  to  his  conquest  j 
of  the  Pacific  two  years  ago: 

"The  United  States  Army  Air  Corps  salutes  your  splendid  attainment  and 
welcomes  the  Southern  Cross  on  its  return  to  American  soil.  Congratulations  tc 
yourself  and  crew," 

The  members  of  the  crew  on  the  Southern  Cross  on  this  epoch-making  flight 
were  Evert  Van  Dyk,  whom  Captain  Kingsford- Smith  called  the  "Flying  Dutchman;" 
Captain  J.  Patrick  Saul,  the  Irish  navigator,  whom  he  called  Paddy,  and  "Little 
Johnny  S tannage , " the  Australian  wireless  operator. 


0O0 


RETIREMENT  OF  MASTER  SERGEANT  WARD 


After  28  years  and  seven  months  of  active  service,  Master  Sergeant  Edward 


Ward,  20th  Photo  Section,  Air  Corps,  Brooks  Field,  Texas,  was  placed  on  the 
retired  list. 

Sergeant  Ward  first  enlisted  in  the  Coast  Artillery  August  26,  1901.  He 
went  with  the  Signal  Corps  Nov,  17,  1904,  and  served  with  that  branch  of  the 
service  until  August  24,  1917,  when  he  was  commissioned  a First  Lieutenant. 
Following  his  discharge  from  the  service,  because  of  the  expiration  of  the  World 
War  emergency,  he  reenlisted  with  the  Air  Corps  on  November  1,  1919,  and  bas 
served  therewith  until  the  date  of  his  retirement. 

For  the  past  eleven  years  Sergeant  Ward  was  in  charge  of  photographic  labo- 
ratories and  instructed  in  photography.  The  orders  announcing  his  retirement 
expressed  the  devotion  and  loyalty  which  marked  Sergeant  Ward’s  service  in  the 
Army.  The  Sergeant  also  holds  a commission  as  Captain  in  the  Signal  Corps 
Reserve, 


— oOo 


NOTES  FROM  AIR  CORPS  FIELDS 
— *oOo 

Nichols  Field,  Rizal,  P.I.t 

28th  Bombardment  Squadron:  The  usual  exodus  of  vacationists,  seeking  to 
avoid  the  hot  weather,  took  place  this  month,  with  Baguio  in  the  lead  as  the 
most  popular  resort.  Among  those  leaving  were  Capt.  Brock  and  family,  Lieut. 
Phillips  and  family,  Lieut,  and  Mrs.  Steel,  and  a large  representation  of  en- 
listed personnel. 

Despite  the  fact  that  the  Inter-Squadron  Basketball  league  is  not  yet  under 
way,  our  Squadron  team  played  several  games  with  fast  teams  in  and  around  Manila. 
Among  the  teams  we  have  met  were  the  fast  Philippine  Olympics,  and  the  strong 
Sternberg  Hospital  five.  From  present  indications,  our  court  men  will  take  the 
Post  Cup  for  the  fourth  consecutive  season. 

Ed  Observation  Squadrons  The  Squadron  has  not  yet  fully  completed  the  an- 
nual aerial  gunnery  season,  the  phases  on  aerial  tow  targets  still  remaining 
to  be  fired.  The  leading  scorers  on  the  ground  targets  are  Lieut.  Shea  with  216 
bombing  and  638  machine  guns,  and  Capt.  Giles,  with  175  bombing  and  650  machine 
guns. 

On  April  22d  Major  Harms,  Lieuts.  Grisham,  McDonnell,  Backes  and  Nowland , 
with  three  mechanics,  Sgts.  Smith,  Podolski  and  Pust,  took  off  in  three  Loening 
Amphibians  on  a tour  of  the  Southern  Islands,  expecting  to  be  gone  a week  or 
teii'  days. 

Headquarters  Detachment,  4th  Composite  Group!  Organization  Day  was  cele- 
brated. by  a picnic  at  the  Malabon  Reservoir,  and  a good  time  was  had  by  all. 

The  Inter-Squadron  Duck-Pin  Tournament  is  again  well  under  way,  the  Head- 
quarters team  being  third  from  the  top. 

On  April  16th  Nichols  Field  lost  a boll  game  to  the  Post  of  Manila.  It 
started  out  to  be  a very  close  game  until  Willmer,  1st  baseman  of  Nichold  Field, 
was  sent  to  the  bench,  and  in  one  inning  the  Post  of  Manila  gained  enough  to 
win  the  game.  On  April  22a,  the  Nichols  Field  ball  team  travelled  via  recon- 
naissance bus  to  Ft.  Stotsenburg  for  a double  header.  The  team  split  even,  the 
first  game  being  won  5-1  and  the  second  lost  by  the  same  score.  Warrant  Officer 
Jackson,  formerly  of  Selfridge  Field,  is  coaching  the  team  the  last  half  of  the 
season  and  is  doing  very  good  work. 

During  the  month  two  games  were  played  with  the  ball  team  which  will  repre- 
sent the  Philippines  in  the  coming  Oriental  Olympics  to  be  held  in  Japan  this 
month.  This  team  is  composed  of  the  native  players  throughout  the  Islands. 

Nichols  lost  both  games. 

The  Post  Theatre  acquired  an  amplifier  unit  and  each  show  is  enlivened  by 
the  playing  of  marches,  jazz  and  classical  selections.  It  is  expected  that  work 
will  be  started  soon  on  the  installation  of  a Sound  outfit,  which  will  prove 
most  welcome.  The  booking  of  silent  pictures  has  now  become  quite  a problem* 

The  Post  Library  recently  received  a new  traveling  library  and  reading 
interest  has  been  revived. 

Interest  in  the  golf  course  has  slumped  a bit,  due  to  the  hot  season. 

40th  Div.  Aviation,  Calif.  Nat*l  Guard.  Griffith  Park  Airport,  Los  Angeles,  Calif. 

Capt,.  H.M.  Elmendorf,  G.O.,  of  the  S5th, Pursuit  Squadron  stationed  at  Rock- 
well Field,  Coronado,  Calif . recently  dropped  in  for  an  over-night  stop,  pro- 
ceeding to  his  home  station  the  next  day.  The  95th*s  P-12's  are  becoming  more 
familiar  at  this  post,  and  are  always  welcome. 

Lieut.  John  Sewall,  of  the  115th  Observation  Squadron,  recently  aomplertwd 
a trip  via  air  to  Troy,  Ohio,  and  return  on  business  for  the  Waco'  Aircraft  Co., 
of  which  he  is  Western  Wholesale  Sales  Manager.  Leaving"  L.A.  via  T.A.T.  on  the 
morning  of  April  10th,  he  reached  Troy,  via  Kansas  City  and  Columbus,  on  the  12th, 
Eight  days  were  spent  at  the  factory,  and  Jack  reports  a real  thrill  from  the 
Taperwing -160  m.p.h.  The  return  trip  in  a Model  K-Kinner,  covered  several  busi- 
ness stops  on  the  way  and  was  completed  on  the  26th,  Lieut.  Sewall  is  still 
trying  to  get  over  the  fact  that,  instead  of  figuring  on  Douglas  0-2  gas  consump- 
tion, he  averaged  some  6-g-  gals,  per  hour  for  the  entire  2500  miles  back  to  the 
Coast * 

The  officers  of  this  Squadron  shot  the  practice  round  on  the  pistol  range 
on  May  25th,  and  the  record  course  on  June  8th.  Results  are  not  yet  compiled, 
but  it  is  hoped  that  most  of  the  officers  qualified, 

- 194  - 


V-6058, A.C 


Lieut.  John  Noe  of  this  organization  was  recently  added  to  the  pilot  staff 
of  Western  Air  Express.  That  makes  four  of  our  pilots  on  the  W.A.E.  payroll. 

Lieut.  Leonard  E.  Thomas  of  the  115th  Observation,  sailed  from  San- Francis- 
co, May  29th  on,  the  Matson  Line  for  a four  months’  trip  around  the  world.  The 
envy  of  his  departure  among  the  squadron  was  somewhat  lessened  by  his  farewell 
party  given  us . 

Boeing’s  United  Airport,  near  us,  was.  the  scene,  on  May  30th-31st  and  June 
1st,  of  an  elaborate  Dedicatory  program,  including  the  usual  civilian  events. 

The  Army  was  represented  by  Rockwell  Field  Pursuit  and  Bombardment. 

Now  that  the  perils  of  annual  inspections  for  the  year  are  over,  the 
thought  and  plans  of  the  Squadron  are  shaping  themselves  toward  summer  training 
camp  at  San  Luis  Obispo,  July  26th- August  9th.  The  various  Sections  have  turn- 
ed in  their  ideas  as  to  what  they  want  and  the  general  camp  sdhedule  is  com- 
pleted and  OKed.  , This  will  be  the  second  training  camp  at  which  we  have  the 
opportunity  of  working  with  the  other  branches,  and  from  the  lessons  learned 
last  year  we  hope  that  the  1930  camp  will  develop  a smoothness  and  cooperation 
which  can  come  only  with  actual  inter-branch  contact.  Anyway,  we  are  all  look- 
ing forward  to  an  experience  which  will  make  us  a more  useful  and  efficient 
outfit, 

San  Antonio  Air  Depot  , Duncan  Fields  San  An  to nio , Texas , June  17th s 

Major  Wilfred  M.  Blunt,  5th  Cavalry,  of  Fort  Clark,  Texas,  while  in  this  ' 
vicinity,  paid  a visit  to  the  San  Antonio  Air  Depot  on  the  afternoon  of  -May  27th 

1st  Lieut.  John  M.  Clark,  A.C.,  Depot  Supply  Officer  of  the  Fairfield  Air 
Depot,  Fairfield,  Ohio,  visited  this  Depot  May  27th  to  June  1st  on  temporary 
duty  for  a conference  on  the  storage  and  issue  of  supplies  at  Air  Corps  Depots. 
Lieut,  olark  renewed  old  acquaintances , having  formerly  been  on  duty  at  this 
Depot  and  at  Kelly  Field  for  several  years.  5 ' 

1st  Lieut.  Jack  Greer  and  Edward  M.  Robbins,  A.C.,  of  Rockwell  Field Calif . 
were  visitors  at  this  Depot,  June  2d  to  4th,  arriving  by  rail  and  ferrying' two 
PT-3A#s 'back  to  the  Rockwell  Air  Depot. 

1st  Lieut.  Lucas  V.  Beau,  Jr.,  Air  Corps  Instructor  with  the  45th  Division 
Aviation,  Colo.  National  Gua.rd , at  Denvei,  arrived  here  June  5th  and  left  on  the 
6th,  ferrying,  an  02-H  for  delivery  to  the  Colorado  National  Guard. 

On  June  5th  the  Depot  had  the  honor  of  a visit  from  Col.  Francisco  J. 
Aguilar,  Military  Attache  to  the  Mexican  Embassy,  while  on  a series  of  visits 
to  the  Army  Service  Schools  of  the  United  States  for  the  purpose  of  making 
a study  of  the  educational  system  of  our  Army*  lie  was  in  this  vicinity  in  order 
to  visit  the  Air  Corps  Primary  and  Advanced  Flying  Schools.  Colonel  Aguilar, 
who  was  accompanied  on  his  visit  to  the  Depot  by  Brig. -Gen era!  F.pT  Lahm,  .Com- 
manding General  of  The  Air  Corps  Training  Center,  appeared  deeply  interested  in 
and  appreciative  of  the  many  and  varied  workings  of  the  Air  Corps  maintenance 
engineering  system  as  manifested  at  this  depot. 

A pleasant  informal  visit  was  received  by  the  Depot  on  June  13th  from  Hr'. 
R.Do  Sundell,  Divisional  Engineer  at  Brownsville,  Texas,  of  the  Compania  Mexi- 
cana  de  Aviacion,  S.A.,  of  Mexico  City,  who  discussed  matters-  of  genera.1  aero- 
nautical interest  and • was  interested  in  viewing  the  operations  of  the  Depot's 
engineering  shops. 

The  following  "airplanes  and  engines  were  overhauled  and  repaired  *by  the 
Engineering  Department  of  this  Depot  during  the  month  of  Mav:- 

Air planes  s Overhaul  - 1 C-l,  2 DH-4M-1,  4 DH-4M-2T,  l” 02-H,  2 Pl-A,  1 
Pl.-D,  1 Pl-E,  2 BT-1,  3 PT-3,  9 PT-3A,  Total  26.  Miscellaneous  Repair:  3 A-3, 

1 A-3A,  1 A-3B,  1 LB-5,  1 LB-5A,  1 C-7,  2 C-9,  3 01-E,  2 02,  1 02-C,  5 02-H., 

1 02-M3,  1 03-B,  1 0-19B,  1 PU-9,  2 PW-9C , 3.  PW-9D,  1 PT-3,  1 PT-3A , 1 NS, 

Total  33".  Assembly  Jobss  3 PT-3A. 

Engines:  Major  Overhaul  - 24  Curtiss  D-12,  21  Wright  J-5,  Total  45.  Minor 
Overhaul:  74  Liberty,  8 Curtiss  D-12,  total  82. 

- 195  - V-6 CSa,A’.C* 


Luke  FieldJ  June ' 10th : 

2nd  Lieuts • T .B.  Anderson,  J.H.  Davies,  1 .11 . Atterbury,  . J .M.  Thompson  and 
E.Y/.  Rawlings , who  arrived  at  Luke  Field  for  a tour  of  .foreign  service, on  March 
21st,  accepted  commissions  as  Second  Lieutenants,  Air  Corps,  Regular  Army,  to 
have  rank  from  May  8,  1930* 

2nd  Lieut a John  H.  Dulligan  returned  to  Luke  Field  for  duty,  having  finished, 
the  course  for  Cooks  and  Bakers  at  Schofield  Barracks. 

1st  Lieut*  James  F.J.  Early  departed  for  Kanai  on  leave  of  absence  on  the 
20th,  having  ceased  to  he  a benedict , and  will  s ail  for  the  mainland  for  duty 
with  the  1st  Balloon  Co „ , at  Ft.  Sill,  Okla.,  on  the  July  19th  transport. 

Sgt . Maurice  Aubree  of  Luke  Field,  Champion  long  distance  runner  of  Hono- 
lulu, running  steadily  with  a stiff  pace,  clicking  off  distance  over  a sunbaked 
course  with  the  tenacity  of  a bulldog,  won  the  sixth  annual  A.C .A.  modified 
Marathon  run  on  May  30th,  from  the  foot  of  Aloha  Tower  to  the  Waikiki  Natatorium. 

Aubree  finished  the  race  with  a great  burst  of  speed,  being  clocked  at  the 
finish  by  the  judges  in  the  time  of  27  minutes  17  3-5  seconds,  setting  a new 
record  for  the  course. 

Pvt.  Edwards , also  of  Luke  Field,  finished  6th,  being  clocked  by  the  judges 
in  the  time  of  29  minutes  52  seconds. 

Third  Attack,  Group,  Ft . Crockett  , Texas  , June  2nd  t 

Nine  planes  of  the  8th  Attack  Squadron  led  by  Capt.  Lotha  A.  Smith  left 
last  Saturday  morning  for  Abilene,  Texas,  where  they  assisted  in  the  dedication 
ceremonies  of  the  new  airport  there. 

The  Ft.  Crockett  Inter-Squadron  Baseball  League  has  developed  into  a race 
between  the  SOth  Service  Squadron  and  the  90th  Attack  Squadron.  The  90th  has 
lost  only  one  game  and  that  one  was  to  the  60th. 

The  present  standing  of  the  teams  in  the  League  is  as  follows i 


Team 

Played 

Won 

Lo  st 

Pts. 

60th 

Service  Squadron 

6 " 

~6 

. — Q 

' 1.000 

90  th 

Attack  Squadron 

5 

■4  '• 

1 

.800 

13th 

Attadlc  Squadron 

6 

1 

5 

.167 

8th 

Attack  Squadron 

7 

1 

6 

.143 

Plans  are  being  completed  for  a Post  Tennis  Tournament.  A great  deal  of 
interest  is  taken  in  tennis  here,  and  it  is  expected  that  some  very  fine  matches 
will  be  seen  during  the  tournament. 

Lieut.  John  H.  Fite  is  in  the  Base  Hospital  at  Ft®  Sam  Houston,  where  he 
had  a minor  operation  performed. 

It  was  with  a great  deal  of  regret  that  we  saw  Lieuts.  Walter  Gross,  Julius 
Flock,  Robert  Johnston  and  Reginald  Heber  leave  the  Group.  They  were  transfer- 
red on  the  1st  of  June  to  the  Air  Corps  Training  Center  at  Duncan  Field. 

Lieut.  Alfred  Beatie * who  is  in  the  Base  Hospital  at  Ft.  Sam  Houston,  is 
slowly  recovering  from  the  injuries  he  sustained  in  a crash  here  some  time  ago. 
Sgt#  Criss,  who  was  with  Lieut.  Beatie,  at  the  time  of  the  crash,  is  back  at  Ft. 
Crockett  now. 

Third  Attack  Group,  Ft.v  Crockett,  Texas v June  16th * 

Recently  when  the  U . S ® S « “Galvenston"  was  in  port,  the  personnel  of  the 
cruiser  gaye  a farewell  party  and  invited  the  entire  personnel  of  the  Third  At- 
tack Group.  Those  Marines  and  Sailors  certainly  did  show  us  a perfect  time. 

They  sure  do  know  how  to  entertain. 

The  present  standing  of  'the  teams  in  the  Fort  Crockett  Inter -Squadron  Baser- 
ball  League  is  as  follows  s 


• Team  ' ■ 

• Played 

Won 

“ 

Lost__ 

Pts. 

60th  Service  Squadron 

10 " 

1 

.900 

90th  Attack  Squadron 

■ 8 

6 ■ 

2 

.750 

8th  Attack  Squadron 

10 

3 

7 

.300 

13th  Attack  Squadron 

10 

1 

9 

.100 

Lieut,  and  Mrs.  G.A.  McHenry  departed  for  Langley  Field  where  Lieut.  McHenry 
v/ill  attend  the  Tactical  School.  Lieut.  McHenry  was  formerly  Adjutant  of  Fort 
Crockett.  When  the  13th  Attack  Squadron  was  reorganized  last  November,  he  was 
appointed  Commanding  Officer  thereof.  Shortly  before  Lieut,  and  Mrs.  McHenry  left 
they  were  entertained  with  a beach  party  by  the  personnel  of  the  13th  Squadron. 


- 196  - 


V-6058,A.C 


We  regret  to  hear  that  we  are  going  to  lose  Gap!  • Lloyd  L.  Harvey  the  latter 
part  of  this  month.  Capt . Harvey  will  attend  the  Command  and  Staff  School  at  Ft. 
Leavenworth,  Kans.,  for  the  1930-31  course. 

• Lieut,  and  Mrs.  Earle  T.  MacArthur  returned  home  after  their  honeymoon. 

Mrs.  MacArthur  was  formerly  Miss  Genevieve  Harris  of  Denver,  Colo. 

Major  Davenport  Johnson  just  returned  from  Washington  with  the  good  news 
that  an  increase  of  15  Attack  planes  is  being  contemplated  for  the  Third  Attack 
Group. 

Moving  pictures  of  the  Third  Attack  Group  were  taken  recently  by  the  Para- 
mount News  Service  under  the  direction  of  CcF.  Garicke  who  took  the  first  moving 
sound  pictures  for  Paramount.  Among  the  scenes  that  were  shot  were  smoke  screen 
demonstratiohs  and  maneuvers  used  in  Attack  Aviation. 

For  the  past  couple  of  weeks  the  pilots  of  the  Third  Attack  C-roup  have  been 
doing  quite  a bit  of  night  flying.  Up  to  the  present  time  there  has  always  been 
a good  sized  crowd  at  the  field  watching  the  planes  land  and  take  off. 

Under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Robert  F.  Tate,  six  planes  of  the  Third  Attack 
Group,  flew  to  Langley  Field  where  demonstrations  and  instruction  in  Attack 
Aviation  will  be  given  the  graduates  of  West  Point  Military  Academy. 

On  the  19th  of  June,  every  available  plane  in  the  Third  Attack  Group  took 
off  for  San  Antonio  to  participate  in  the  opening  of  Randolph  Field. 

Under  the  command  of  Major  Davenport  Johnson,  twenty  planes  of  the  8th 
and  13th  Attack  Squadrons  took  off  from  Randolph  Field  for  a dawn  to  dusk 
flight  to  Chicago  to  participate  in  the  Aerial  Exposition  on  June  22nd  and  23d. 
Nine  of  the  planes  were  equipped  for  night  flying  in  order  to  give  demonstra- 
tions of  night- flying  over  Chicago. 

Kelly_  Field » Texas  , June  5th : 

A miniature  golf  course  of  18  holes  has  been  constructed  on  Kelly  Field. 

A splendid  course  has  been  made  and  the  crowded  condition  proves  the  popularity 
of  the  game  with  the  enlisted  men  of  the  field.  The  Recreation  Officer  is  in 
charge-  of  the  course  and  the  clubs  are  furnished  without  charge.  The  players 
furnish  their  oy/n  golf  balls. 

The  Kelly  Field  Baseball  League  is  now  in  full  swing.  All  the  squadrons 
on  the  field  - eight  - are  represented.  The  68th  Service  Squadron  has  had  a 
clean  record  to  date,  leading  the  League  with’ seven  victories  and  no  defeats. 

This  team  is  playing  in  the  San  Antonio  Senior  League  and  making  a very  credit- 
able showing.  The  40th,  42nd,  43rd  and  41st  Squadrons  are  bunched  together,  with 
only  a few  points  separating  the  team  in  second  place  from  the  team  in  the  fifth 
place.  The  games  have  been  well  attended,  and  much  enthusiasm  shown. 

Wheeler  Field,  _ToH.,  June  2nd: 

18t  h Pur  suit  Group  ? 1st  Lieut.  James  T.  Hutchison  and  2nd  Lieut.  D.H. 

Alkire  departed  from  the  Group  last  month  for  their  new  stations  on  the  mainland. 
Upon  completion  of  necessary  treatment  at  Letterman  General  Hospital,  Lt.  Hutch- 
ison will  proceed  to  Crissy  Field.  Lieut.  Alkire  is  assigned  to  March  Field. 

Bon  Voyage  was  bid  them  in  true  Hawaiian  fashion,  with  showers  of  Leis,  Aloha's 
and  an  "Aloha  flight"  by  the  entire  group  as  the  transport  rounded  Diamond  Head. 
The  entire  Group  wishes  them  both  every  success  at  their  new  stations. 

The  Group  made  two  Inter-Island  cross-country  flights  during  the  month.  On 
April  28th,  twelve  PW-9's  of  the  19th  Pursuit  Squadron  escorted  a flight  of 
Bombers  from  the  5th  Composite  Group,  Luke  Field,  to  the  island  of  Molokai  on  a 
"tombing  mission".  All  ships  landed  on  Homestead  Field | a large  field  maintain- 
ed by  a Pineapple  Plantation.  On  May  14th  the  Group,  consisting  of  twenty-one 
PW-9*s  and  one  C-2  transport,  flew  to  Maui,  escorting  the  5th  Composite  Group 
on  a "bombing"  problem  to  Hilo,  Island  of  Hawaii.  The  PW-9*s  and  C-2  landed  on 
the  Inter-Island  Airways  Field  at  Wailuku,  Maui.  The  bombers,  DH*s  and  -Amphib- 
ians continued  on  to  Hilo.  The  flight  from. this  point  oh  was  very  disastrous 
for  the  5th'  Composite  Group,  in  that  they  lodt  one  bomber  and  two  Amphibians 
in  crossing- the  channel. 

The  18th  Pursuit  Group  remained  at  Wailuku  and  were  very  hospitably  enter- 
tained by  the  inhabitants.  The  following  morning,  the  Group  took  off  at  11:10 
A.M.,  intercepted  the  5th  Composite  Group,-  on  their  heturn  from  Hilo,  and  re- 
turned to  Wheeler  Field,  landing  at  12,:25  P.M. 

On  Saturday  night,  April  12th,  four  F.7-9  *s , piloted  by  Lieuts.  Vandenberg, 
Towle,  Culbertson  and  Prindle,  participated  in  the  Aloha  Water  Carnival  in 

-197-  V-6058, A.C. 


Honolulu  Harbor  by  formation  flying  in  searchlight  beams,  and  dropping  flares 
over  the  procession  of  brilliantly  lighted  boats.  Lieut.  Culbertson’s  ship 
spread  a smoke  screen  across  the  mouth  of  the  harbor.  The  many  colored  search- 
lights focussed  on  this  smoke  produced  a very  beautiful  sight. 

113th  Obs.  S.guadrprij^  JEndiaji_a_  Nat.*JL  Guard,  Indianapolis,  Ind. , June  14th: 

During  the  past  three  years  the  113th  Observation  Squadron  has  piled  up 
what  we  think  is  a very  enviable  record.  The  drill  attendance  has  never  fallen 
below  75  percent  and  the  turnover  of  enlisted  men  is  less  than  30  percent.  Dur- 
ing the  three  years  that  the  Squadron  has  been  operating  off  its  own  field  there 
has  been  only  one  crack-up  and  no  fatalities. 

On  June  8th,  a battery  of  Anti-aircraft  Artillery  passed  through  our  fair 
city  en  route  to  Ft.  Sheridan,  111.  Equipped  with  high  powered  searchlights, 
and  all  the  most  modern  anti-aircraft'  equipment,  they  paused  long  enough  to  dem- 
onstrate to  the  unsuspecting  citizens  that  they  are  the  babies  to  make  the  air 
"safe  for  the  birdies".  It  was  a very  interesting  demonstration,  but  too  one- 
sided. Our  pilots  had  a great  deal  of  trouble  keeping  in  the  rays  of  the  light 
and  had  to  throttle  down  to  keep  from  loosing  the  "defenders". 

Plans  are  being  formulated  for  a.  big  time  on  July  4th,  We  expect  to  have 
an  air  circus,  with  stunts  and  features  that  have  never  been  seen  before  in  this 
part  of  the  country.  Cooperating  with  a battery  of  Field  Artillery  from  the 
139th  F.A,  38th  Division,  the  Squadron  is  going  to  stage  a mimic  war  and,  judg- 
ing from  preliminary  details,  this  war  is  going  to  be  a "Dandy".  But  we’ll  all 
lay  our  dough  on  the  Air  Corps. 

Mjtchel  Field,  L.I.  ,_  H J «, , June__2_3r_di 

Major  Drury  Mitchell,  Q .M. , and  family,  arrived  on  the  field  and  have  taken 
up  their  quarters.  .Major  Mitchell  will  take  over  the  vacancy  left  by  Colonel 
Scott,  who  departed  several  months  ago  for  Ft.  Riley,  Kansas, 

Lieut.  Johnny  Covington  dispatched  a new  rookie  to  the  1st  Squadron  supply 
room  to  get  a sickle  with  which  to  cut  the  grass  around  the  Operations  Office, 
and  the  man  returned  with  tr:o  signal  flags.  Figure  that  out. 

Mrs.  Trubee  Davison  has  invited  all  the  officers  of  the  Post  and  their 
ladies  to  be  her  guests  at  her  Long  Island  estate  on  the  afternoon  of  June  28th, 
Tennis  and  swimming  promise  to  be  the  main  diversions  in  what  we’  expect  to  be  a 
thoroughly  enjoyable  day. 

1 5 4-th  Observation  Squadron,  Arkansas  National  Guard , June  23rd : 

The  commissioned  and  enlisted  personnel  of  this  outfit  are  anxiously  await- 
ing the  morning  of  July  13th,  when  we  leave  for  Pensacola,  Florida,  on  our  an- 
nual encampment  of  fifteen  days.  Our  program  calls  for  aerial  gunnery,  bombing, 
radio  and  pulling  targets  for  the  anti-aircraft  unit  of  the  Arkansas  National 
Guard.  The  enlisted  personnel  has  been  divided  into  sections  and  the  past  year’s, 
regularly  prescribed  weekly  drill  program  has  been  given  over,  to  instruction  of 
these  men  in  the  work  they  will  do  during  the  summer  encampment.  These  sections 
are  Engineering,  Radio,  Armament,  Supply,  Transportation  and  Medical. 

Weekly  evenings  of  pistol  practice  were  held  in  our  indoor  range  during  the 
winter,  and  these  scores  indicate  that  a high  percentage  of  the  squadron  person- 
nel will  qualify  as  experts.  These  sessions  were  held  by  the  Armament  Officer, 
who  has  also  thoroughly  schooled  the  men  in  nomenclature,  aiming,  firing,  etc, 

Lieut.  Neil  G.  Romich  of  the  Supply  Section  had  another  silver  bar  added  to 
the  one  he  has  had  all  this  time,  and  two  of  our  Second  Lieutenants  have  been 
promoted  to  the  first  grade,  - Lieuts.  Ed  Fee  and  Ellis  Fagan.  Lieuts.  George 
Adams,  John  Howe,  and  Ed  Garbacz  just  passed  their  tests  and  are  now  wearing 
their  "Wings". 

The  Squadron  baseball  team  is  in  mid-season  form  and  has  only  lost  one  game 
this  season.  Our  Athletic  Officer  is  whipping  the  bunch  into  shape  for  some  of 
the  service  tea.ms  around  Pensacola  this  summer. 

Our  Squadron  is  mourning  the  loss  of  two  members  who  died  in  the  past  month 
in  crashes.  Lieut.  Jimmie  Youngblood  was  killed  in  Tulsa,  Okla.,  while  flying 
a commercial  ship 5 and  Lieut.  Bill  Letzig,  who  was  on  active  duty  in  Panama,  was 
killed  there  while  towing  targets.  Our  Commanding  Officer,  Major  J.  Carroll 
Cone,  was  seriously  injured  at  Billings,  Mont.,  while  flying  a commercial  ship. 

- 198  - Y-6058, A.C. 


\7e  are  to  receive  three  new  H’s  sometime  before  camp  to  help  along  the  two 
overworked  ones  we'  now  have. 

One  of  our  H*s  attracted  quite  a bit  of  attention  flying  around  last  Satur- 
day afternoon  with  a ;arget  behind  stretched  out  around  three  thousand  feet. 

Capt.  Balier,  the  Operations  Officer,  and  one  of  the  Armament  Sergeants  were  test- 
ing- out  the  equipment  and  getting  in  shape  for  lots  of  this  a bit  later  on,  but 
a lot  of  people  thought  they  were  about  to  lose  something. 

'Selridge  Field,  Mt .Clemens,  Mich,.,.  June  6th s 

17th  Pursuit  Squadron > On  Friday,  June  6th,  the  17th  Pursuit  Squadron  gave 
a Squadron  dinner,  followed  by* a minstrel  show  by  the  men  of  the  Squadron,  under 
the  direction  of  Lieut.  IC.A.  'Rogers. 

At  the  request  of  the' University  of  South  Dakota,  Lieut.  L„0.  Ryan,  17th 
Pursuit  Squadron,  made  an  extended  cross-country  flight  to  Vermilion,  South 
Dakota,  to  participate  in  a celebration  at  the  University.  Lieut,  Ryan  acted 
as  judge  of  the  girls*  glider  contest,  one  of  the  important  events  of  the  day, 

Lieut.  F.E.  Malick,  Purdue  University  out-fielder,  is  coaching  the  17th 
Pursuit  Squadron  baseball  team. 


- 199  - 


V-6058 , A.C 


VOL.  X!V 


JULY  28,  1! 


NO.  9 


^ C . 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 
— 0O0 

Page 

A Mid-air  Transfer  of  Radio  Apparatus.  . . ........  « . • 200  - 202 

Air  Corps  Engineering  School  Commencement.  ..... ......  201 

Instrument  Flying  at  Advanced  Flying  School.  ..........  202 

The  Eleventh  Bombardment  Squadron.  ...............  203-  204 

Pistol  Shooting  Competition  at  Chanute  .......  204 

Cuban  Officers  Visit  San  Antonio  Depot  .............  204 

Death  of  Lieut,  Frank  B.  Tyndall  ................  205 

Changes  in  Curriculum  at  Air  Corps  Technical  School.  ......  206 

Corps  Area  Commander  Commends  Air  Corps  Cooperation.  ......  206 

Kansas  City  Reservists  Participate  in  Airport  Dedication  ....  207 

Talkies  at  March  Field  .............. .......  207 

March  Field  Airmen  Attend  Randolph  Field  Dedication.  ......  207 

Observation  Pilots  Qualify  in  Aerial  Gunnery  ..........  208 

Paint  Job  Removes  Pet  " Jinx'*..  .................  208 

Technical  School  Students  Stage  Radio  Demonstration.  ......  208 

Radio  Students  Graduate  while  Flying  ..............  209 

Small  Arms  Training  Course  for  Wright  Field  Reserve  Officers  . . 209 

Caterpillars  Pass  the  250  Mark.  210  - 212 

Kansas  City  Reservists  Accumulate  Flying  Time.  .........  212 

Modern  Radio  Equipment  for  Aircraft.  ..............  212 

A New  Leader  at  Mitchel  Field.  ......  ....  212 

New  Training  Manual  T©  Be  Issued  ................  213 

Looking  Into  The  Future.  ....................  213 

Selfridge  Field  Units  Move  to  Scott  Field 213 

Photographic  Officers  Perform  Practical  Air  Work  ........  213 

Instrument  Flying  on  Cross-Country  Trip...  ......  214 

Wright  Field  Mecca  for  Commercial  Aviation  Representatives  ...  214 

Flying  Proves  Safer  than  Motoring.  ...............  214  - 215 

Beware  of  Radio  Towers  Near  Randolph  Field  ...........  215 

Flying  Students  Goofy  Golf  Fans.  ................  215 

Former  Air  Corps  Enlisted  Man  Wins  Elimination  Balloon  Race.  . • 215 

Radio  Proves  Valuable  Aid  in  Emergency  .............  216 

New  Landing  Fields  in  the  Northwest.  ...... ........  216 

Post  Field  Airmen  Train  at  Dallas.  ...............  216 

First  Balloon  Company  Cooperates  with  Field  Artillery.  .....  217 

70th  Observation  Squadron  Celebrates  Organization  Day.  .....  217 

Solving  the  Hot  Weather  Problem  at  March  Field  .........  217 

Reserve  Officers  Honor  General  Preston  Brown  . . 217 

Over  One-third  of  West  Point  Graduates  Detailed  to  Air  Corps  • . 218  ~ 218 

How  Mr  Corps  Planes  Are  Designated.  ..............  219  - 220 

Caterpillars  Still  Thriving.  ..................  220 

Pioneer  Airman  Joins  the  Great  Beyond.  .............  220 

War  Department  Orders  Affecting  Air  Corps  Officers  .......  221 

Promotion  of  Air  Corps  Enlisted  Men.  ..............  221 

Notes  from  Air  Corps  Fields.  ..................  222 


V-6065  »A. C 


NEWS 


NO.  9 


VOL.  XIV  ' A I R ..  CORPS ____ 

Information  Division  July  ^q.  1930  Monition's  Building 

Air  Corps ’ Washington,  D.C. 


The  chief  purpose  of  this  publication  is  to  distribute  information  on  aero- 
nautics to  the  flying  personnel  in  the  Regular  Army,  Reserve  Corps,  National 
Guard,  and  others  connected  with  aviation. 

0O0 


A MID-AIR  TRANSFER  OF  RADIO  APPARATUS 

Students  of  the  Communications  Course,  of  the  Air  Corps  Tactical  School  at 
Chanute  Field,  Rantoul,  111.,  performed  a rather  unusual  "stunt"  during  the 
course  of  the  recent  record  endurance  refueling  flight  of  the  Hunter  Brothers 
of  Chicago  by  transferring  a headset  and  microphone  to  the  occupants  of  the 
endurance  plane  and  enabling  them  to  broadcast  to  the  world  their  experiences 
during  their  long  grind  over  the  Shy  Harbor  Airport  at  Chicago. 

In  connection  with  this  latest  achievement  in  refueling  endurance  flight, 
it  is  interesting  to  note  that  some  18  months  after  the  Army  flyers  in  the 
airplane  "Question  Mark"  established  a record  for  continuous  flying  of  150 
hours,  40  minutes  and  14  seconds,  this  record  has  now  been  almost  quadrupled. 

When  Dale  Jackson  and  Forest  0* Brine,  flying  over  the  Lambert-St.  Louis  Field 
from  July  13  to  July  30,  1929,  landed  with  a contiguous  flying  time  record  of 
420  hours  and  21  minutes,  it  was  the  generally  accepted  belief  that  the  ultimate 
had  been  reached  in  endurance  flight. 

Although  the  Hunter  Brothers  are  not  from  Missouri,  but  from  Illinois  - 
a neighboring  State  - they  evidently  belong  to  the  same  clan  of  Doubting  Thomases 
and  proceeded  to  show  the  world  that  their  doubts  were  well  founded.  And  now 
the  refueling  endurance  flight  record  has  been  boosted  to  553  hours,  41  minutes 
and  30  seconds.  It  was  estimated  that  during  the  course  of  their  long  stay  in 
the  ozone  they  traveled  approximately  41,475  miles. 

But  to  return  to  the  mission  performed  by  the  radio  students  of  Chanute 
Field.  On  July  1st,  a teleiohone  message  was  received  at  Chanute  Field  from  the 
Office  of  the  Columbia  Broadcasting  Chain  to  the  effect  that  they  had  requested 
the  authority  of  the  Assistant  Secretary  of  War,  the  Hon.  F.  Trubee  Davison, 
for  a Chanute  Field  radio- equipped  airplane  to  be  immediately  dispatched  to  the 
Sky  Harbor  Airport,  Chicago,  111.,  where-  the  Hunter  Brothers  were  making  their 
refueling  endurance  flight,  for  the  purpose  of  dropping  a microx>hone  and  head- 
set into  the  cabin  of  the  record-breaking  airplane  - The  City  of  Chicago  - in 
order  to  enable  the  Hunter  Brothers  to  broadcast  over  the  Columbia  Broadcasting 
Chain. 

First  Lieut.  Ernest  S.  Moon,  2nd  Lieut. 'Robert  Schoenlein,  Corporal  Thomas 
E.  Arnold  amd  Corporal  Don  C.  Worley  were  detailed  on  this  mission  and  immedi- 
ately proceeded  to  make  ready  therefor.  Shortly  before  noon  a radiogram  was  ‘re- 
ceived from  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  in  Washington,  authorizing 
the  project.  The  airplane,  with  Lieut.  Moon,  pilot,  and  Corporal  Worley, 

Airplane  Mechanic,  left  Chanute  Field  immediately  for  Sky  Harbor,  and  Lieut. 
Schoenlein  and  Corporal  Arnold  (Radio  Mechanic)  with  some  ground  radio  appara- 
tus, spare  tubes,  batteries,  etc.,  left  by  automobile  about  the  same  time. 

Upon  arrival,  Lieut.  Moon  made  all  arrangements,  and  at  five  o* clock  and 
twice  daily  thereafter,  he  and  Lieut.  Schoenlein  me.de  contact  with  the 
endurance  plane  by  dropping  a headset  and  microphone  into  the’ir  cabin,  except 
on  such  occasions  when  the  Hunter  Brothers  declined  to  receive  the  radio 
apparatus,  probably  due  to  experiencing  some  minor  difficulty  with  their  own 
airplane  at  the  time. 

On  several  occasions  the  radio  contact  between  the  Amny  and  the  endurance 
planes  was  very  successful,  thereby  enabling  the  Hunter  "Brothers  in  their 
plane  to-  talk  via  telephone  to  the  Army  airplane,  which  in  turn  transmitted 
their  talk  by  radio,  which  was  -picked  up  on  the  ground  (at  Sky  Harbor)  and  re- 
layed again  by  telephone  to  the  Broadcasting  Station  of  WBBM  in  Chicago  and 
simultaneously  to  all  radio  broadcasting  stations  throughout  the  United  States 
which  were  on  the  Columbia  Broadcasting  Chain. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  a very  novel  performance  was  staged  several 
times  when  a two-way  conversation  was  held  between  members  of  the  Hunter 
family  and  aviation  officials  on  the  ground  and  the  Hunter  Brothers  in  the 

-200-  V-6065,  A.C. 


endurance  airplane  through  the  medium  of  dropping  wires  into  the  cabin.' Of  their 
plane  from  the  Army  radio-equipped  airplane  flying  about  thirty  feet  above,  and 
simultaneously  broadcasting  the  two-way  conversation  over  the  Columbia  Radio 
network  in  a fashion  similar  to  that  described  above. 

The  National  Broadcasting  Chain  also  broadcast  the  remarks  of  the  Hunter 
Brothers  while  in  the  air,  as  well  as  the  two-way  conversation  between  the 
members  of  the  Hunter  family  on  the  airdrome  and  the  Hunter  Boys  in  the 
endurance  airplane. 

The  Hews  Letter  Correspondent  states  that  he'  is  of  the  belief  that  the 
record  endurance  flight  created  national  interest,  and  that  the  accomplishments 
of  the  Chanute  Field  radio  personnel  in  making  radio  contact  with  the  endurance 
plane  and  disseminating  the  conversations  over  both  the  Columbia  and  National 
Broadcasting  Radio  Net  Works  brought  the  entire  population  of  the  United  States 
in  considerably  more  intimate  contact  with,  the  record  breakers  than  would  have 
otherwise  occurred  through  the  newspapers  or  any  other  means, 

— 0O0 


AIR  CORPS  ENGINEERING  SCHOOL  COMMENCEMENT 
By  A.M.  Jacobs 

Commencement  exercises  of  the  Air  Corps  Engineering  School  were  held  at  the 
Wright  Field  auditorium  on  June  30th,  at  11:30  o1 clock.  Brigadier- General  B.D. 
Foulois  presided  and  distributed  the  diplomas.  In  his  address  to  the  graduates 
and  assembled  officers  and  employees  of  the  .field,  the  General  stressed  the 
necessity  of  cooperation , in  the  accomplishment  of  work,  especially  the  spirit  of 
cooperation  that  senior  officers  and  executives  should  demonstrate  to  those  work- 
ing under  their  direction.  He  recited  instances  in  his  own  experience  when,  as 
an  enlisted  man,  the  intelligent  interest  taken  in  him  by  certain  of  his  super- 
iors, even  when  enforcing  disciplinary  action,  had  left  a lasting -and  beneficial 
impression.  \ 

General  Foulois  explained  that  he  was  going  to  Washington  to  take  part  in 
plans  for  the  completion  of  the  Five-Year  Program  for  the  Air  Corps  started  in 
1926 , He  begged  the  continued  cooperation  of  the  Materiel  Division,  so  liberally 
shown  here  during  his.  year  as  Chief,  as  an  aid  in  that  effort. 

Luncheon  for  the  students  and  their  wives  followed  the  exercises.  Lieut. - 
Colonel  Jacob  E.  Fickel,  Acting  Chief  of  the  Division,  presided.  Major  Leslie 
flfe-cDill,  Major  C.W.  Howard,  Major  O.P.'  Echols,  Captain-  and  Mrs,  Gardner,  Lieut, 
and  Mrs.  Albert  F.  Hegenberger  were  also  guests.-  Later  the  party  repaired  to 
the  auditorium  where  they  were  shown  colored  moving  pictures  made  in  the  labora- 
tories of  the  Eastman  Kodak  Company,  depicting  the  arrival  and  reception  of  the 
Engineering  School  at  the  Eastman  Kodak  Company  and  at.  the  Bosch  and  Lomb 
Company  incident  to  their  recent  inspection  trip  through  those  plants  upon  a 
trip  to  Rochester,  New  York. 

Out  of  the  eleven  graduates,  eight  were  assigned  to  the  Materiel  Division, 
under  the  policy  adopted  by  the  Air  Corps  of  making  direct  application  of  the 
technical  training  received  during  the  year.  The  names  of  the  graduating  offi- 
cers and  their  new  assignments  follow: 


Lieut.  A.  W.  Vanaman, 
Lieut.  W.  N.  Amis, 

0.  R.  Cook, 

A.  C.  Foulk, 

Paul  H.  Kemmer, 

C.  D.  McAllister, 
Lieut  • D . W . Watkins , 
Lieut.  F.  D.  Klein, 
Lieut.  H.T.'  McCormick, 
Lieut.  H.  H.  Couch, 
Lieut.  E.  L.  Eubank 


Lieut . 
Lieut, 
Lieut. 
Lieut. 


Procurement  Section 
Field  Service  Section 
Airplane  Branch 
Airplane  Branch 
Equipment  Branch 
Equipment  Branch 
Power  Plant  Branch 
Materials  Branch. 

Air  Corps  District  Inspector's  Office,  N.Y.City 
March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif. 

Tactical  School,  Langley  Field,  Va. 

~ — oOo- — 


Professor  J.  C.  Othus,  of  the  Oregon  State  Agricultural  College,  is  giving  a 
series  of  lectures  on  Metallurgy  and  Metal  Testing  to  the  Air  Corps  Engineering 
School,  which  has  secured  his  services  until  September  15th,  after  which  he  will 
return  to  Oregon. 

-201-  V-6065,  A. C. 


INSTRUMENT  FLYING  AT  ADVANCED  FLYING  SCHOOL 

"Instrument  Flying,"  the  art  of  guiding  an  airplane  through  the  air  with 
the  aid  of  instruments  alone  and  without  the  pilot  orienting  himself  on  the 
horizon  ahead,  has  "been  added  to  the  curriculum  of  the  Advanced  Flying  School 
of  the  Army  Air  Corps  at  Kelly  Field,  San  Antfonio,  Texas. 

A number  of  PT  (Primary  Training)  planes,  each  with  the  rear  cockpit 
equipped  with  an  airspeed  meter,  altimeter,  turn- and- hank  indicator,  tachometer 
and  compass,  and  hooded  over  with  an  adjustable  canvas  hood,  are  used  for  the 
first  phases  of  this  instruction.  Eight  hours  are  given  over  to  -practice  in 
this  type  of  flying,  the  student  being  seated  in  the  hooded  cockpit  and  the 
instructor  in  the  open  one. 

Starting  with  straight  flying,  the  student  learns  to  fly  at  a constant  al- 
titude and  speed,  and  with  the  wings  level  along  a compass  course,  gradually 
developing  skill  in  this  phase  of  flying  and  then  advancing  to  making  banks  and 
turns  until  he  can  make  these  with  creditable  facility.  The  instructor  travels 
along  to  watch  out  for  aerial  traffic  and  to  check  on  the  student1 s work.  From 
the  hooded  primary  type  of  plane  the  student  advances  to  one  of  the  larger 
basic  training  type  planes  with  the  front  (pilot's)  cockpit  also  hooded  over 
and  equipped  with  the  complete  set  of  standard  instruments. 

Supplementing  the  course  in  this  type  of  flying  are  a number  of  lectures 
on  the  subject  of  instrument  flying,  or  fog  flying,  to  give  it  the  name  by. which 
it  is  known  to  the  flying  fraternity  both  in  the  service  and  in  civil  life. 

Most  important  is  the  instruction  given  in  the  limitations  of  instrument  flying, 
when  it  should  be  done  and  when  it  should  be  avoided.  Only  skilled  pilots  are 
able  to  fly  in  this  manner,  and  even  they  have  to  be  broken  of  the  tendency  to 
rely  on  their  "flying  instinct"  and  their  "senses"  altogether  instead  .of  on 
their  instruments  when  they  first  set  out- under  a completely  covered  cockpit 
which  blots  out  all  view  of  the  sky. 

"Flying  instinct,"  said  one  instructor,  "is  a much  abused  term  employed  by 
writers  of  fiction  with  \7hich  to  imbue  their  heroes.  To  a great  extent  instinct 
plays  a part  in  the  piloting  of  airplanes,  but  it  must  be  used  in  conjunction 
with  a good  set  of  flying  instruments  when  you  find  yourself  in  a fog  or  under  a 
hooded  cockpit  which  simulates  the  conditions  of  flying  through  a fog  or  clouds. 
Certain  movements  in  the  control  of  an  airplane, which  are  reactions  to  one.' s 
senses,  are  instinctive,  but  these  same  senses  cannot  be  relied  upon  under  all 
conditions.  A person  in  a whirling  chair  with  his  eyes  closed  will  imagine 
himself  whirling  to  the  left  after  the  chair  has  ceased  whirling  to  the  right 
and  is  no  longer  in  motion.  In  a fog  or  clouds  or  heavy  storm,  a plane  might  be 
in  a tail  spin  and  the  pilot  may  take  it  out  of  the  spin,  but  for  a number  of 
seconds  thereafter  he  will  feel  that  he  is  then  spinning  in'  the  opposite  direc- 
tion. The  flying  instruments,  however,  will  indicate  what  is  actually  occurring. 

Student  flyers  at  the  Air  Corps  Flying  Schools  are  apt  to  be  puzzled  over 
the  apparent  conflict  presented  by  instrument  flying  as  oipposed  to  the  jiroblems 
of  normal  flying.  In  common  with  flying  students  the  world  over,  many  of  the 
beginners  have  to  be  broken  of  their  tendency  to  rely  on  their  flying  instru- 
ments instead  of  on  their  senses  when  the  ground  and  the  sky  are  visible.  Many 
a novice  pilot  has  come  to  grief  in  gliding  down  to  the  ground  and  waiting  until 
his  altimeter  reads  "zero"  before  attempting  to  level  off  and  land.  Many  another 
has  relied  on  the  reading  of  his  airspeed  meter  to  tell  him  when  he  is  approach- 
ing the  dangerous  stalling  speed.  For  this  reason  airspeed  meters, also  turn-and- 
bank  indicators  have  been  taken  off  the  primary  types  of  planes  used  for  primary 
instruction.  It  is  only  after  they  have  had  considerable  experience  in  handling 
airplanes  that  the  flying  school  students  are  given  this  instrument-flying  work. 

Aside  from  the  lectures  touching  on  the  mechanics  of  instrument  flying,  the 
greatest  stress  in  subsequent  lectures  on  this  subject  is  laid  on  "when  one 
should"  and  more  particularly  "when  one  should  not"  rely  on  the  compass,  turn- 
and-bank  indicator  and  the  rest  of  the  fog- flying  aids.  In  other  words,  the 
students  are  taught  to  differentiate  between  the  conditions  under  which  they 
should  push  on  and  those  under  which  they  should  turn  back  and  land. 

For  the  present  time  the  added  course  in  instrument  flying  at  the  Advanced 
Flying  School  is  considered  tentative,  its  final  adoption  to  be  decided  upon 
after  a period  of  practical  application, 

f-202-* 


V-6065,  A-C. 


THE  ELEVENTH  BOMBARDMENT  SQUADRON 


f 


i 


Among  the  famous  units  of  the  Air  Corps  of  the  United  States  Army,  the 
11th  Bombardment  Squadron  takes  a place  at  the  top.  Organized  at  Kelly  Field, 
Texas,  in  the  spring  of  1917,  this  unit  was  originally  intended  as  an. Observa- 
tion squadron,  there  being  at  that  time  no  contemplated  Bombardment  units. 

During  those  hectic  days  of  hurry  and  scramble,  change  and  rechange,  somehow 
there  emerged  a unit  that  was  recognizable  as  such.  In  September  the  unit  was 
ordered  to  Mitchel  Field,  Long  Island,  New  York,  for  transportation  overseas. 

After  a period  of  detention  at  this  place,  which  at  that  time  was  little 
more  than  a mudhole , the  unit  finally  received  overseas  orders  and  sailed  for 
Sunny  France  in  October.  The  crossing  was  without  incident,  and  the  organiza- 
tion arrived  in  England,  where  it  was  sent  to  Winchester  to  train  with  the 
British  under  the  tutelage  of  the  Hoyal  Air  Force,  at  that  time  the  world* s 
best.  In  this  happy  circumstance  the  Eleventh  was  exceptionally  fortunate,  as 
the  personnel  were 'given  an  opportunity  to  receive  training  and  instruction 
from  warriors  who  had  seen  part  of  a war.  . 

After  instruction  and  training  by  the  Masters  of  the  Art  for  a period  of  ' ‘ ‘ 
dovcral  months,  in  the  spring  the  squadron  was  sent  to  the  south  of  France  to 
Air  Service  Replacement  and  Concentration  Depot  #5  at  St.  Maxient,  where  it  was 
assumed  they  would  be  equipped  and  sent  to  the  front.  This  happened*  They  were 
equipped  - with  picks  and  spades,  saws  and  hammers,  and  put  to  work.  The  near- 
est airplane  was  at  Tours,  a hundred  miles  away,  and  for  a period  the  Eleventh 
could  forget  that  they  were  Air  Service. 

This 'unhappy  condition  did  not  last  forever,  as  the  unit  was  ordered  to 
the  front  in  July,  taking  station  at  Amanty,  a little  French  mudhole  in  the" 
vicinity  of  Colombey  Les  Belles  and  Grande  Court.  The  Eleventh,  which  had  been 
changed  into  a Bombardment  unit,  was  to  be  a part  of  the  First  Day  Bombardment 
Group,  First  American  Army.  In  August  they  were  equipped  in  time  to  .get  in  on 
the  St.  Mihiel  fray,  in  which  they  gave  a splendid  account  of  themselves  consid- 
ering the  type  of  airplane  used.  Here  it  might  be  stated  that  the  squadron  was 
equipped  with  the  famous  American™ built  DeHaviland  Four,  known  among  flying  men 
in  France  by  more  or  less  formidable  designations. 

About  this  time  Captain  Charles  P.  Heater,  who  had  been  for  some  months 
serving  with  the  Independent  Force,  Britain* s great  bombing  force,  at  that  time 
working  up  the  Saar  and  Rhine  Valleys  bombing  German  industrial  cities,  was 
placed  in  command.  Heater  had  the  experience,  knowledge  and  personality  for  a 
great  leader,  and  in  a short  time  the  unit  was  in  a state  ,f  training  and 
morale  that  rendered  it  a dangerous  opponent  for  any  air  force.  The  Germans 
thought  so,  as  later  shown. 

The  First  Day  Bombardment  Group  was  formed  officially  in  September  of  1918, 
consisting  of  the  Eleventh,  Captain  Heater;  the  Twentieth,  Captain  Sellers;  the 
Ninety- sixth.  Captain  Summerset;  and  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixty-sixth,  Captain 
Parks,  commanding.  Captain  Summers  is  now  back  in  the  Infantry;  Captain  Sellers 
is  a member  of  the  Air  Corps  Reserve , having  served  two  periods  of.  extended 
active  duty  at  Langley  Field,  Va. , in  1928  and  1929;  and  Captain  Heater,  is  in  . > 
civil  life.  These  four  units  constituted  the  entire  effective  Bombardment  force 
of  the  United  States  at  that  time,  and  even  at  the  time  the  Armistice  was  signed 
they  had  not  been  augmented.  General  William  Mitchell,  well  known  then  and  now,, 
was  Army  Air  Service  Commander,  First  Army,  and  with  him  at  the  helm  plenty  of/ 
work  was  in  store.  He  could  and  would  work  day  and  night,  and  everyone  else  was 
requested  to  do  the  same. 

During  the  Meuse  Argonne,  first  and  second  stages,  this  unit  was  called 
upon  to  carry  its  load  of  America’s  offensive  gesture  toward  German  power,  and  , . 
acquitted  itself  with  honor.  Severe  casualties  were  sustained,  but  the  effects, 
were  overcome.  The  highest  , spot  in  the  Eleventh’s,  record  is  the  fact  that  any  / 
mission  it  was  called  on  to  perform  was  carried  out,  regardless  of  difficulties.  . 
It  possessed  as  brilliant  a combat  record  as  any  unit,,  being  officially  credited 
with  the  destruction  of  thirteen  enemy. aircraft , twelve  successful  raids  on  enemy 
territory,  and  many  of- its  individual'  members  being  decorated  by  the  United 
States,  England  and  France.  Each  successful .raid  was  equivalent  to  the  action 
of  much  artillery;  and  this;  effect  was  felt  far  beyond  the  extreme  range  of 
artillery.  • /.  ' /'  s"  " /v  r/ 

After  the  Armlet  ice,  the  unit  was  ordered  about  and  finally  reached  home  in 
1919.  After  a short  stay  at  Mitchel  Field,  if  "Was  reorganized,  many  of  the  old 
members, being  weary. of  war  and  its  attendant  miseries,  having  accepted  discharge 
and  the  sixty 'dollars.  But  many  youngsters  who  had  missed  service  because  of 


-203- 


V-6065,  A.C. 


youth  began  to  enlist,  and  the  unit  was  rebuilt  and  ordered  to  the  Mexican 
Border,  taking  home  station  at  Kelly  Field,  from  whence  it  had  started  many 
months  before.  It  left  Kelly  Field  as  an  organization  of  the  Army  and  returned 
a unit  of  America's  fighting  forces,  a distinction  that  may  be  hidden  from  the 
layman  but  well  known  to  any  veteran. 

During  the  years  1920  and  1921  not. much  happened  to  the  Eleventh,  that  is, 
anything  which  may  be  called  unusual.  In  1922  it  was  ordered  to  Langley  Field, 
Va. , where  it  carried  on  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  James  Grisham.  Arriving  at 
Langley,  it  became  again  a part  of  the  Second  Bombardment  Group,  composed  of 
those  illustrious  units  which  had  made  up  the  organization  during  the  War.  They 
were  equipped  with  Martin  Bombers,  at  that  time  the  most  menacing  war  machine 
in  existence,  and  proceeded  again  to  a state  of  training  which  would  justify  the 
record  held  before. 

In  1923,  General  Mitchell,  having  secured  two  battleships  - the  VIRGINIA 
and  the  NEW  JERSEY  ~ prepared  a strenuous  program.  He  came  down  to  Langley 
Field  and  took' active  charge,  and  only  those  who  know  him  can  appreciate  what 
"active  charge."  by  General  Mitchell  meant.  Along  with  practice  bombing,  it  was 
planned  to  move  the  entire  Group  from  Langley  to  Bangor,  Maine,  between  daylight 
and  darkness.  Old  heads  said  it  couldn’t  be  done  and  lots  of  young,  ones  argued. 
When  General  Mitchell  gave  the  signal,  the  Group,  under  the  command  of  Major 
John  Reynolds,  took  off  from  Langley  Field,  27  ships  strong,  with  enough  tentage, 
rations  and  equipment  for  the  establishment  of  a camp. 

In  September,  everything  being  ready,  the  Group  moved  to  Cape  Hatteras  to 
prepare  for  the  sinking  of  the  battleships.  Two- thousand-pound  bombs  were 
carried  and  the  ships  were  sunk,  all  of  which  resulted  in  much  newspaper  comment. 

After  this  epic,  the  unit  returned  to  Langley  Field  and  rested  for  a week, 
and  then  again  took  up  their  training,  which  continued  until  1926,  when  the 
Eleventh  was  placed  on  the  inactive  list,  the  personnel  being  sent  to  March 
Field,  Riverside,  Calif.,  and  there  assigned  to  the  reconstituted  54th  School 
Squadron. 

The  Eleventh  was  reorganized  on  June  1,  1928,  with  an  authorized  enlisted 
strength  of  115,  obtained  by  transfer  and  recruitipent.  Rockwell  Field  is  the 
present  home  station  of  this  Squadron  but,  being  cursed  with  the  lust  to  roam, 
it  will  not  be  home-  very  much  if  there  is  something  to  do  a few  hundred  miles 
away. 

oOo 

PISTOL  SHOOTING  OOMPETION  AT  CHANUTE 

Hie  Chanute  Field  Pistol  Club  completed  the  first  leg  of  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant ketches  of  the'  season  at  that  field  recently  when  it  won  the  first  of  a 
series  of  three  pistol  matches  with  the  Pistoleers’  Club  of  Cumberland,  Md. , by 
the  score  of  827.  to  814.  The  matched  were  so  arranged  that  the  number  of  contes- 
tants was  unlimited,  the  four  highest  scores  counting.  The  four  counting  scores 
were  made  by  Lieuts.  Robert  Schoenlein  with  212,  John  L.  Hitchings  with  215, 
Arthur  Hamilton  with  204  and  Minton  Kaye  with  196. 

One  of  the  features  of  the  match,  was  the  shooting  of  Lieut.  Kaye  who, 
although  an  expert  rifleman,  had  never  competed  with  a pistol.  He  shot  the 
fourth  highest  score  his  first  time  out. 

One  additional  pistol  match  has  also  been  completed,  but  the  scores  are  not 
yet  available.  It  is  understood  that  the  Chanute  Field  Club  will  arrange  for  a 
number,  of  competitive  matches  to  be  held  at  the  field  during  the  summer,  where 
both  teams  will  be  present  for  firing  instead  of  each  team  firing  on  its  own 
range  and  comparing  scores. 

— oOo 

CUBAN  OFFICERS  VISIT  SAN  ANTONIO  DEPOT 

The  San  Antonio  Air  Depot,  Duncan  Field,  Texas,  recently  had  the  honor  of 
an  informal  visit  from  Captain  Mario  Torres  Menier,  Captain  Jose'  E.  Terry  and  1st 
Lieut.  Manuel  Vidal  Lazage  of  the  Cuban  Army  Air  Cqrps,  accompanied  by  Captain 
Rosenham  Beam,  Air  Corps,  who  is  attached  to  the  Cuban  Army. Aviation  School  at 
Havana,  Cuba.  The  Cuban' officers  were  conducted  through  the  Engineering  shops 
and  other  activities  of  the  Depot,  and  expressed  great  interest  and  enjoyment  in 
viewing  them.  Those  four  officers  had  flown  from  Havana  to  San. Antonio  to  attend 
the  dedication  of  Randolph  Field  on  June  20th,  making  the  trip  in  two  Vought 
Corsair  planes  and  accomplishing  this,  1650-mile  journey  in  a flying  time  of  14 
hours  and  15  minutes. 

. -204- 


' ' V-6065,  A.C. 


DEATH  OF  LIEUT.  FRANK  B.  TYNDALL 

The  death  in  an  airplane  crash- on  Tuesday  night,  July  15th,  of  1st  Lieut. 
Frank  B.  Tyndall,  removed  from  the  ranks  of  the  Air  Corps  one  of  its  war-time 
officers  who  rendered  conspicious  service-  in  comhat  operations  overseas.  Lieut. 
Tyndall  was  stationed  at  Langley  Field,  Va. , and  was  engaged  in  a cross-country 
night  flight  in  a single-seater  pursuit  plane  when  he  crashed  into  a tree., 

A native  of  Florida, Lieut.  Tyndall  was  horn  at  Sewells  Point,  Fit*.,  on 
September  18,  1894.  He  attended  Valparaiso  University,  Indiana,  and  for  two 
years  served  in  the  Florida  National  Guard.  During  the  war  he  enlisted  in  the 
Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps,  on  July  27,  1917,  and  after  completing  his 
ground  school  training  at  the  Georgia  School  of  Technology,  Atlanta,  Ga. , he 
was  ordered  to  duty  overseas.  He  received  flying  training  under  his  Cadet 
status  at  the  School  of  Aviation,  Chateauroux,  France.  Hfioalso  completed  the 
course  at  the  Aerial  Gunnery  School  at  Cazaux,  France. 

Following  his  appointment  as  a 1st  Lieutenant  in  the  Aviation  Section, 
Signal  Corps,  March  22,  1918,  Lieut.  Tyndall  was  placed  on  active  duty  at  the 
Third  Aviation  Instruction  Center.  Assigned  to  duty  on  August  20,  1918,  with 
the  22nd  Aero  Squadron,  in  a short  period  he  became  Deputy  Flight  Commander  be- 
cause of  his  keenness  and  ability  in  his  work.  He  fought  and  led  with  great 
zeal  through  the  St.  Mihiel  and  Meuse-Argonne  Offensives,  and  for  a period  from 
October  13th  to  the  date  of  the  Armistice  was  Flight  Commander  through  the 
hardest  campaign  the  Air  Service  experienced.  He  was  well  trained  in  Pursuit 
work  and  was  officially  credited  with  the  destruction  of  four  enemy  aircraft. 

He  \7as  recommended  for  the  Distinguished  Service  Cross  and  for  promotion,  being 
advanced  to  the  grade  of  Captain  on  March  13,  1919. 

After  a period  of  service  as  Chief  Engineering  Officer  at  the  Air  Service 
Depot  at  Morrison,  Va. , Lieut,  Tyndall  was  transferred  to  .Kelly  Field,  Texas, 
April  5,  1920,  for  duty  with  the  Pursuit  Group.  On  July  1,  1920,  he  was  com- 
missioned a 1st  Lieutenant  in'  the  Air  Corps,  Regular  Army. 

Assigned  to  duty’  as  a student  at  tho  Air  Service  Engineering  School-  at 
McCook  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  on  November  1,  1920,  Lieut.  Tyndall  graduated  there- 
from in  September,  1921,  and  shortly  thereafter  was  assigned  to  duty  at 
Seattle,  Washington,  as  Air  Service  representative  at  the  aircraft  plant  of  the 
Boeing  Company.  In  June,  1923,  he  was 'assigned  to  duty  in  the  Hawaiian  Depart- 
ment and  upon  his  return  to  the  United  States  was  placed  on  duty  at  Garden 
City,  Long  Island,  as  Air  Corps  representative  at  the  plant  of  the  Curtiss 
Aeroplane  and  Motor  Corporation,  and  several  months  later  in  the  same  capacity 
at  the  aircraft  -plant  of  the  Kuff-Baland  Airplane  Co.,  Bristol,  Pa. 

Last  summer  Lieut.  Tyndall  was  detailed  to  duty  as  a student  at  the  Air 
‘Corps  Tactical  School  at  Langley  Field,  Va. , and  he  graduated  therefrom  in 
June,.  1930,  He  was  slated  for  duty  as  Instructor  in  Pursuit  Aviation  at  the 
Tactical  School,  but  his. untimely  death  will  necessitate  a change  :of  plans  in 
this  direction. 

. Lieut,  Tyndall  was  the  second  member  of  the  Army  Air  Corps  to  join  the 
Caterpillar  Club.  Back  in  November,  1922,  he  was  flight  testing  an  MB- 3 A air- 
plane at  Seattle,  Wash.,  indulging  in  acrobatics  at  an  altitude  of  about '4500 
feet,  when  a terrific  crash  followed  the  moment  the  plane  was  placed  in  a 
right  roll.  Looking  back,  Lieut.  Tyndall  had  the  sickening  sensation  of  view- 
ing his  upper  and  , lower  wings  floating  away  at  about  his  own  level  a consider- 
able .distance  in  the  rear.  Although  he  had  no  previous  experience  in  parachute 
jumping,  he  lost  no  time  in  releasing  his  safety  belt,  following  which  he 
rolled  out  of  the  cockpit  and, after  falling  what  he  judged  to  be  about  100  feet, 
he  pulled  the  rip  cord.  Almost  immediately  the  parachute  opened  \7ith  a consi- 
derable jerk  and  he  started, . what  seemed  to  him,  a slow  descent  earthward. 

After  being  thrown  against  some  telephone  wires  he  landed  on  a plank  road  with 
no  ill.  effects. 

Lieut.  Tyndall  was  buried  with  full  military  honors  in  Arlington  National 
Cemetery  on  Saturday,  July  19th.  Four  planes,  piloted  by  Lieut s.  Stanley 
Umstead, . David  1.  Goodrich,  Thomas  D.  Ferguson  and -William  C.  Coleman,  of 
Bolling  Field,  D.C. , were  flown  over  the  cemetery- during  the  funeral  ceremony. 

oOo-: — 

..  Major  Lewis  H.  Brereton,  with  26  officers  and  17  ships  of  the  88th  Observa- 
tion,. Squadron,  arrived 'at  Fort  Crockett,  Texas,  recently  for  two  weeks  of  aerial 
gunnery.  There  are  no  facilities  at  Fort  Sill  for  tow  target  work,  hence  the 
trip. to  Galveston,  where  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  swallows  stray  bullets. 

-205-  V-6065,  A.C. 


■ CHANGES  IN  CURRICULUM  AT  AIR  CORPS  TECHNICAL  SCHOOL 

Announcing  a number  of  important  changes  in  the  curriculum  for  the  school 
year,  beginning  July  1,  1930,  Lieut,  William  M.  Lanagan,  Director  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  Mechanics,  Air  Corps  Technical  School,  Ghana te  Eield,  Rantoul,  111. , 
stated  recently  that  the  interests  of  the  service  ■will  he  better  served  by  the 
new  program  which  includes  a consolidation  of  the  present  courses  of  Engine 
Mechanics,  Airplane  Mechanics,  and  Crew  Chiefs  into  one  big  course  of  nine 
months*  duration  to  be  known  as  "Airplane  Mechanics." 

It  was  pointed  out  that  this  change  alone  will  greatly  increase  the  effi- 
ciency of  the  students  undergoing  this  training,  since  one  man  will  then  be  con- 
versant with  the .entire  airplane  and  its  engine,  eliminating  the  necessity  of 
having  a specialist  in  each  subject.  Present  personnel  conditions  in  tactical 
organizations  are  such  that  on  an  average  of  one  man  per  plane  is  available  to 
service  the  ship  and  keep  it  in  the  air.  Under  the  oid  system  an  engine  mechanic 
was  unable  to  make  adjustments  or  repairs  on  the  airplane  itself,  and  the  air- 
plane mechanic  was  at  a loss  to  keep  the  engine  properly  tuned.  The  new  plan 
does  away  with  this  condition,  the  new  course  completely  covering  the  essentials 
of  all  three  courses  previously  given. 

Other  changes  in  the  Department  of  Mechanics  include  the  separation  of  the 
Armament  Division  from  the  Department  of  Mechanics.  Lieut.  Arthur  G.  Hamilton 
has  been  placed  in  charge  of  the  reorganized  Armament  Department,  which  now 
functions  as  a separate  unit  of  the  school  and  is  not  in  any  way  connected  with 
the  mechanical  department. 

The  course  in  General  Mechanics-Aircraft  Welders,  covering  machine  shop 
practice  and  welding,  has  been  divided  into  two  distinct  courses,  one  going  under 
.the  name  of  Aircraft  Machinists  and  the  other  known  as  Aircraft  Welders. 

The  Parachute  Riggers'  course  remains  unchanged  except  that  the  output  will 
be  doubled.  A new  class  of  ten  men  will  start  in  this  course  every  month,  with 
the  exception  of  August  and  February,  whereas  heretofore  classes  have  started 
every  other  month. 

As  a result  of  the  various  changes  made  in  the  School,  the  yearly  student 
output  will  be  raised  from  about  440  to  55C  in  the  Department  of  Mechanics  alone. 
Thirty  students  will  compose  each  class  of  the  new  Airplane  Mechanics'  course,  a 
new  class  starting  every  month,  exce-pt  August  and  October.  School  activities 
will  be  suspended  in  August  for  summer  vacations  and  repairs  and  a student 
officers'  class  in  Airplane  Maintenance  Engineering  will  be  started  in  October. 
This  class  will  accommodate  thirty  officers  and  extend  over  a period  of  nine 
months.  The  course  will  cover  the  essentials  of  every  mechanical  course  on  the 
field. 

oOo 

CORPS  AREA  COMMANDER  COMMENDS  AIR  CORPS  COOPERATION 

Apropos  of  the  Exposition  and  Tournament  recently  held  in  Chicago,  111., 
Major-General  Frank  Parker,  Commanding  General  of  the  Sixth  Corps  Area,  address- 
ed the  following  letter  to  Major-General  James  E„.  Fechet,  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps: 

" * * * The  Air  Force  was  the  backbone  of  our  Ex-position  and  Tournament 
and  has  reflected  the  greatest  credit  upon  itself  and  the  Army  in  general.  I 
believe  that  the  interest  created  by  the  performance  and  by  the  conduct  of  the 
officers  and  men  of  the  force  participating  will  be  of  incalculable  benefit  to 
the  Air  force  and  to  the  Army  in  general. 

I shall  send  in  commendations  for  all  those  members  whose  work  so  greatly 
contributed  to  the  success  of  our  Tournament. 

Above  all  I ‘wish  to  express  to  you  the  deep  appreciation  of  this  Headquarters 
for  your  energetic  support  of  our  program  and  to  assure  you  again  that  your 
assistance  constituted  the  backbone  of  the  Tournament. 

I am  sorry  that  you  could  not  get  out  to  see  the  really  remarkable  ability 
of  your  force,  as  I am  sure  they  have  touched  the  high  water  mark  of  air  maneuver 
efficiency  during  our  Tournament.  The ir  spirit  was  on  a par  with  their  ability, 
and  they  have  left  a great  impression  on  this  community. " 

— oOo— 

During  the  Maneuvers  of  the  2nd  Division  at  Charlotte  , Texas , the  personnel 
of  Dodd  Field,  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas,  spent  five  days  performing  continuous  re- 
connaissance, liaison  and  observation  missions  under  simulated  wartime  conditions. 
The _ problem  required  the  participation  of  90$  of  the  command,  consisting  of  25 
officers  and  115  enlisted  men  and  the  entire  flying  materiel  of  the  organization, 
,i>o,.  , 7 02-H  planes,  3 PT~3  pianos,  one  C-l-C  and  one  DoHaviland, 

-206- 


V-6065,  A.C. 


KANSAS  ' cm  RESERVISTS  PARTICIPATE  IN  AIRPORT  DEDICATION 
Jfy  the  News  Letter  Correspondent 

Five  PT-l’s  and  two  0-11  * s crossed  the-  State  of  Missouri  on  June  28th  to 
attend  the  opening  of  the  Curtiss-Wright  Airport  In  East  St.  Louis,  The  new 
airport  is  certainly  an  improvement  over  any  other  airport  in  St,  Louis,  Con- 
crete runways,  wonderful  brick  hangars  and,  best  of  all,  only  about  ten  minutes 
from  the  heart  of  St.  Louis,  Mo,,  the  field  being  just  across  the  river  on  the 
Illinois  side  near  the  municipal  bridge.  As  hosts  the  Curtiss-Wright  people  are  \ 
all  that  may  he  desired,  just  one  hundred  percent.  Major  Tally  took  a personal 
interest  in  seeing  that  the  officers  and  men  from  Richards  Eield  were  properly 
entertained  and  made  comfortable. 

As  usual,  our  C.O. , Captain  William  B.-  Wright,  Air  Corps,  wag  here,  there 
and  everywhere,  meeting  old  friends  and  greeting  new  ones,  and  taking  care  of 
all  necessary  details. 

It  was  our  pleasure,  while  in  St.  Louis,  to  be  afforded  the  opportunity  of 
meeting  Mrs.  Wright,  the  Captain* s wife;  his  aunt,  Miss  Kelley,  and  his  son 
Billy,  Jr,  Since  taking  command  of  Richards  Eield  in  Kansas  City  several  months 
ago,  Mrs.  Wright  has  been  visiting  in  the  south,  and  driving  through  to  Kansas 
City  she  stopped  at  St.  Louis  and  had  dinner  with  the  bunch. 

The  Squadron  started  back  for  Kansas  City  the  next  afternoon  at  about  2:00 
p.m. , refueling  at  Columbia,  Mo.  It  was  a rather  hectic  trip  on  the  way  back, 
strong  headwinds  being  encountered,  storms,  and  the  tail  end  of  a near  hurricane. ; 
There  were  no  forced  landings,  however,  and  all  planes  arrived  in  Kansas  City 
in  time  for  dinner-  in  the;  evening. 

Those  participating  in  the  flight  were  Captain  William  B.  Wright , Air 
Corps;  Sfe-jo.r  John  P.  Beeson,  Medical  Corps,  our  Plight  Surgeon,  who  has  a pilot's 
rating;.. and  the  following  Air  Corps  Reserve  officers:  Captains  John  W.  Ranson, 
William  E.  Long,  George  T . Long,  William  P.  Eord,  Erancis  Poindexter,  1st  Lieut s. 
Harry  Betz  and  Wofford  E.  Lewis,  2nd  Lieut s.  A.D.  Hillman,  Ben.  A.  Sweeney  and 
Henry  G.  Stahl,  also  Privates  Micek  and  Chandler • 

-- — oOo— 

TALKIES  AT  MARCH  EIELD 

March  Eield,  Riverside,  Calif.,  is  one  of  the  two  stations  on  the  Pacific 
Coast  to  be  equipped  with  a talking  motion  picture . machine . The  motion  picture 
theatre  has  been  reconstructed,  maiding  it  as  nearly  sound  proof  as  possible. 

All  the  latest  features  are  shown  at  this  theatre,  and  the  projection  apd  sound 
effects  are  as  efficient  as  those  of  the  large  city  houses.  As  a result  of  this 
installation,  the  nightly  attendance  of  personnel  of  the  field  has  been  materially 
increased. 

■ — -oOo 


MARCH  EIELD  AIRMEN  ATTEND  RANDOLPH  EIELD  DEDICATION 

A flight  of  nine  airplanes  took  off  from  March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif.,  on 
June  18th  for  Kelly  Eield,  Texas,  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  the  occupants  there- 
of to  attend  the  dedication  of  the  new  flying  school  at  Randolph  Eield.  The 
pilots  and  passengers  were  as  follows: 


Pilot 

Maj or  M . • E . Harmon,  Air  Corps 
1st  Lieut.  B.T.  Castor,  Air  Corps 
2nd  Lieut.  W.B.  Blaufuss,  Air  Corps 
1st  Lieut.  James  D.  Givens,  Air  Corps 
2nd  Lieut.  E.  C . Wolfe,  Air  Corps 
2nd  Lieut.  A.L.  Moore,  Air  Corps 
1st  Lieut.  W.A.-  Maxwell,  Air  Corps 
1st  Lieut.  R.B.  Williams,-  Air-  Corps 
2nd  Lieut.  J.C.  Crosthwaite,  Air  Corps 

- — oOo— 


Passenger 
Miss  Randolph 
Sergeant  Dean 

2nd  Lieut.  F.J.  Lauer,  Air  .Corps 

Master  Sergeant  Kelly 

Captain  Cowan,  Dental  Corps,-,- . 

Staff  Sergeant  Jarvis 

Lieut.  Brown,  Air  Corps.  Reserve  '.. 

1st  Lieut.  C.H.  Bowman,  Air  Corps 

Staff  Sergeant  Mick 


The  "Dawn  to  Dusk"  flight  of  the  Third  Attack  Group  from  Galveston,  Texas, 
to  Chicago,  111.,  proved  a great  success,  the  planes  arriving  at  the  mid- west 
metropolis  fifteen  minutes  ahead  of  time.  The  Attackers  participated  in  the- 
Military  Tournament  and  Exposition  held  at  Soldier  Field  the  last  week  of  June. 

-207-  V-6065,  A.G. 


OBSERVATION  PILOTS  QUALIFY  IN  AERIAL  OUNNERY 

Pilots  of  the  2nd  Observation  Squadron,  stationed  at  Nichols  Field,  P.I., 
recently  completed  their  aerial  gunnery  work  for  the  year.  Of  ten  pilots  who 
completed  the  record  course,  five  qualified  as  expert  aerial  gunner,  four  as 
aerial  sharpshooters,  and  one  as  aerial  marksman.  Lieut.  Charles  Backes  made 
the  high  score  of  882,  with  Lieut.  Augustine  F.  Shea  and  Captain  Benjamin  F. 

Giles  close  Behind  with  854  and  846,  respectively.  Lieut.  Shea,  Being  on  detach- 
ed service  during  the  firing  of  the  aerial  targets,  did  not  fire  in  this  event 
But  had  sufficient  points  in. the  other  two  events  to  make  expert. 

Of  three  observers  firing  the  Record  Course,  Lieut.  Graves  was  the  only  one 
to  qualify,  making  a score  of  810  points  for  Expert.  The  latest  change  in  T.R. 
440-40  was  received  at  Nichols  Field  after  the  firing  at  ground  targets  had  Been 
completed.  A number  of  pilots  who  had  Been  congratulating  themselves  on  making 
Expert,  without  the  necessity  of  firing  at  the  aerial  targets,  were  sadly  disap- 
pointed; at  the  raise  in  the  qualification  score. 

' 1 — oOo— 

^ PAINT  JOB  REMOVES  PET  .“JINX”  . 

Some  airplane  pilots,  like  the  majority  of  professional  Baseball  players, 
have  their  pet  "jinx.11  Lieut.  Bob  Nowland , now  with  the  2nd  Observation  Squad- 
ron, stationed  at  Nichols  Field,  Rizal,  P.I.,  and  not  long  ago  Operations  Officer 
at  Bolling  Field,  evidently  has  a distinct  aversion  to  No.  13.  Three  Amphibians 
from  Nichols  .Field  recently  left  for  a tour  of  the  Southern  Islands.  Two  of  them 
returned  without  incident  But  the  third,  No.  13,  developed ’a  "Jinx”  on  the  trip, 
considerable  engine  trouble  Being  experienced.  On  the  return  trip  from  Zamboanga 
the  engine  quit  cold  on  the  Island  of  Negros.  After  a few  days  of  hard  labor  on 
the  part  of  Staff  Sergeant  P..G.  Smith,  the  mechanic,  and  a new  paint  job  by  Lieut, 
Nowland,  during  the  course  of  which  he  changed  the  number  to  130,  the  engine  de- 
cided to  run  and  the  plane  arrived  at  Nichols  Field  without  further  incident. 

oOo — ■-  ' 

TECHNICAL  SCHOOL  STUDENTS  STAGE  RADIO  DEMONSTRATION 

An  interesting  feature  of  the  Military  Tournament  and  Exposition  conducted 
at  Chicago,  111.  , between  June  21st  and  29th,  was  furnished  by  members  of  the 
officers*  class  from  the  Department  of  Communications,  Air  Corps  Technical 
School,  Chanute  Field,  Rantoul,  111.,  this  class  consisting  of  Lieuts.  Robert  L. 
Schoenlein,  Donald  R.  Lyon,  Roland  O.S.  Akre  and  Lindsay  M.  Bhwsel,  under  the 
direction  of  Lieut.  A.B.  Pitts,  Director  of  the  Department,  assisted  by  Lieuts. 

E.  S.  Moon  and  L.D.  Frederick,  Senior  Instructors  in  the  Department. 

The  Tournament  Publicity  and  Program  Committee  requested  the  Department  of 
Communications  of  the  Air  Corps  Technical  School  to  cooperate  with  them  by  send- 
ing to  Chicago  radio  equipped  planes  for  the  purpose  of  giving  demonstrations  of 
the  direction  of  airplane  maneuvers  by  radio,  as  well  as  advertising  the  Tourna- 
ment through  the  novel  means  of  airplane  radio  broadcast. 

The  cooperation  of  a Chicago  broadcasting  station  (W.L.S.)  was  obtained. 

This  station,  by  placing  a receiver  and  pick-up  apparatus  in  the  stadium  at  Soldi*. 
Field,  where  the  Tournament  was  held,  and  connecting  this  apparatus  to  the  stadiui. 
public  address  system  as  well  as  to  their  transmitter,  was  able  to  broadcast  and 
simultaneously  permit  the  stadium  audience  to  hear  all  the  conversation  between 
■the  stadium  announcer  and  the  airplane. 

Upon  being  assigned  to  this  mission,  the  officers* . Communications  Class  made 
their  own  installation  of  airplane  and  radio  apparatus,  flew  these  planes  to 
Chicago,  and  during  the  Tournament  period  conducted -successful  missions  twice 
daily.  Their  maneuvers  over  the  stadium  and  the  broadcasting  of  their  conversa- 
tion with  the  stadium  announcer  and  the  several  studios  of  the  broadcasting  sta- 
tion attracted  widespread  attention,  was  enthusiastically  received  by  the  radio 
and  stadium  audience,  and  served  as  a unique  and  effective  means  of  advertising 
the  Tournament, 

The  success  of  the  numerous  missions,  as  well  as  the  two-way  communications 
between  Chanute  Field  and  the  planes  over  Chicago,  indicates  the  thoroughness  of 
the  instruction  and  demonstrates  to  a high  degree  the  efficiency  and  application 
of  the  individual  members  of  the  1929-30  Officers8  Class  in  Communications. 

-208-  V-6065,  A.C. 


RADIO  STUDENTS  GRADUATE  WHILE  FLYING 

The  1929-1930  Officers®  Class,  Communications,  Air  Corps  Technical  School, 
Chanute  Field,  Rantoul,  111,,  consisting  of  2nd  Lieut s.  Sp&rhawk,  Schoenlein, 
Lyon,  Bawsel  and  Akre,  under  the  supervision  of  1st  Lieut*  E.  S.  Moon,  were 
detailed  on  detached  duty  from  June  18th  to  June  29th,  "both  dates  inclusive, 
in  connection  with  the  Military  Show  and  Exposition  held  at. Chicago,  111., 
for  the  "benefit  of  the  Army  Relief  Association. 

Ordinarily,  the  phase  of  instruction  in  the  Communications  course  during 
this  period  would  have  "been  a continuation  of  airplane  radio  'installation  and 
operation.  Consequently,  when  orders  .were  received  to  dispatch  two  radio- 
equipped  airplanes  to  Chicago  to  radio  broadcast  through  a commercial  broadcast- 
ing station  for  the  imrpose  of  advertising  the  War  Show  and  Exposition  prior  to 
and  during  the  afternoon  and  evening  performances,  the  Officers®  Class  in  Com- 
munications was  selected,  since  the  work  they  would  be  required  to  perform  in- 
volved only  a slight  departure  from  their  regular  schedule. 

Saturday,  June  28th,  was  their  graduation  date,  and, as  they  were  away  on 
detached  service  and  were  performing  several  radio  missions  on  that  date,  ar- 
rangements were  made  with  the  Chicago  Broadcasting  Station  (W.L.S.)  of  the 
Prairie  Farmer  firm,  to  conduct  the  graduation  exercises  during  the  afternoon 
performance  of  the  War  Show.  Telegrams  from  the  Commandant  and  Assistant  Com- 
mandant of  the  Air  Corps  Technical  School  were  read  over • the  microphone  of.  the 
W.L.S.  station,  received- and  acknowledged  by"  the  students  of  the.  Communications 
Course  while  flying  over  the  vicinity  of  Soldier  Field  in  the  Chicago>  Stadium. 

Each  of  the  graduates  were  celled  upon  for  remarks  pertaining  to;  their 
course  of  instruction.  The  students  replied  quickly  one  by  one  and,  finally, 
two  of  the  radio  'performers  in  the;  studio  of  Station  W.L.S.  sang  congratulations, 
thus  concluding  the  graduation  exercises.  . 

The  two-way  conversations  all  went  out  over  the  radio  and  prompted  a gener- 
ous response  in  the  form  of  a voluminous  stack. of  mail  for  the  Communications 
Course  graduates,  who  participated  in  the  successful  War  Show  and  Exposition.-'. 

— oOo— 

SMALL  ARMS  TRAINING  COURSE  FOR  WRIGHT  FIELD  RESERVE  OFFICERS 


Under  the  leadership  of  Major  D.M.  Warner,  Specialist  Reserve,  a group  con- 
sisting of  about  fifty  Reserve  officers  at  Wright  Field  have  organized , for  train- 
ing in  small  arms  firing  for  the  purpose  of  qualifying  for  work  on  the  Dismounted' 
Pistol  Course  recently  completed  .at  the  Field.  The  organization  came  .about  at 
the  officers'  own  request,  made. late  last-  fall,  and  the  necessary  ammunition  was 
then  issued.  Actual  training,  however,  was  not  started  until  the v latter  part  of 
May,  as  the  target  range  was  not  completed  until  that  time. 

The  course  is  open  to  all  Reserve  officers  employed  at  Wright  Field,  and 

inactive  duty  credits  will  be  granted  in  proportion  to  the  time  spent  upon  it.. ; 

Since  several  branches  of  the  service  are  represented  and  many  of  the  officers 
had  had  no  previous  experience  on  the  firing  range,  all  stages  of  the  course  are 
being  given.  These  consist  of  "Mechanics  of  the  Colt  Automatic  .45  cal.  Service 
Pistol, "Theory  and  Practice  of  Sighting, " "Trigger  Squeezing  and  Range  Instruc- 
tion," "Preliminary  Firing  Practice , " "Firing  the  Record  Course  for  Qualification.' 

An  average  of  85  percent,  is  required  to  become  a Pistol  Expert,  78  percent  ' , 
for  a Pistol  Sharpshooter  and'  60  percent  for  a Pistol  Marksman.  Those  making.’ an 
average  of  less  than  60  percent  are  unqualified  for  any  of  the  above  ratings.  . 

The  following  Reserve  officers  have  qualified  to  date:  Pistol  Experts  - Major 
D.M.  Warner,  Captain  G.  R.  Larkin,  Lieut.  W.  L.  Boyd;  Pistol  Sharpshooters  - Capt. 
R.  S.  Von  Derail,  Lieuts.  H.E.  • Smith,  W.A.  Oswalt,.  H.  W.  Case,  E.  B.  Blount; 

Pistol  Marksmen  - Lieuts.  S.  Chapman,  G.P.  Young,  C.G.  Brown,  Capt.  A.F. . Wentzel, 
W.L.  Workman  and  Major  G.G.  Phillips.  . ,c  • 


Major  Warner  has  been. 'requested  by  the  officer  In  charge  of  the  Dayton  . 
District  to  select  a team  of  ten  officers  to  represent  this  district  in  competi- 
tive matches.  Instructors  in  the  course  are  Captain  C.F.: Hofstetter,  Ordnance, 
U.S.  Army,  stationed  at  Wright  Field,  and  Major  D.M.  Warner,  Specialist  Reserve, 
assistant  .to  Captain  Hofstetter  and  representing  the  officer  in  charge . of  the 
Dayton  District.  . ‘ 

Certificates  of  qualification  with. -the’ corresponding  medals  will  be  .-awarded 
all  those  who  qualify  for  any  of  the  three  grades,  Pistol  Expert,  Sharpshooter, 
or  Marksman.  Great  interest  in  the  work  is  being  taken  by  the  Wright  Field 


officers. 


-209- 


V-6065 , A. C. 


CATERPILLARS  PASS  THE  260  MARE 

As  far  as  is  known,  the  number  of  names  on  the  roster  of  the  Caterpillar 
Club  now  totals  253,  and  the  number  of  emergency  parachute  jumps  265.  The  new- 
comers on  the  roster,  since  the  activities  of  the  Club  were  reported  upon  in  the 
last  issue  of  the  Hews  Letter,  are  Miss  Ivfeiry  Fahrney,  student  pilot  Jack  Weis 
and  his  instructor,  Eller  C.  Sundorph,  1st  Lieut.  John  R.  Glascock  of  the  Army 
Air  Corps,  Garland  Peed,  Jimmy  Garringan  and  Randy  Enslow. 

The  circumstances  surrounding  Miss  Fahrney' s.  initiation  into  the  Caterpillar 
Club  were  rather  unusual.  As  a general  proposition  it  lias  been  the  -policy  of  the 
unofficial  historian  of  the  Club  to  inscribe  on  the  roster  the  names  of  only  such 
persons  who  saved  their  lives  by  jumping  with  a parachute  from  disabled  aircraft 
during  flight.  Mss  Fahrney  did  not  jump  from  a disabled  aircraft  but  made  a 
premediated  practice  jump.  Unfortunately,  her  parachute  became  entangled  in  the 
plane,  and  for  two  unhappy  hours  she  dangled  beneath  it  before  her  parachute  un- 
tangled itself  and  glided  her  down  to  safety. 

Eive  years  ago  the  first  woman  member  of  the  Caterpillar  Club,  Mrs . Irene 
McFarland , was  initiated  into  this  mythical  organization  under  somewhat  similar 
circumstances.  Mrs.  McFarland,  a professional  parachute  jumper,  was  arrested  in 
her  departure  from  the  airplane  when  her  own  private  parachute  failed  to  func- 
tion. Fortunately,  she  was  also  equipped  with  the  Army  type  parachute,  and  when 
the  pilot  of  the  plane  signalled  her  to  pu.ll  the  rip  cord  she  immediately  com- 
plied and  reached  the  ground  none  the  worse  for  her  experience. 

Since  a precedent  was  established  in  the  case  of  Mrs.  McFarland,  there  seems 
to  be  no  good  reason  for  refusing  enrollment  to  Miss  Fahrney.  While  it  is  possib? 
to  establish  hard  and  fast  rules  as  to  the  eligibility  of  candidates  for  admission 
into  the  Caterpillar  Club,  that  is,  limiting  membership  to  those  who  have  jumped 
with  a parachute  from  disabled  aircraft  during  flight,  it  must  be  remembered  that 
this  Club  has  no  official  status  and  no  set  rules  have  been  formulated  with 
respect  to  the  eligibility  of  candidates  for  admission  therein.  After  all,  the 
main  point  at  issue  would  seem  to  be  that  of  a life  being  saved  through  the 
medium  of  the  parachute. 

It  may  be  assumed  that  when  the  Caterpillar  Club  was  organized,  the  life- 
saving propensity  of  the  parachute  was  no  doubt  the  main  consideration  which 
prompted  the  founders  thereof  to  begin  recording  the  names  of  those  whose  lives 
it  saved.  In  this  connection,  there  is  recalled  to  mind  another  unusual  incident 
which  resulted  in  the  inclusion  of  the  name  of  a professional  -parachute  jumper, 
Art  Smertz,  on  the  roster  of  the  Club.  After  launching  himself  into  space  from 
considerable  altitude,  his  purpose  being  to  establish  a record  for  a free  fall 
before  opening  his  chute,  Smertz’ s private  parachute  collapsed  when  he  opened  it. 
Fortunately  for  him,  he  was  also  equipped  with  the  Army  type  parachute,  and  he 
retained  sufficient  presence  of  mind  to  pull  the  rip  cord  of  that  chute  despite 
the  fact  that  his  body  received  a tremendous  shock  through  the  malfunctioning  of 
his  own  chute  when  his  fall  was  momentarily  arrested.  He  was  unconscious  when  he 
reached  the  ground,  but  was  himself  again  after  a brief  stay  in  a hospital. 

Miss  Fahrney' s experience  on  July  7th  was  recorded  ip}  a United  Press  dispatch 
as  follows: 

"Much  to  the  joy  that  was  Mary  Fahrney's  today  because  of  her  miraculous  es- 
cape from  death  was  lost  in  the  realization  that  her  friend,  Rruno  Schustek,  a 
parachute  jumper,  had  lost  his  life  attempting  to  save  hers. 

Helpless  in  a tangled  parachute,  Miss  Fahrney  dangled  yesterday  for  two  hour: 
below  a plane  from  which  she  had  attempted  to  jump  at  the  Joliet  airport.  She 
could  not  pull  herself  up  to  the  plane  and  had  given  up  hope  that  she  would  land 
alive  when  the  parachute  untangled  itself,  opened  and  drifted  gently  to  earth. 

Miss  Fahrney  did  not  know  until  some  time  later  that  Schustek  had  been  kille< 
after  attempting  to  save  her.  While  his  plane  flew  above  hers  at  a height  of 
1,000  feet  he  attempted  to  rescue  her  by  climbing  down  a knotted  rope.  Then  the 
unexpected  happened.  Her  ' chute  dropped  of  its  own  accord  and  she  wds  Saved, 
but  his  strength  was  gone  and  he  could  not  pull  himself  back  up  the  rope  to  his 
own  plane.  He  fell  from  a height  of  600  feet. 

The  parachute  jump  had  been  the  first  for  Miss  Fahrney,  who  had  been  a 
student  flyer  for  two  years.  Several  others  besides  Schustek,  who  was  a veteran 
jumper,  attempted  to  save  her. 

The  two  hours  she  spent  dangling  from  the  plane  seemed  like  days  to  her,  she 
said,  and  she  had  given  up  hope  and  was  begging  her  pilot,  L.F.  Kline,  to  take 
her  within  ten  feet  of  the  ground  and  let  her  jump,  when  her  'chute  untangled 
itself."  -210-  V-6065,A.O, 


Jack  Weis,  student  pilot,  and  Eiler  C.  Sundorph,  his  flying  instructor, 
were  initiated  into  the  Caterpillar  Club  on  June  28th,  when  their  plane  caught 
fire  2,000  feet  in  the  air,  two  miles  east  of  the  Cleveland  Airport.  Weis 
jumped  first  and  landed  safely.  Sundorph  waited  until  he  saw  Weis’  parachute 
open,  and  consequently  was  only  about  250  feet  up  when  he  followed,  but  likewise 
was  unhurt.  The  plane  was  demolished. 

First  Lieut.  John  R.  Glascock,  Air  Corps,  tells  the  following  interesting 
story  as  to  how  he  qualified  for  membership  in  the  Caterpillar  Club: 

"X  obtained  clearance  from  Post  Operations  Office  (March  Field)  for  airplane 
YPT-6,  AC  #30-378,  June  5,  1930,  and  took  off  about  1:40  p.m.,  and  flew  around 
for  about  ten  minutes  with  Sgt . Murdock  as  passenger.  I then  landed  and  took  off 
again  at  1:50  p.m.  with  Private  Stephen  Yazza  as  passenger,  who  was  authorized  to 
make  the  flight  to  get  in  his  flying  time  for  the  month.  I gained  an  altitude  of 
about  2500  feet.  I tried  two  rolls  and  wingovers,  then  nosed  the  plane  down 
slightly  for  a slow  roll.  I used  top  rudder  and  forward  stick,  and  it  is  my 
belief  that  the  elevator  welds  broke,  because  the  plane  instead  of  staying  on 
its  back  turned  into  a violent  outside  spin. 

Ho  pressure  on  the  controls,  either  rudder  or  elevator  was  noticeable.  I 
tried  opposite  rudder,  back  stick,  forward  elevator,  with  no  diminution  of  speed 
or  cessation  of  continuous  movement  of  plane.  I tried  with  power  off  and  power 
on.  I knew  at  approximately  1800  feet  it  would  be  impossible  to  get  this  plane 
out  of  the  particular  maneuver  it  was  in  at  that  time.  The  outside  spin  was 
very  rapid  and  the  nose  was  only  about  three  degrees  below  horizontal  position, 
directly  on  its  back.  I looked  in  the  mirror  but  could  not  see  the  passenger  in 
the  back  seat  at  any  time,  and  shouted  for  him  to  ’bail  out.*  The  rest  of  the 
time  between  1800  feet  and  500  feet  above  the  ground  I was  busy  with  the  con- 
trols trying  to  get  response  from  the  airplane.  Approximately  between  four  and 
five  hundred  feet  from  the  ground  I unbuckled  my  safety  belt  and  was  thrown  from 
the  plane  in  a horizontal  position,  slightly  up,  for  nearly  a hundred  yards.  I 
pulled  the  rip  cord  and  the  chute  opened  almost  instantaneously  with  a very  loud 
snap  and  intense  jerk.  I was  then  in  a position  facing  the  water  tower  of  the 
field,  and  my  body  was  parallel  with  the  middle  of  the  water  tank.  I landed 
hard,  fell  backwards,  .unbuckled  the  parachute  at  raps  and  immediately  proceeded 
to  the  plane,  which  had  crashed  within  two  hundred  feet  of  where  I landed,  and 
observed  that  Private  Yazza  was  still  in  the  plane  and  there  was  so  signs  of 
life  in  his  body.'* 

Garland  Peed  and  Jimmy  Garringan,  pilots,  and  Randy  Enslow,  radio  technician 
were  the  occupants  of  the  Stinson  Monoplane  K,  in  which  they  were  attempting  to 
make  a nonstop  refueling  flight  from  II ew  York  to  Buenos  Aires,  Argentina.  On 
the  morning  of  July  16th,  low  visibility  and  a sticky  fog  down  the  seaboard 
forced  the  fliers  over  Georgia’ s inland,  and  the  fuel  which  they  hoped  would  take 
them  to  Havana  was  wasted  as  they  flew  blindly. 

"For  eight  hours  last  night  we  couldn’t  oven  see  our  wing  tips,"  Peed  said. 
"About  9 a.m.  things  cleared  up  a bit,  but  still  we  couldn’t  see  anything.  The 
K went  out  of  control  with  hex  gas  gone.  I knew  a forced  landing  would  be 
dangerous,  as  I had  no  idea  where  we  were,  so  we  jumped.  You  can  bet  that 
Georgia  felt  good  under  our  feet." 

Residents  of  Post  wick,  which  is  about  60  miles  east  of  Atlanta,  Ga.  , saw  the 
ship  plunge  and  the  men  leap.  They  found  the  fliers  uninjured  and  inspecting 
their  plane.  They  were  taken  to  Bostwick  and  thence  to  Monroe,  Ga.  The  K left 
Roosevelt  Field  on  July  15th  with  a light  load  of  gasoline  and,  after  refueling 
above  the  field,  headed  for  Havana  for  another  contact.  The  trim  monoplane 
skimmed  down  the  seaboard  until  nightfall  when  she  encountered  the  fog.  For 
hours,  the  fliers  sought  their  bearings  and,  at  dawn,  found  themselves  over  land. 
They  had  been  blown  westward. 

The  airmen  landed  without  a scratch,  but  their  ship  plowed  into  the  ground 
about  half  a mile  away  and  was  demolished. 

Through  tojor  Stanley  W.  Jacques,  Air  Corps  Reserve,  the  particulars  were 
secured  regarding  the  forced  -parachute  jump  made  by  to.  Robert  G.  Chew  at  Valley 
Stream,  L.I.,  Hew  York,  on  May  18th  last.  to.  Chew’s  story  is  as  follows: 

"At  7:15  o’clock,  Sunday  evening,  May  18th,  I, was  test  flying  the  ’Mercury 
Chick'  at  Valley  Stream.  1 took  off  and  climbed  to  approximately  1500  feet, and 
did  some  vertical  banks,  wing  overs,  loops  and  snap  rolls.  After  finishing 
these  maneuvers,  I tried  a vertical  reversement  without  success.  I then  went  on 
up  to  3500  feet  and  started  to  do  a slow  roll.  Just  before  getting  over  on  my 
back,  a fitting  on  the  front  strut  on  the  leading  edge  of  the  right  wing  gave 
way,  causing  the  entire-  wing  to  collapse.  The  ship  started  into  a slow  flat 
spin,  -and  I immediately  started  to  jump.  In  order  to  get  out  of  the  ship,  I had 

-211-  V-6065 , A.C. 


to  push  the  wing  forward,  as  it  had  slid  back  over  the  rear  cockpit  when  it 
collapsed. 

What  happened  in  the  next  £ew;moments  is  not  clear  in  my  mind.  I remember 
standing  up  on  the  seat  with  one  foot  and  the  other  foot  on  top  of  the  wing,  then 
diving  over  the  side.  To  say  I was  frightened  would  be  putting  it  mildly. 

After  making  two  and  one-half  complete  revolutions,  end  over  end,  I palled 
the  rip  cord  and  the  chute  opwned  perfectly.  X looked  up  over  the  edge  of  the 
chute , and  saw  the  ship  was  coming  toward  me  rapidly,  and  in  an  endeavor  to  get 
away  from  it  slipped  the  chute,  which  proved  successful.  The  falling  plane 
missed  me  by  about  fifty  feet.  I heaved  a sigh  of  relief  as  the  ship  went  crash- 
ing into  a grove  of  trees  below.  My  descent  was  very  slow,  and  the  thing  that 
surprised  me  most  was  how  quiet  everything,  seemed  to  be. 

As  I floated  down,  I noticed  I was  heading  for  the  same  grove  of  trees  the 
ship  had  crashed  into.  Again,  X slipped  the  chute  and  succeeded  in  missing  the 
trees,  landing  into  a sme.ll  opening  without  a scratch. 

The  last  drop  to  the  ground  was  nothing  more  than  jumping  off  an  object  about 
four  or  five  feet  from  the  ground.'* 

— - 0O0 

KANSAS  CITY  RESERVISTS  ACCUMULATE  FLYING  TIME 

The  News  Letter  Correspondent  from  Richards  Field,  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  points 
with  pride  to  the  fact  that  during  the  months  of  May  and  June,  since  Captain  Wm. 

B.  Wright  has  had  charge  of  the  Reserves  in  Kansas  City,  a total  of  593  hours 
were  flown.  He  invites  comparison  of  that  record  with  any  other  post  in  the  7th 
Corps  Area. 

Reporting  that  Major  Hickam,  Air  Corps,  recently  stopped  over  in  Kansas  City 
to  visit  them,  also  a number  of  other  Army  officers,  the  Correspondent  states  that 
the 'latch  string  on  Room  205,  President  Hotel,  the  headquarters  of  the  Air.  Corps 
Reserve  Officers  Association,  is  always  hanging  out,  and  all  Air  Corps  officers 
are  cordially  invited  to  drep  in; 

pOo--- 

MODERN  RADIO  EQUIPMENT  FOR  AIRCRAFT 

The  Bell  Telephone  Company  recently  gave  a demonstration  of  modern  radio 
equipment  for  aircraft,  at  Mitchel  Field,  L.I.,  New  York,  and  the  results  achieved 
were  very  satisfactory. 

Their  equipment  consisted  of  a portable  ground  station  in  a truck,  a Ford 
Transport  plane  and  a Fairchild  plane.  Each  passenger,  as  well  as  the  pilot,  had 
a headset  and  microphone,  so  that  all  signals  were  heard  by  everyone  in  the  plane. 
To  give  an  idea  of  how  this  equipment  is  used  in  the  commercial  transport  com- 
panies, weather  reports  were  received  from  Hadley  Field  while  the  ship  was  in  the 
air,  and  the  passengers  conversed  freely  with  the  ground. 

The  airplane  set  weighs  only  130  pounds  and  is  very  effective  up  to  distances 
under  500  miles,  with  no  interference  from  the  engine  ignition  system  or  other 
common  sources  of  trouble. 

— — oOo- — 

• A NEW  BAND  LEADER  AT  MITCHEL  FIELD 

Mitchel  Field,  N.Y,.,..  recently  welcomed  Warrant  Officer  Francis  E.  Lee,  who 
was  assigned  to  the  Ninth  Observation  Group'  in  the  capacity  of  Band  Leader. 

Warrant  Officer  Lee  has  22,  years  of  service  to  his  credit,  during  14  of 
which  he  has  served  as  a band  leader.  The  unusual  feature  regarding  his  service 
is  the  amount  of  foreign  service  to  his  credit.  In  1916  he  was  transferred  to 
the  Philippines,  where  he  served  until  the  World  War.  During  that  conflict  he 
served  in  Siberia.  In  1920  he  was  transferred  from  the  Philippines  to  China, 
where  he  was  attached  to  the  15, th  Infantry  and  served  until  1929,  when  he  return- 
ed to  the  States.  ; 

The  Mitchel  Field  Band  gives  a concert  every  Tuesday  afternoon,  and  the  News 
Letter  Correspondent  states  that  even  though  the  wind  is  in  the  right  direction 
for  one  to  hear  the  Whole  program  from  the  front  porch,  it  is  well  to  drop  over 
to  the  band  stand  and  get  in  on  an  excellent  program. 

• ^ ; ' 1 -212- 


V-6065,  A.C. 


T1EWTRAINING  MANUAL  TO, be  issued 

The  final  draft  of.  Training  Maniial  2170-13  - '•The  Airplane.  Engine  Mechanic," 
•'recently  completed  at  the  Air  Corps  Technical  School  at  Chanute  Field,  Rantoul, 
111. ,. was  forwarded  to  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air.  Corps  for  printing. 

This  manual-  consists  of  469  pages,  with  154  illustration?,,  It  includes  the 
general  construction,  repair  and  maintenance  of  airplane  engines,  together  with 
specific  information  relative  to  the  construction,  repair- and  maintenance  of 
standard  types  of  present  airplane  engines  and  their  accessories.  This  manual 
will  no  doubt  be  in  -print  in  the  near  future. 

oOo — — 

LOOKING  INTO- THE  FUTURE 

Each  year  engineers  strive  to  increase  the  speed  of  the  airplane,  as  well 
as  the,  ceiling  or  maximum  height  at  which  it  can  fly.  Each  year  some  new  record 
in  speed  or  altitude  is  broken.  What  will  the  ultimate.be  in  these  directions? 

Will  man,  upon  the  attainment  of  these  ultimates,  then  devote  his  energies 
to  overcoming  the  gravity  of  this  earth  of  ours  and  to  developing  an  interplane- 
: t ary  vehicle?  And  suppose  there  was .developed  an  interplanetary  vehicle  capable 
of  flight  between  the  planets.  What  then? 

Then  suppose  that  this  machine  or  device  whs  capable  of  flight  through  space 
at  the  rate  of  372,000  miles  -per  second,  or  twice  the  rate  of  the  speed  of  light, 
which  is  186,000  miles  per  second. 

One  day  someone  on  this  earth  is  .informed  that  this  machine  has  started  from 
•a  planet  a light-year  away  from  the  earth.  It  is  headed  for  the  earth.  It 
whizzes  past  the  earth.  Naturally,  i.ts  speed  being  .twice  that  of  light,  it  has 
taken  only  six  months  for  it  to  come  .from  that  planet  and  go  past  the  earth.  The 
question  is,  what  will  the  observer.- on  earth  see?  . 

Will  the  machine  go  past' the  earth  before  he  ever  see.s  it'?  That  is,  will  it 
reach  the  earth  before  its.  light  does? 

The  answer  is  that  for'  a period  ~of  six  months  the  observer  will  see  this 
machine.  He  will  sta.rt  seeing  it  when  it  has  passed  the  earth.  It  will  appear 
as  if  the  machine,  was  traveling-  backwards  toward  the  planet  from  the  earth. 

Now  suppose  that  the  observer  is  not  informed  .of.  the  start  of  the  machine, 
but  sees  it  suddenly  appear.  Will  he  see.  it  appear : coming  from  the  planet  or 
will  he  .suddenly  see  it  as  it  patsses  the  earth  and  then.. see  it  apparently  going 
backward  toward  the  planet,  off . into  space? 

These  questions  hardly  pertain  to  aeronautics  .but  are  just  samples  of  many 
asked  the  Information  Division  of  the. Office  of  the. Chief  of  the  Air  Corps. 
Perhaps  the  answers . to  the  above  are  incorrect.  At  any  rate,  the  Editor  of  the 
News  Letter  would  like  to  hear  the  answers  from  those  who  differ  with  him  on 
this  problem. 

oOo 

SELFRIDGE  FIELD  UNITS  MOVE  TO  SCOTT  FIELD 

•She  15th  Observation  Squadron,  commanded  by  Captain  Wolcott  P.  Hayes,  Air 
Corps,,  and  the  5th  Photo  Section,  commanded  by  Captain  William  D.  Wheeler,  Air 
Corps,  recently- completed  their  move,  from  Selfridge  Field,  Mt.  Clemens,  Mich., 
to  Scott  Field,.  Belleville,  111.  , with-  their 'entire  equipment. 

— -oOo— 

PHOTOGRAPHIC  OFFICERS  PERFORM  PRACTICAL  AIR  WORK 

Prior  to  the  graduation  on  July  14 th  of  the  Photographic  Officers'  Class 
at  .the. Air  Corps  Technical  School,  Chanute  Field,  Rantoul,  111.,  the  students 
flew  to  the  Materiel  Division  at  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  they  completed 
a four-day  study  in  the  latest  developments  in  aerial  gunnery.  Daring  the  last 
few  days  of  instruction  at : the  Photographic  School , work  was  performed  in  the 
field  with  the  new  photographic  trucks.  Mosaics  were  flown  shortly  after  eight 
o'clock,  and  the  completed  mosaics  delivered  to  the  school  shortly  after  noon 
of  the  same  day.  On  the  first  day  it  was  necessary  to  use  tropical  developers, 
hardening  baths  and  quick  drying  methods  because  of  the  hot  weather  conditions, 
which  at  times  reached  a temperature  of  100  degrees  in  the  shade. 

The  first  night  aerial  photographic  map  uas  recently  made  by  the  photogra- 
phic School  in  connection  with  the  training  of  student  officers. 

-213-  V-6065,  A.C. 


INSTRUMENT  PLYING  ON  CROSS  COUNTRY . TRIP  • 


During  the  course  of  an  extended  cross-country  flight  from  Brooks  Field, 
San  Antonio,  Texas,  to  Schenectady,  New  York,  and  return,  recently  made  "by 
Captain  W.C.  Ocker  and  1st  Lieut.  Carl  J.  Crane,  Air  Corps,  that  portion  of  the 
trip  "between  Brooks  Field  and  Dayton,  Ohio,  was  used  by  the  former  to  test  the 
practicability  of  fairly  long  flights  executed  by  instruments  alone. 

In  his  report  covering  this  flight.  Captain  Ocker  states,  with  reference 
to  the  flight  by  instruments,  that  "at  no  time  during  this  flight  was  I off  the 
course  more  than  twenty  miles.  That  portion  of  the  flight  between  Scott  Field 
and  Wright  Field  was  flown  under  very  rough  air  conditions,  and  when  the 
Mississippi  River  was  crossed  I was  approximately  twenty  miles  off  the  marked 
airways  course.  It  is  thought  that  training  in  instrument  flying  of  the  nature 
used  in  this  flight  would  be  of  value  to  all  Air  Corps  pilots  and  perhaps  have 
some  bearing  on  tactical  missions  performed  by  bombardment  aviation." 

Captain  Ocker  stated  that  the  various  fields  visited  during  the  course  of 
their  flight  were  in  excellent  condition  for  heavi e r- than-air  craft;  that  the 
airport  at  Schenectady,  New  York,  is  well  located  three  miles  northeast  of  the 
city,  and  has  two  runways  approximately  1,200  feet  in  length.  The  runways  are 
not  paved,  but  the  field  seems  to  be  well  drained  and  in  good  condition. 

The  flight  was  made  in  a Douglas  BI-1  plane,  and  the  points  touched  by 
the  Army  airmen  were  Muskogee,  Oklahoma;  Scott  Field,  111.;  Wright  Field,  Ohio; 
Bolling  Field,  D.C.;  Mitchel  Field,  N.Y.;  Schenectady,  N.Y.;  Philadelphia,  Pa.; 
and  return  to  Brooks  Field  via  the  same  route  followed  in  the  outbound  trip. 

0O0 


WRIGHT  FIELD  MECCA  FOR  COMMERCIAL  AVIATION  REPRESENTATIVES 

In  recent  weeks  the  following  manufacturers 1 representatives  visited 
the  Ihteriel  Division  at  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  for  consultation  with  vari- 
ous officers  and  engineers: 

Burnham  Adams,  Yfright  Aeronautical  Corporation,  Paterson,  N.J. 

T.E.  Tillinghast  anu  W.A.  Parkins,  Pratt  & Whitney  Aircraft  Company, 
Hartford,  Conn. 

F.W.  Caldwell,  former  chief  of  the  propeller  unit  of  Wright  Field,  and 
Raycroft  Walsh,  Hamilton  Propeller  Company,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

Captain  E.V.  Rickenbacker  and  Victor  Bertrandias,  Fok&er  Aircraft  Corpora- 
tion, New  York  City. 

C.  V.  Johnson,  Bendix  Brake  Company,  South  Bend,  Indiana. 

V.  E.  Showalter,  Elgin  National  Watch  Company,  Elgin,  111. 

F.  H.  Clewers,  Great  Lakes  Aircraft  Corporation,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

George  M.  Paulson,  B.G.  Spark  Plug  Corporation,  New  York  City. 

J.  V.  Jay  and  Don  R.  Berlin,  Northrop  Aircraft  Corp. , Burbank,  Calif. 

B.  Douglas  Thomas  and  Laurence  D.  Bell,  Thomas  Morse  Aircraft  Corooration, 
Buffalo,  N.Y. 

F.  P.  Somers , Fairchild  Company,  New  York. 

Arthur  Nutt  and  Guy  Vaughn.  Wright  Aeronautical  Corp. , Paterson,  N.J. 

G.  E.  Lawrence,  Pioneer  Instrument  Company,  Brooklyn,  N.Y. 

H.  L.  Lewis,  Boeing  Air  Transport  Co.,  Cheyenne,  Wyoming. 

0O0- — 


FLYING  PROVES  SAFER  THAN  MOTORING 


A recent  issue  of  the  Navy  News  Letter  gives  an  interesting  hit  of  sta- 
tistics compiled  at  the  U.S.  Naval  Air  Station,  San  Diego,  Calif.  The  article 
goes  on  to  say: 

"As  the  total  number  of  flying  hours  by  the  personnel  of  this  station  more 
nearly  equal  the  automobile  and  motorcycle  hours  than  is  the  case  in  civil  life, 
the  basis  for  comparison  of  accidents  caused  by  these  three  methods  of  trans- 
portation should  be  more  just  and  interesting.  During  the  past  16  months,  the 
record  of  accidents  are  as  follows: 


Automobiles 

Motorcycles 

Total 


Total  Cases 

21 

16 

37 

2 


Deaths 

1 

0 

1 

1 


Sick  Days 

319 

420 

739 

19 


Flying 


-214- 


Vp6065,  A.C. 


. ' ’’If  -the  records  of  this  station  are  accepted  as  a fair  basis  of  comparison, 
then  it  is  evident  that  transportation  by  air  is  far  safer  than  transportation 
; by  automobile  and  motorcycle." 

' 0O0 

BEWARE  OF  RADIO  TONERS  HEAR  RANDOLPH  FIELD 

Two  radio  towers,  the  property  of  the  Southern  Equipment  Company  of  San 
. • Antonio,  Texas,  which  operates  broadcasting  station  WQA.I,  were  recently  installed 
on  a 14-3/lO-acre  tract,  approximately  16§-  miles  northeast  of  San  Antonio  and 
-5/8  mile  south  of  the  village  of  Selma  on  the  Austin  highway,  and  three  miles 
northwest  of  Randolph  Field.  The  towers  are  300  feet  in  height,  spaced  750  feet 
apart,,  and  the  center  line  of  the  towers  is  exactly  450  feet  from  the  center 
line  of  the  Austin  paved  highway.  The  towers  are  painted  chrome  yellow,  white 
and  blade,  according  to  government  specifications,  and  are  illuminated  with  the 
required  number  of  red  obstruction  lights. 

The  site  of  the  radio-  station  is  between  the  Missouri,  Kansas  and  Texas  R.R. 
and  the  Southern  Pacific  R.R.,  the  former  being  approximately  !§■  miles  west  of 
the  location  and  the  latter  a little  over  three  miles  southeast. 

Tho  proximity  of  these  towers  to  Randolph  Field  is  called  to  tho  attention 
of  -pilots,  sinco  they  aro  difficult  to  soo  on  days  of  low  visibility. 

oOo 

FLYING-  STUDENTS  GOOFY  GOLF  FANS 

Not  to  bo  outdone  by  thoir  ground- walking  brothors  in  civil  lifo.  Flying 
Cadets  at  the  Air  Corps  Flying  Schools  in  Texas  arc  now  ardent  Pony- Golf  fans 
and  daily,  after  a hard  morning  in  the  air  and  a harder  afternoon  in  the  class 
rooms,  hie  themselves  to  the  miniature  courses  installed  at  thoir  respective 
fields.  The  course  at  the  Advanced  School  at  Kelly  Field  was  the  first  one  in- 
stalled, the  other  at  the  Primary  School  at  Brooks  Field  having  been  completed 
just  recently. 

v,  ■ No  reports  were  received  as  to  the  respective  designation  of  these  fields, 
whether' they  are  known  as  Goofy- Golf,  Pe e wee- Swat , or  whether  they  labor  under 
such  an  'official  name  as  Air  Corps  Flying  School  Miniature  Golf  Course.  In 
either  event,  the  game  is  the  same,  classed  more  as  a form  of  recreation  than 
athletics. 

From  a report  of  activities  of  the  Primary  Flying  School  at  March  Field, 
Riverside,  Calif.,  it  is  evident  that  the  miniature  golf  bag  has  not  yet  bitten 
the  student  flyers  there.  Perhaps  these  Westerners  are  He-men  and  take  more 
■ pride  in  the  following,  extracted  from  the  Monthly  Activities  Report  of  their 
station:  "Two  baseball  games  played  with  Rockwell  Field,  San  Diego.  Both  won 
by  March  Field  team." 

oOo 


FORMER  AIR  CORPS  ENLISTED  MAN  WINS  ELIMINATION  BALLOON  RACE 

Eiis  year  dame  fortune  refused  to  smile  on  the  Army  Balloonists  who  parti- 
. cipated  in  the  National  Elimination  Balloon  Race  which  started  from  Houston, 
Texas,  on  July  4th.  There  is  some  consolation,  however,  in  the  fact  that  a 
-former  enlisted  man  of  the  Air  Corps,  Roland  J.  Blair,  piloted  the  winning 
balloon.  Blair  and  Frank  A.  Trotter,  in  the  Goodyear-Zeppelin  balloon,  landed 
at  G-reensburg,  Ky. , late  Sunday  afternoon,  July  5th,  after  traversing  a distance 
of  approximately  850  miles. 

Second,  place  was  taken  by  Messrs.  Eddie  J.  Hill  and  his  aide,  Arthur  G-. 
Schlosser,  in  the  Detroit  Times  balloon;  They  landed  at  Russellville,  Ky. , 
some; 700  miles  from  Houston.  These  two  aeronauts  also  won  second  place  in 
the  National  Elimination  Race  last  year. 

. The  International  Balloon  Race , which  will  start  on  September  1st  next  from 
Cleveland,  Chip,  will  be  participated  in  by  the  two  American  teams,  above  men- 
tioned; and  by  Ward  T.  Van  Orman  and  his  aide,  by  virtue  of  their  victory  last 
year. 

Blair  served  a three-year  enlistment  with  the  light er-than-air  branch  of 
the  Army  Air  Corps,  from  November,  1923,  to  November,  1926,  being  a member  of 
the  8th  Airship  Company.  His  aide  was  formerly  a midshipman  in  the  United 
States  Navy. 


-215- 


V-6065,  A.C. 


RADIO.  PROVES  'VALUABLE  AIL  IF  'EMERGEFCT 

The  Department  of  Communications , Air  Corps  Technical  School,  Chanute  ^ield, 
Rantoul,  111.,  was  recently  requested  to  establish  communication  between  its 
ground  or  school  radio  station  and  the  Airship  TC-271  during  its  flight  from 
Chicago,  111.,  where  it  had  been  participating  in  the  Military  Show  and  Exposition 
to  Scott  Field,  111. , where  it  had  been  ordered  on  account  of  forecasts  of  poor 
weather. 

The  Airship  left  Chicago  at  10:00  a.m. , and  the  radio-,  stations  at  Chanute 
and  Scott  Fields  endeavored  to  establish  communication  with  it,  but  without  suc- 
cess. The  reason  for  this  failure,  afterwards  disclosed,  was  that  on  account 
of  the  high  head  wind  the*  Airship  could  make  little  or  no  headway  at  any  con- 
siderable altitude  and  was  obliged  to  fly  at  a very  low  altitude  to  such  an 
extent  that  it  was  impossible  to  let  out  the  trailing  wire  antenna. 

When  the  Airship  reached  Bloomington,  111.,  a leak  in  the  nose  ...  thereof 
was  discovered,  as  difficulty  had  been  experienced  in  keeping  it  up.  The  pilot 
immediately  increased  altitude  and  instructed  the  radio  operator  to  let  crut  the 
antenna  and  radio  Chanute  Field  - about  fifty  miles  distant  - that  the  Airship 
would  make  an  emergency  landing  there  and  that  a landing  crew  be  on  hand. 

The  personnel  of  the  school  and  radio  station  of  the  Department  of  Communi- 
cations having  maintained  continuous  radio  watch  since  the  departure  of  the 
Airship  from  Chicago,  pi  died  up  the  distress  call,  immediately  ackowledged  it 
and  made  arrangements  for  a crew  to  go  upon  the  flying  field. 

Scott  Field  was  then  informed  of  the  fact  that  the  TC-271  had  left  its 
course  and  was  going  to  make  an  emergency  landing  at  Chanute  Field.  Later,  as 
the  airship  hove  in  sight  and  in  landing  cracked  up  due  to  her  nose  dropping 
when  the  motors  were  shut  off,  Scott  Field  was  immediately  informed  of  this 
mishap.  At  the  time  of  the  emergency  landing,  an  approximately  40-mile  wind 
was  blowing.  Had  it  not  been  for  a good  sized  landing  crew  and  the  skillful 
piloting  of  the  Airship,  a probable  loss  of  life  would  have  occurred. 

The  Hews  Letter  Correspondent  feels  that  this  incident  serves  to  emphasize 
the  significance  of  aeronautical  radio  towards  measures  of  rescue  in  an  emergency 
and  the  importance  of  keeping  radio  watch  while  an  aircraft  is  in  flight. 

0O0 

FEW  LAFDIFG  FIELDS  IF  THE  FORTHWEST 

In  a report  on  an  extended  cross-country  flight  frojn  Kelly  Field,  San 
Antonio,  Texas,  to  March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif.,  and  return,  via  Muskogee , 
Oklahoma;  Scott  and  Chanute  Fields,  111.;  Omaha,  Febraska ; Cheyenne,  Wyoming; 
Denver,  Colorado;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah;  Reno,  Fevada;  San  Francisco,  Calif.; 
Tucson,  Arizona,  and  El.  Paso,  Texas,  1st  Lieut.  Stanton  T.  Smith,  Air  Corps, 
states  that  the  maps  he  carried  with  him  were  found  to  be  quite  accurate  with 
the  exception  of  many  new  fields  developed  since  1925  on  the  ;airways  from  Omaha 
to  San  Francisco.  He  makes  special  mention  of  the  new  Boeing  field  at  Cherokee, 
Wyoming,  which  he  believes  is  much  more  preferable  to  the  field  at  Rock  Springs, 
Wyoming,  since  it  is  over  a mile  long,  with  flat  approaches  at  the  rear  end  over 
half  a mile  long. 

Lieut.  Smith,  in  commenting  on -the  new  Boeing  Field  at  Reno,  Fevada,  states 
that  it  is  so  much  better  than  the  Reno  Municipal  Airport  that  he  believes 
it  preferable  for  government  pilots  to  make  their  landings  on  the  Boeing  Field 
runways  which  are  over  2,000  feet  long,  with  flat  approaches. 

oOo- — 

POST  FIELD  AIRMEF  TRAIF  AT  DALLAS 

The  annual  field  training  period  for  the  Air  Corps  personnel  stationed  at 
Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma,  took  place  at  Hensley  Field,  Dallas,  Texas,  from  June  17th 
to  27th,  inclusive.  Participating  personnel  from  both  the, S8th  Observation 
Squadron  and  the  First  Balloon  Company  were  19  officers  and.  150  enlisted  men. 

The  personnel  was  transported  in  29  trucks  over  a distance  of  240  miles,  which 
was  made  in  two  days  each  way.  Eleven  planes  were  sent  and  one  captive  balloon. 
One  free  balloon  flight  was  made  while  the  Fort  Sill  airmen  were  encamped  at 
Hansley  Field.  -216-  V-6065,  A.C. 


FIRST  BALLOON  -'COMPANY  COOPERATES  WITH  FIELD  ARTILLERY 

During  the  early  part  of  June,  the  88th  Observation  Squadron  and  the  First 
Balloon  Company,  stationed  at  Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma,  operated  with  the  Field  Artil- 
lery School  as  Corps  Aviation  during  the  five-day  problem  of  the  Field  Artillery 
School. 

The  First  Balloon  Company  with  a captive  balloon  accompanied  the  Artillery 
in  the  field.  The  88th  Observation  Squadron  maintained  surveillance  of  all  troop 
movements  from  5:00  a.m.  to  12:00  p.m.  each  day.  On  an  observer  radioing  the 
movements  of  a large  bpdy  of  troops,  simulated  ground  attack  and  light  bombing- 
missions  were  sent  out  against  them.  If  the  .attack  was  to  be  staged  at  night, 
flares  were  dropped  fcp  illuminate  the  troops.  Mosaic'and  oblique  photographs 
were  taken  of  simulated  enemy  positions.  Observers  from  the  88th  Observation 
Squadron  adjusted  successive  concentrations  of  artillery  fire  on  simulated  enemy 
strong  points. 

oOo 

70th  OBSERVATION  SQUADRON  CELEBRATES  ORGANIZATION  DAY 

The  70th  Service  Squadron,  stationed  at  March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif., 
celebrated  its  Organization  Day  on  June  27th  at  Glen  Ivy  Hot  Springs,  a beautiful 
spot  in  the  mountains  southeast  of  March  Field.  The  Squadron  was  excused  from  all 
duties  on  this  day  and  the  entire  personnel  journeyed  by  private  car  and  truck 
to  the  springs  where  a very  delightful  outing  was  had. 

■ — oOo 

SOLVING  THE  HOT  WEATHER  PROBLEM  AT  MARCH  FIELD 

In  order  to  avoid  the  heat  of  the  day,  a summer  schedule  was  installed  at 
the  Primary  Flying  School,  March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif.,  starting  July  1st, 
with  the  working  hours  from  seven  to  one.  This  is  intended  to  give  the  personnel 
of  the  field  an  opportunity  to  seek  relief  from  the  summer  heat  by  journeying  j 

to  the  nearby  beaches  or  mountain  resorts  for  the  afternoon. 

The  News  Letter  Correspondent  states  that .although  it  is  quite  warm  during 
the  day  at  March  Field,  after  the  sun  goes  down  the  atmosphere  immediately  cools 
off  and  frequently  extra  wraps  are  required.  He  also  states  that  California  at  _ 
this  time  of  the  year  is  the  sportsman’s  -paradise.  Every  week  parties  are  made  up  ! 
for  beaches  or  the  mountains.  To  date  several  deep  sea  fishing  parties  have  been  j 
held  and  a record  amount  of  seafood  has  been  brought  in.  ••  i 

oOo 

RESERVE  OFFICERS  HONOR  GENERAL  PRESTON  BROWN 

To  express  in  a lasting  and  dignified  manner  their  appreciation  of  the 
whole-heatyed  cooperation  and  valuable  assistance  rendered  by  Major-General 
Preston  Brown,  when  Commanding  General  of  the  First  Corps  Area,  in  promoting  aero-  j 
nautical  activities,  the  Air  Corps  Reserve  officers  in  New  England  caused  to  be 
placed  on  the  wall  of  the  Air  Corps  Operations  Office  at  the  Boston,  Mass.  Air- 
port a beautiful  bronze  tablet,  12"  x 18",  with  the  following  inscription: 

To 

MAJOR  GENERAL  PRESTON  BROWN 

"In  appreciation  of  the  excellent  development  of  aviation  facilities 
afforded  U.S.  Army  Reserve  Officers  in  the  First  Corps  Areas" 

A.D.  1930. 

Invited  to  Boston  for  the  dedication  ceremony,  which  was  attended  by  the 
Reserve  officers  in  a body,  General  Brown  arrived  in  record  time  in  one  of  the 
new  Army  Air  Corps  0-25  planes  from  Bolling  Field,  D.C.  After  unveiling  the  tab-  , 
let  and  warmly  thanking  the  officers  for  the  tribute  to  him,  General  Brown  joking- 
ly remarked  that  it  was  indeed  a rare  occasion  for  a person  to  be  able  to  read  a 
tribute  to  himself  emblazoned  on  a bronze  tqhlet,  since  such  tributes  are  usually  : 
paid  only  to  those  who  had  passed  beyond,  whereas  he  felt  very  much  alive. 

The.  Reserve  officers  in  New  England  claim  that  they  have  onei  of  the  finest 
small  Air  Corps  stations  in  the  country,  and  at  present  have  a good  quota  of  air- 
planes, thps .affording  qualified  pilots  every  reasonable  opportunity  to  fly  at 
their  convenience.  They  feel  that  they  are  greatly  indebted  to  General  Brown  who, 
while  Corps  Area.  Commander,  became  greatly  interested  in  flying  and  was  mostly 
responsible  for  the  vast  improvement  in  conditions  at  Boston. 

-217- 


V-6065,A.C. 


OVER  ONE- THIRD  OE  WEST  POINT  GRADUATES  DETAILED  TO  AIR  .CORPS 


Out  of  the  235  Cadets  who  graduated  from  the  United  States  Military  Academy, 
West  Point,  New  York,  on  June  12th,  and  were  on  that  date  appointed  2nd  Lieuten- 
ants in  the  Regular  Army,  a total  of  86,  or  36-g-  percent,  were  recently  detailed 
to  the  Army  Air  Corps  for  flying  training. 

Upon  the  expiration  of  their  graduation  leave,  40  of  these  graduates  will 
proceed  to  the  Primary  Plying  School  at  Brooks  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  and 
46  to  the  Primary  Plying  School  at  Iferch  Field,  Riverside,  Calif,  Since  no  West 
Point  graduates  are  commissioned  in  the  Air  Corps  until  they  graduate  from  the 
Advanced  Flying  School,  Kelly  Field,  and  are  rated  as  Airplane  Pilots,  the  fol- 
lowing tabulation  may  he  of  interests 

Branch  of  Service  Number  Assigned  Detailed  to  Air  Corps  Percentage 


Corps  of  Engineers 

16 

4 

25.00 

Signal  Corps 

9 

S 

44.44 

Cavalry 

18 

2 

11.11 

Infantry 

100 

38 

38.00 

Field  Artillery 

62 

25 

40.32 

Coast  Artillery 

30 

13 

43.33 

Total 

235 

86 

Last  year,  out  of  a graduating  class  of  297  Cadets  from  the  U.S.  Military 
Academy,  101  were  detailed  to  the  Air  Corps  for  flying  training,  or  34$.  It  will 
thus  he  noted  that  the  percentage  of  graduates  choosing  the  Air  Corps  as  their 
branch  of  service  is  fairly  consistent. 

The  West  Pointers  who  are  scheduled  to  begin  a strenuous  course  of  training 
at  the  Air  Corps  Primary  Flying  Schools  in  October  are  enumerated  below,  as 
follows  j 


TO  BROOKS  FIELD,  TEXAS 
Corps  of  Engineers; 

George  F.  Schlatter 
Signal  Corps: 

Elmer  L.  Meguire 
Albert  J.  Mandelbaum 
Thetus  C.  Odom 
Field  Artillery: 

Andrew  P.  OrMeara 
Aubrey  K.  Dodson 
Mark  E.  Bradley,  Jr. 

Douglas  M.  Kilpatrick,  Jr. 
Wiley  D.  Ganey 
Winfield  W.  Sisson 
Ernest  E.  Ho It Sen,  II. 

Birr ell  Walsh 
Geoige  G.  Gar  ton 
William  D.  Eckert 
Millard  Lewis 
John  C.  Kilborn 
Carl  A.  Brandt 
Coast  Artillery  Corps: 

Clark  N.  Piper 
Willis  A.  Perry 
Edwin  S.  Perrin 
Neal  E.  Ausraan 
Arthur  C.  Peterson 
Infantry: 

Aubrey  D.  Smith 
' Othel  R.  Peering 
Richard  S.  Freeman 
Norman  R.  Burnett 
John  L.  Pauley,  Jr. 

Frank  T.  Folk 
Claude  E.  Jumey 
John  H.  Murrell 
Kurt  M. ' Landon 
Hubern  P . Dellinger 
Winston  R.  Maxwell 


TO  BROOKS  FIELD,  TEXAS: 
Infantry  ( Continued) : 

Eli  Stevens 
Joseph  E.  James,  Jr. 

Sory  Smith 

Paul  W.  Blanchard,  Jr. 
Theodore  F.  Bogart 
Harry  C.  Anderson 
Henry  A.  Winters 

TO  MARCH  FIELD,  CALIF. : 
Corps  of  Engineers.: 

Frederick  W.  Castle 
Edward  F.  Kumpe 
Ralph  P.  Swofford,  Jr. 
Signal  Corps: 

Charles  W.  Haas 
Cavalry: 

Troup  Miller,  Jr. 

Lauris  Nor s tad 
Field  Artillery: 

William  H.  Allen,  Jr. 
Howard  M.  McCoy 
Stuart  F.  Crawford 
Thomas  I.  Edgar 
Albert  M.  Smith,  II. 
Robert  H.  Booth 
Mahlon  S.  Davis 
Frederick  D.  Atkinson 
Harold  L.  Smith 
Alva  R.  Fitch 
Richard  C.  Hutchinson 
Coast  Artillery  Corps: 

Harry  R.  Boyd 
Marvin  L.  Harding 
David  H.  Baker 
James  S.  Sutton 
Charles  J.  Odenweller,  Jr, 
Charles  C.  Cloud,  Jr, 
Robert  F.  Haggerty 
Dana  S.  Alexander 


-218- 


V~6065,A.C. 


Infantry; 

. Anthony  E.  Curcio 

Frederick' G.  Crabb,  Jr. 
Richards  M.  Bristol 
Sanmel  P.  Kelley 
George  W.  Lermond 
Samuel  Roth 
Richard  J.  0* Keefe 
Clifton  D.  Blackford 
Thomas  F,  Wall 
Thomas  Mifflin . 

Francis  J.  Corr 


Infantry  (Continued) 

Gerry  L.  Mason 
Aubrey  E.  Strode 
Daniel.  A.  Cooper 
Alla  n D . MacLean 
Ludlow  King 
Charles  E.  Beauchamp 
Russell  G.  Emery 
Joseph  A.  Miller 
John.S.  Guthrie 
Field  Artillery; 

Irvin  R.  Schimmelpfennig 

0O0 


HOW  AIR  CORPS  PLACES  ARE  DESIGNATED 


Army  Air  Corps  airplanes  are  divided  into  eight  classes,  according  to  type  I 
or  model.  Although  these  planes  are  invariably  known  to  the  layman  by  their  com-1 
mercial  names,  the  Air  Corps  knows  them  by  their  model  designation,  viz; 

Model  Designation 


Pursuit  (fighting  planes) P 

Observation  planes 0 

Attack  (ground  straffing)  planes A 

Transport,  Cargo,  Aibulance , Workshop  planes C 

Bombardment  planes B 

.Primary  Training  planes PT 

Basic  Training  planes,  used  in  transition  from  primary 

■type,  to  service  type  -planes BT 

Photographic  planes F 


, - Airplanes  oh  experimental  and  service  test  status  are  prefixed  by  the 
letters  "X"  and  ”Y" . Thus  a Pursuit  type  Gevelo-ped  either  at  a factory  or  at 
the  Air  Corps  Materiel  Division  at  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  would  be  labelled 
"XP,"  followed  by  a number  which  would  classify  it  according  to  its  style,  such 
as  .-"XP-6"  which  was  the  experimental  stage  of  a Pursuit  plane  made  by  the 
Curtiss.  Company  somewhat  on  the  style  of  the  Curtiss  "Haxtk. " If  this  experiment- 
al, model  proves  to  be  of  an  acceptable  type,  a small  lot  is  then  bought  and  sent 
to  some  active  station  for  service  test;  in  other  words,  they  are  used  in  the 
service  along  with  other  Pursuit  machines  to  test  their  serviceability  and  desir*  I 
ability.  Such  experimental  planes  would  then  be  labelled  "YP-6." 

There'  are  still  some  airplanes  in  the  service  which  are  known  by  an  earlier  | 
system  of  model  designation,  such  as  the  DH  - DeBaviland,  and  the  PW  - Pursuit 
Watercooled,  but  these  are  either  obsolete  or  obsolescent. 

The  following  are  some  examples  of  model  designations  and  the  planes  they 
describe; 

,Pi~A  - Curtiss  Hawk  Pursuit  plane  with  Curtiss  D-12C,  430  h.p.  engine. 

Pl-B  - Improved  Pl-A  and  improved  motor  (Curtiss  D-12-D);  larger  landing 
wheels. 

,.P1~C  - Same  as  Pl-B,  except  motor  has  new  type  of  gun  synchronizer  and 
whe  els  have  brake  s . 

■ P-6  - Same  as  Pl-B,  except  for  S00  h.p.  Curtiss  motor,  guns  moved  forward, 

instrument  board  revised,  oleo  landing  gear  and  different  brake  pedals. 

P-12  - Boeing  Ho.  89  Pursuit  plane,  Pratt-Whitney ' "Wasp1'  engine. 

P-12-B  Modified  P-12  with  improved  landing  gear  and  tail  surfaces,  Frieze 
ailerons,  metal  constructed. 

COA-1  Corps  Observation  Amphibian;  Loening  Amphibian  plane  equipped  for 
military  observation  -purposes. 

01-B  - Curtiss  Falcon  Observation  plane,  with  Curtiss  D-12,  420  h,p.  engine,1! 
wheel  brakes  and  dumpable  main  fuel  tank,  and  droppable  auxiliary  fuel  tank. 

01- E  - Same  as  01-E,  except  for  Frieze  ailerons,  oleo  landing  gear,  new  gun  : 
synchronizer. 

,02'.  - Douglas  Observation  plane.  Liberty,  engine. 

02A  - 02  equipped  for  night  flying.  * 

02-  C - Improved  02-A,  improved  gunner’s  cockpit.' 

02-H  - Improved  02-C,  tanks  in  fuselage  . instead  of  in  wings,  new  tail 


surfaces.  * 


1 


-219- 


V-6065,  A.C. 


0-11  - Curtiss 'Falcon  Observation  plane  T^th  Liberty  engine. 

0-19  - Thomas  Morse  Observation  plane,  all-metal,  except  for  wing,  elevator 
and  fin  covering;  Pratt-Whitney  "Wasp"  engine. 

0-25  - Same  as  Douglas  02-H,  except  for  replacement  of  Liberty  engine. with 
geared  Curtiss  600  h.p.  engine. 

A~3  - Curtiss  Falcon  Attack  plane,  a modified  0-1  for  attack  purposes.  Gun 
and  bomb  racks  inside  lower  wings. 

A-3B  - Modified  A-3  with  Frieze  ailerons,  oleo  landing  gear,  new  gun  syn- 
chronizer and  simplified  gun  installation.  ' 

C-l  - Douglas  Cargo  (Transport)  plane,  one  direct-drive  Liberty  engine. 

C-3  - Ford  Trimotor  Transport  plane,  Wright  "Whirlwind"  engines. 

C-9  - Improved  C-3,  with  Wright  J-6  (300  h.p.)  engines. 

C-6  - Sikorsky  Model  S-38A  Amphibian  plane,  two  Pratt- Whitney  "Wasp"  engines, 

C-7  - Fokker  Trimotored  Transport,  with  J-6  engines. 

B-2  - Curtiss  "Condor"  Bomber,  two  geared  600  h.p.  Curtiss  engines,  4,000  lb. 
bomb  capacity. 

LB-7  - Keystone  Light  Bomber,  two  Pratt-Whitney  "Hornet  (525  h.p.)  engines, 
2,000  lb.  bomb  capacity. 

PT-1  - Consolidated  Primary  Training  plane,  180  h.p.  Wright  V-type  Model  E 
engine . 

PT-3  - Same  as  PT-1,  except  for  wing  modification  and  Wright  "Whirlwind" 
engine. 

BT-1  - Douglas  Basic  Training  plane,  02-H  with  dual  controls  and  no  military 
equipment.  > ....... 

BT-2  - Similar  to  3T-1,  but  with  Pratt-Whitney  "Wasp"  engine.  . 

IF-1  - Fairchild  71  Model,  Photographic  plane  put  out  for  service  test. 

oOo 

CATERPILLARS  STILL  THRIVING 

It  was  only  the  other  day  that  the  iiresent  status  of  the  Caterpillar  Club 
was  summed  up  in  this  issue  of  the  News  Letter,  the  "dope"  disclosing  a total  of 
253  names  and  265  emergency  jumps,  12  jumps  being  repeaters.  Information  just 
received  reveals  that  four  additional  members  have  been  initiated  lately  in  the 
persons  of  2nd  Lieut s.  Karl  G.  Gimler,  Edward  H.  White,  Frederic  H.  Smith  and 
Sergeant  Sirovic,  all  of  the  Army  Air  Corps.  With  the  addition  of  these  four 
new  members,  the  Caterpillar  Club  roster  now  shows  257  names  and  269  jumps. 

Lieut.  Gimmler  with  Sergeant  Sirovic,  both  of  the  3rd  Attack  Group,  Fort 
Crockett.,  Galveston,  Texas,  were  on  July  15th  flying  to  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  pre- 
paratory to  making  a night  flight  back  to  their  home  station.  According  to  tele- 
graphic advice  from  Lieut.  Gimmler,  the  elevator  of  the  plane  jammed  while  in 
the  vicinity  of  Hallettsville,  Texas.  No  lohger  able  to  control  the  drifting 
airplane,  both  men  took  to  their  parachutes  and  readied  the  ground  safely. 

Lieut.  White , a recent  graduate  of  the  Advanced  Flying  School,  now  stationed 
at  Kelly  Field,  deserted  a PW  Pursuit  plane  on  July  15th  while  flying  near  the 
Fredericksburg  road,  some  six  miles  north  of  Kelly  Field.  According  to  unofficial 
advices,  he  was  practicing  acrobatics  and  had  made  three  barrel  rolls  when  the 
elevator  control  wire  broke  and  the  plane  went  into  a spin  at  an  altitude  of 
about  2500  feet.  Lieut.  White  jumped  after  the  plane  mad  made  six  or  seven  turns 
and  had  lost  about  1300  feet  altitude. 

Hurled  unexpectedly  into  space  when  the  safety  belt  on  his  Pursuit  plane 
broke,  while  flying  on  July  22nd  in  the  vicinity  of  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Lieut. 
Smith  pulled  the  rip  cord  of  his  parachute  and  thereby  joined  the  fast  growing 
fraternity  of  Caterpillars. 

oOo- — 

' PIONEER  AIRMAN  JOINS  THE  GREAT  BEYOND 

Those  in  and  out.  of  aviation  circles  were  greatly  shocked  at  the  news  of  the 
unexpected  death  of  Glen  H.  Curtiss,  pioneer  American  airman.  The  Hon.  F.  Trubee 
Davison,  Assistant  Secretary  of  War,  stated  that  "In  the  death  of  Glenn  Curtiss 
aviation  has  not  alone  lost  a man  whose  nioneering  efforts  in  engine  development 
and  plane  design  won  great  glory  for  American  aircraft,  but  it  lias  also  lost  the 
competent  services  of  a seasoned  expert  who  for  a generation  has  kept  abreast  with 
and  contributed  greatly  to  aeronautical  progress." 

Major  General  James  E.  Fechet,  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  stated  - "On  behalf  of 
Army  Air  Corps  pilots  as  well  as  on  my  own,  I express  deep  drief  over  the  death  of 
Glenn  Curtiss.  His  life  was  dedicated  to  the  advancement  of  flight.  His  discover- 
ies as  an  aeronautical  scientist  and  engineer  contributed  greatly  toward  the  de- 
velopment of  our  present-day  equipment.  His  untimely  death  is  a great  loss  to 
aviation  in  all  its  branches. 

V-6065,  A. C. 


•220- 


WAR  DEPARTMENT  ORDERS  AFFECTING  AIR  CORPS  OFFICERS 


Changes  of  Station:  Lieut, -Colonel  Henry  C.  Pratt  from  duty  in  the  Hawaiian 
Department  to  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  as  Chief  of  the  Materiel  Division. 

Brigadier- General  Charles  H.  Danforth,  Assistant  Chief  of  Air  Corps,  to 
Duncan  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  to  assume  command  of  Air  Corps  Training  Center, 

Major  Thomas  EeW.  Milling  from  Office  Chief  of  Air  Corps,  Washington,  D.C., 
to  duty  as  Instructor,  Air  Corps,  Colorado  Rational  Guard,  Denver,  Colo. 

Major  Jenner  Y.  Chi sum  to  proceed  to  his  home  to  await  retirement. 

Captain  Frank  0.  Hunter  from  Office  Chief  of  Air  Corps  to  Rockwell  Field, 
Calif.,  sailing  from  Rew  York  City  October  10,  1930. 

Captain  Walter  Reed  from  Primary  Flying  School , March  Field,  Calif. , to 
Langley  Field,  Va. , for  duty  as  student  at  Air  Corps  Tactical  School. 

1st  Lieut.  Harvey  K.  Greenlaw  from  University  of  California,  Berkeley, 
to  Fort  Sill,  Okla. , for  duty  with  Air  Corps  troops. 

1st  Lieut.  Robert  R.  Selway,  Jr.,  ife-rch  Field,  to  Crissy  Field,  then  to 
duty  in  Philippines,  sailing  from  San  Francisco  about  November  19,  1930, 

1st  Lieut.  Julian  B.  Eaddon  from  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  to  Office  of 
Chief  of  Air  Corps,  Washington,  D.C. 

1st  Lieut.  Barney  M.  Giles,  March  Field,  to  Rockwell  Field,  Calif. 

1st  Lieut.  Eugene  C.  Batten,  from  Walter  Reed  General  Hospital  to  Rockwell 
Field,  Calif.,  sailing  from  Rew  York  July  18th. 

2nd  Lieuts  . Julius  T.  Flock,  Fort  Crockett,  and  Reil  B.  Harding,  Selfridge 
Field,  to  Air  Corps  Training  Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas. 

2nd  Lieut.  Sam  W.  Cheyney,  Rockwell  Field-,  to  Fort  Riley,  Kansas,  for  duty 
with  Air  Corps  troops. 

2nd  Lieut.  Reuben  C.  Hood,  Jr.,  Langley  Field  to  Edgewood  Arsenal,  Md. , for 
duty  with  Air  Corps  detachment. 

2nd  Lieut.  Clarence  S.  Irvine,  March  Field,  to  Chanute  Field,  Rantoul,  111. 

Promotions : 1st  Lieut.  Louis  R.  Eller  to  Captain,  rank  from  June  21,1930. 

1st  Lieut.  Ulysses  G.  Jones  to  Captain,  rank  from  July  1,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  George  A.  Whatley  to  1st  Lieut.,  rank  from  June  16,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  Sheldon  B.  Edwards  to  1st  Lieut.,  rank  from  June  21,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  Clarence  S.  Thorpe  to  1st  Lieut.,  rank  from  June  30,  1930. 

Resignation:  2nd  Lieut.  Georga  Brinton  McLellan. 

Reserve  Officers  detailed  to  extended  active  duty:  2nd  Lieut.  Eugene  Otto 
Klose,  Montgomery,  Ala.,  to  Maxwell  Field,  Ala.,  July  15  to  June  30,  1931. 

From  July  15  to  January  14,  1931  - 2nd  Lieut.  Otis  Black  Crawford,  San  Fernando, 
Calif.,  to  Rockwell  Field;  2nd  Lieut.  Joel  George  Pitts,  Oklahoma  City,  Okla.,  to 
post  Field,  Okla.;  2nd  Lieut.  Egbert  C.  Cook,  Hollywood,  Calif.,  to  Rockwell 
Field;  July  2 to  December  31,  1930  - 2nd  Lieut.  James  Howard  Roe,  Spokane,  Wash., 
to  Fort  Sill,  Okla. ; 2nd  Lieut.  George  E.  Percefull,  Lonoke,  Ark.,  to  Fort  Sill, 
Okla.;  August  1 to  January  29,  1931  - 2nd  Lieut.  Desmond  Sturgis  Shipley,  Rew 
York  City,  to  Mitchel  Field,  R.Y. 

Detailed  to  the  Air  Corps;  2nd  Lieut.  Harry  G.  Montgomery,  Jr. , Infantry, 
to  Brooks  Field,  Texas,  October  15,  1930,  for  flying  training. 

Appointments : 2nd  Lieut,  Elvin  F.  Maughan,  Air  Corps  Reserve,  as  2nd.Lt., 
Air  Corps,  Regular  Army,  and  to  Fort  Sill,  Okla.,  for  duty.  Ranis  from  June  18,  '30. 

Relieved  from  detail  in  Air  Corps:  2nd  Lieut.  Donald  M.  Schorr,  Cavalry, 
aiid  to  l§t  Cavalry  Division,  Fort  Bliss,  Texas. 

oOo- 

PROMOTION  OF  AIR  CORPS  ENLISTED  MEN 

Technical  Sergeant  George  W.  Klingler,  Chanute  Field,  to  Master  Sergeant,  to 
fill  vacancy  in  17th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Self ridge  Field,  Mich. 

Technical  Sergeant  William  E.  Vessey,  to  Master  Sergeant,  to  fill  vacancy  in 
53rd  School  Squadron,  March  Field,  Calif. 

Staff  Sergeant  Otis  W.  Lee,  24th  Airship  Company,  Scott.  Field,  to  Technical 
Lergeant,  to  fill  vacancy  in  19th  Airship  Company,  Langley  Field,  Va. 

Staff  Sergeant  George  B.  Brown  to  Technical  Sergeant  to  fill  vacancy,  in  24th 
Pursuit  Squadron,  Panama  Canal  Department . 

Staff  Sergeant  Gregory  A.  Mitchell  to  Technical  Sergeant,  March  Field, Calif. 

Staff  Sergeant  Roy  F.  Hamblin,  23rd  Bomb.  Sqdn.  to  Technical  Sergeant. 

Staff  Sergeant  Harvey  J.  Downing,  65th  Service  Squadron,  Hawaiian  Dept.,  to 
Technical  Sergeant,  to  fill  vacancy  in  72nd  Bombardment  Squadron,  Hawaii. 

-221-  7-6065,  A.C. 


NOTES'  FROM  AIR  CORPS  FIELDS 
— 0Q0— 


Scott  Field,  Belleville v 111.,  July  12th: 

1st  Lieuts.  Courtland  M.  Brown,  Vi/illiam  0o  Eareckson,  and  2nd  Lieut.  John  P. 
Kidwell,  returned  from  the  National  Balloon  Races,  held  at.  Houston,  Texas.  They 
all  report  excellent  treatment  by  the  Race  management  there,  and  interesting 
flights  while  participating  in  the  Races. 

Col.  John  A.  Paegelow,  Commanding  Officer,  Scott  Field,  Illo,  was  officially 
invited  by  the.  Chamber  of  Commerce,  St. Louis,  Mo.,  to  participate  in  the  recep- 
tion on  July  12th,  of  Commander  Byrd  and  Crew  who  participated  in  the  flight  to 
t-he  South  Pole. 

On  July  12th,  a flight,  commanded  by  Lt.-Col.  John  A,  Paegelow,  from  Scott 
Field,  consisting  of  a TC-10-253  Airship,  eight  0-19  Observation  planes  and  one 
Fairchild  photo  plane,  gave  a demonstration  over  St.  Louis  in  honor  of  Commander 
Byrd  and  his  exploring  party. 

On  July  8th,  one  0-19  Observation  plane,  piloted  by  2nd  Lieut,  H.¥.  Grant, 
with  2nd  Lieut.  I.R.  Selvey,  observer,  went  to  Chicago  and  carried  out  a success- 
ful radio  mission,  cooperating  with  the  University  of  Chicago, R.O.T.C. 

San  Antonio  Mr  Depot,  Dune an  Fie Id , Texas,  July  12th: 


The  Depot  had  the  pleasure  of  an  informal  visit  from  Major  W.G.  Kilner,  of 
the  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  who  was  in  this  vicinity,  June  13th  to 
16th. 

On  Wednesday,  June  18th,  a Garden  Party 'was  given  by  the  officers  and  ladies 
of  Duncan  Field  in  honor  of  Brigadier-General  and  Mrs . Frank  P.  Lahm  in  connec- 
tion with  their  approaching  departure  from  the  Air  Corps  Training  Center.  The 
party,  which  began  at  nine  o’clock  in  the  evening,  was  held  in  the  rooms  on  the 
lawn  of  the  Officers'  Club  at  this  station.  In  the  receiving  line,  on  the  lawn, 
were  Brigadier-General  and  Mrs.  Lahm,  Major  and  Mrs.  A.W.  Robins, and  Lieut,  and 
Mrs.  ReW.  Douglass,  Jr.,  The  rooms  were  tastefully  decorated  with  zinnias,  dai- 
sies, snapdragons  and  palms,  and  the  lawn  presented  a charming  picture  in  colored 
lights.  About  two  hundred  guests  were  present  from  the  various  Air  Corps  and 
other  Army  circles  in  the  vicinity  of  San  Antonio.  Dancing  was  enjoyed  to  the 
pleasing  music  of  the  Air  Corps  Training  Center  orchestra:;  the  weather  was  per- 
fect, and  everything  was  conducive  to  the  success  of  the  occasion. 

Capt.  Ira  C.  Eaker,  of  Bolling  Field,  paid  this  Depot  a brief  visit  on  June 
20th,  incident  to  attending  the  Dedication  of  Randolph  Field,  bringing  Major-Gen- 
eral Fechet's  plane  over  to  the  Depot  from  Randolph  Field  for  miscellaneous  re- 
pairs and  servicing. 

1st  Lieut.  Lewis  S.  Webster  of.  this  Depot,  after  ferrying  a PT-3A  plahe  to 
Self ridge  Field,  Mich.,  availed  himself  of  a few  days'  leave  of  absence  in  that 
section  of  the  country  before  returning  to  the  Depot  by  rail. 

1st  Lieut.  R.C.  Wriston  and  2nd  Lieut.  I.W.  Ott,  of  Maxwell  Field,  were 
visitors  at  this  Depot  on  June  23d,  obtaining  and  ferrying  two  PT-3A  airplanes  to 
their  home  station. 

Mrs.  Warner  B.  Gates,  wife  of  Capt.  Gates  of  this  Depot,  and  daughter,  are 
enjoying  a summer's  outing  in  Wisconsin.  Mrs.  Gates  left  here  on  June  24th,  to 
motor  through,  accompanied  by  Mrs.  F.G.  Irvin,  wife  of  Lieut.  Irvin,  en  route  from 
Kelly  Field  to  Indianapolis.  Unfortunately,  on  the  road  just' beyond  Waco,  Texas, 
an  accident  occurred,  in  which  a large  motor  truck  collided  with  their  car,  and 
in  which  the  ladies  suffered  severe  shock  and  bruises,  necessitating  their  -return 
here  and  confinement  to  the  house  until  they  have  recovered  sufficiently  td  resume 
their  journey  on  July  2d. 

Capt.  D.P.  Muse  of  Maxwell  Field,  paid  a visit  to  the  Depot--. on  June  24th, 
leaving  here  on  the  25th  and  ferrying  a C-l  plane  back  to  his  home  station. 

Capt.  V/moB.  Wright, Jr.  on  duty  at  Richards  Field,  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  formerly 
Adjutant  at  Kelly  Field,  came  down  to  ferry  an  0-11  back  to  his  station,  arriving 
and  leaving  here  June  24th. 

2nd  Lieut.  Charles  H.  Caldwell,  of  Wright  Field,  Ohio,  en  route  to  the  Rock- 
well Air  Depot,  stopped  over  at  this  Depot  on  June  24th  for  a conference  regard- 
ing costs  of  overhaul  of  airplanes  and  engines. 

Maj . Robins,  Commanding  Officer,  and  Lieut.  A.S.  Albro,  of  this  Depot,  ac- 
companied Brig. -General  Lahm,  Capt.  Burt  and  Lieut.  Douglass,  of  the  Headquarters 
of  the  Air  Corps  Training  Center,  on  a cross-country  to  Eagle  Pass,  Texas,  and 

return,  on  June  24th.  . _ 

- 222  - V-6065 ,A.C, 


Lisuts*  Joseph  T,  Morris  and  Norman  B#  Olsen  of  Self ridgo  Field,  a.rrived 
at  this  Depot  on  June  30th  to  ferry  back  two  PT-SA’s  to  their  home  station, 
leaving  here  July  1st  on  their  return# 

Warrant  Officer  A#R.  Trabold  of  this  Depot ' departed  July  3d « for  two  days* 
leave  of  absence  before  proceeding  to  Wright  Field,  Ohio,  for  a two  weeks 1 course 
of  study  in  Air  Corps  supply  work  in  the  Materiel  Division# 

The  4th  of  July  passed  off  very  quietly  at  this  Post,  most  of  the  personnel 
being  away  on  their  own  several  diversions  for  the  day#  In  the  evening,  through 
the  courtesy  of  Major  Robins,  our  Commanding  Officer,  a very  pretty  fireworks 
display,  to  which  everybody  on  the  Post  was  invited,  was  held  on  the  Flying  Field* 
Lieut.  Charles  E.  Branshaw,  Chief  Engineering  Officer,  departed  for  a few 
days ’ temporary  duty  at  Wright  Field,  Ohio , conferring  with  the  Office  of  the 
Chief  of  the  Materiel  Division  in  regard  to  the  repair  and  maintenance  of  equip- 
ment in  this  Depot’s  area# 

Lieut*  Charles  E#  Thomas, Jr#  of  this  Depot , made  a trip  to  Crissy  Field , 
Calif • , by  rail  for  the  purpose  of  ferrying  an  A- 3 plane  from  that  Field  to  this 
Depot • 

During  the  month  of  June  the  following  airplanes  and  engines  were  overhauled 
and  repaired  by  the  Engineering  Department  of  this  Depot* 

Airplanes  - Overhaul*  2 A-3,  1 LB-5,  1 DH-4M-2T,  1 0-11,  1 0-17,  1 PI -A,  1 Pl-D, 

1 Pl-E,  1 Pl-F,  1 FW-9D,  6 BT-1,  1 PT-3, . 1 FT-3A,  total  19.  Miscellaneous  re- 
pair* 1 A-3B,  1 LB- 5 , 2 C-9,  1 02,  7 0-19B,  1 BT-1,  1 BT-2A,  5 PT-3,  1 PT-3  A, 

1 N-C,  total  21#  Assembled  Jobs s 8 PT-3A. 

Engines  - Major  overhaul  * 32  Curtiss  D-12,  22  Wright  J-5,  total  54#  Minor 
overhauls  53  Liberty,  7 Curtiss  D-12,  total  60# 

Ni chols  Field,  Ri  z_al_,  P.I « , June 5 th t 

The  rainy  season  has  apparently  set  in,  as  it  has  rained  every  day  for  the 
past  ten*  Flying  has  been  curtailed  due  to  this  fact  and  :also  the  shortage  of 
aircraft# 

Head  quart  er  s Db^acliment  s Capt#  Vernon  L.  Burge  led  a formation  of  three 
02-H's  to  Aparri  on  a reconnaissance  flight  on  May  8th#  ' The  personnel  of  the 
flight,  aside  from  Capt.  Burge,  consisted  of  Capts#'  Arthur  E#  Easterferook  and 
B.F . Giles , Lieut#  R.F«  St earley,  Mr • Sgt . Nendell  and  St . Sgt # Duffy#  The  flight 
took  off  at  7 sl5  A.M. , and  arrived  at  Aparri  three  and  one-half  hours  later. 

After  remaining  at  Aparri  over  night,  the  flight  took  off  at  6 *30  A.M.,  and  flew 
down  the  western  coast  of  Luzon,  deviating  from  the  coast  line  long  enough  to  fly 
over  Baguio,  which  is  a beautiful  sight  from  the  air. 

The  detachment  has  been  busy  getting  a team  in  shape  for  the-  first  game  of 
the  Inter-Squadron  Basketball  League • 

Approximately  one -third  of  the  men  made  plans  to  take  the  examination  for 
the  rating  of  Air  Mechanic  scheduled  to  be  held  early  in  June • 

28th  Bombardment  'Squadron*  Capt#  Brock  returned  from  detached  service  at 
Camp  John  Hay,  reporting  an  enjoyable  trip. 

Lidut . Dache  M„  Reeve  returned  on  the' 5th  from  detached  service  in  the  South- 
ern Islands , burdened  with  souvenirs  and  a tale  or  two  of  the  hospitable  treat- 
ment extended  by  the  different  Moro  Datus • 

Li out s • E.M#  Morris  and  Charles  T#  Myers  returned  from  Baguio  on  the  14th. 
They  floated  most  of  the  way  back  in  their  "Baby  Lincoln" 9 

Lieut,  and  Mrs.  George  H.  Steel  spent  two  weeks  at  Baguio* 

Li eut # Donald  B#  Phillips, transferred  to  the  Philippine  Air  Depot , will  be 
greatly  missed  by  the  Squadron# 

66th  Service  Squadron*  Capt#  W»0.  Butler  returned  from  Camp  John  Hay  on 
May  1st • 

The  SquadroA  basketball  beam  has  been  organized  with  complete  new  uniforms 
and  equipment#  This  team  is  under  the  direction  of  Li eut . Joseph  Smith  and  is 
being  managed  by  St • Sgt • James  A#  Somner • 

Third  _At_taclc_- Group,  Fort  Corckett,  jTexas^  July  1st? 

Tech. Sgt  • C'.P#  Smith,  .'pilot , and  St . Sgt  • Frank  Bobulski,  radio  operator,  made 
a trip  to  the  West  Coast  in  an  attempt  to  "d etermine  the  feasibility  and  practica- 
bility of  an  Attack  plane  keeping  in  touch  with  its  home  station  in  flight  by 
sending  a message  to  the  nearest'  land  station  and  having  it  relayed  from  there# 

The  flight  was  a success. 


- 223  - 


V-6065, A.C 


The  planes  have  been  going  on  so  many  long  trips  lately  that  baseball  had 
to  he  postponed  some  of  the  time* 

Lieut®  Pleasant  F,  Carrier,  A.C.R.,  was  recently  relieved  from  active  duty 
and  reverted  to  inactive  status®  He  will  enter  the  employ  of  the  Standard  Oil 
Co.  of  Louisiana. 

Lieut.  John  A.  Samford  was  transferred  from  the  Group  to  Duncan  Field  for 

duty. 

Pvt.  Bob  Colley  and  Cpl.  Pete  Kuykendall  are  recovering  from  a bad  auto- 
mobile accident  on  the  Houston  highway  on  the  afternoon  of  June  29th.  Colley, 
who  was  not  expected  to  live,  has  since  pulled  around  and  is  on  the  road  to  re- 
covery. Kuykendall  escaped  with  only  a few  cuts  about  the  face. 

The  wedding  of  2nd  Lieut.  Tracy  Kemp  Dorsett  and  Evic  Lee  Glover  was  solem- 
nized on  July  1st  at  Cooledge,  Texas.  Mrs.  Dorsett  will  be  at  home  July  2d. 

Her  address  is  2223  35th  St.,  Galveston,  Texas. 

Six  planes  of  the  Group  were  flown  to  Tyler,,  Texas,  recently  where  the  per- 
sonnel participated  in  the  dedication  of  the'- ’new'  293-acre  municipal  airport. 

Third  Attack  Group,  A.C ® , Fort . Crockett^ „Texas_i_ _Ju_ly_  15th8 

On  Sunday  July  6th,  General  C.P.  Summerall,  Chief  of  Staff,  made  an  official 
visit  to  Fort  Crockett.  Arriving  at  9s50  A.ivL,  he  inspected  the  Post,  Squadrons, 
Airdrome  and  ships,  in  the  morning,  and  in  the  afternoon  the  Coast  Artillery 
equipment  and  Harbor  Defenses®  At  noon  he  was  the  guest  at  a dinner  attended  by 
the  Officers  and  wives  of  the  command.  Later  in  the  evening  he  departed  for  West 
Texas.  A 27 -ship  review  was  flown  at  noon  in  his  favor. 

The  90th  and  60th  Squadrons  are  neck  and  neck  for  first  place  in  the  Inter- 
Squadron  baseball  league. 

Lieut.  Talma-  (Tut)  Imlay,  Quarterback  on  Andy  Smith's  wonder  (California) 
football  team,  is  back  in  California  visiting  on  an  extended  cross-country. 

Mr.  Broclchurst,  well  known  Fox  Movietone  News  man,  is  shooting  some  news- 
reels of  the  Attack  Group. 

The  wedding  of  Miss  Edith  Van  Horn,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.W.  Van  Horn 
of  Charleston,  W.Va»,  and  Lieut.  Frankfort  Forest  Everest, Jr. ,U.S.A. , A.C. , a 
member  of  the  Third  Attack  Group,  Ft®  Crockett,  was  solemnized  at  the  home  of 
Miss  Van  Horn's  parents  in  Charleston  on  July  1st. 

Fort  Sill , Okl ahoma , July  5th s 

Capt ® Lawrence  P.  Hickey,  1st  Lieut.  George  E.  Rice,  2nd  Lieuts.  George  V. 
Halloman  and  James  L.  Jackson  went  to  Buf falo,NoY. , to  ferry  back  four  new  0-19B 
airplanes®  Three  of  these  planes  arrived  at  this  station  O.K.  The  fourth  fin- 
ished its  journey,  via  railroad,  to  the  A.I.D.,  San  .Antonio,  Texas® 

Lieuts.  Clarence  E.  Shankle  and  Ralph  E.  Holmes  arrived  at  this  station. 

1st  Lieut.  Herbert  K.  Baisley  was  transferred  from  this  station  to  Wright 
Field,  Dayton,  Ohio® 

2nd  Lieuts.  Joe  C.  Britton,  Lloyd  E.  Hunt,  Harry  B.  Fleming,  Charles  H. 
Millier,  Louis  S.  Wait  and  Stanley  J.  Young-,  all  recent  graduates  of  Kelly  Field, 
Texas,  were  assigned  to  this  sstation  for  one  year's  active  duty  as  Reserve 
Officers . 

Wright  Field,  Dayton^  0]iiolL July  16th 8 

The  Hon.  F.  Trubee  Davison,  Assistant  Secretary  of  War,  for  Aeronautics, 
arrived  at  the  Field  on  June  8th,  remaining  for  a two-day  visit.  The  object  was 
a regular  inspection,  with  Wright  Field  as  one  of  a series  of  Army  flying  fields. 
While  here  Mr.  Davison  flew  many  of  the  different  planes  on  the- line  under  test 
status.  Capt.  Ira  C.  Eaker  acted  as  Mr.  Davison's  pilot  for  the  trip. 

Capt.  George  V*  Haskins,-  A.C.  Reserve,  formerly  a Regular  Army  officer  of 
McCook  Field,  who  reported  for  two  weeks'  active  duty  on  June  15th  was  assigned 
to  the  Airplane  Branch. 

Lieut.  George  F.  Schulgen,  who  during  the  past  year  took  a special  aeronauti- 
cal course  at  the  Mass.  Institute  of  Technology,  reported  for  duty  the  middle  of 
June  and  was  assigned  to  the  Power  Plant  Branch. 

Major  J.D.  Reardan,  our  Commanding  Officer,  returned  recently  from  an  18- 
day  leave. 

The  following  officers  journeyed  to  the  plant  of  the  Douglas  Company,  Santa 

-224-  V-6065,A.C. 


Monica,  Calif,,  during  the  month  of  June,  to  ferry  a number  of  new  0-25A  air- 
planes to  Vright  Fields  Lieuts.  F.O.  ^rroll,  J.A.  Woodruff,  C.H.  Ridenour, 

H.Po  Rush,  Leroy  Wolfe,  C.H.  Caldwellp  The  following  engineers  accompanied  them! 
W.G.  McNeil,  Armament  Branch;  F <>'..  • Heckert,  Power  Plant  Branch,  J .W • Schwinn, 
Procurement  Section,,  All  planes  arrived  in  good  order* 

Major  A.H.  Hobley  of  the  Office  of  the  Assistant  Secretary  of 'War , arrived 
at  the  Field  June  23d  and  spent  several  days  with  the  Industrial  War  Plans 
Section, 

The  Fokker  Amphibian  was  flown  to  Sel fridge  Field  on  June  23d  for  the  pur- 
pose of  subjecting  it  to  test  as  a seaplane,  with  Lieuts,  F„0»  Carroll,  Clements 
McMullen,  W,H.  Brookley  and  H.P.  Rush  to  perform  the  piloting  and  to  make  engine 
and  airplane  observations, 

Lieuts,  F.E.  Glantzberg  and  F.D.  Klein  flew  to  Chicago  to  participate  in 
the  air  maneuvers  held  in  conjunction  with  the  Chicago  Air  Show, 

Major  J.L.  Hatcher,  Ordnance  Dept.,  and  Capt,  St.Clair  Street!,  Chief- of 
the  Flight  Test  Branch,  flew  to  Washington  on  July  8th  for  a conference  with 
the  Chief  of  Ordnance.  They  returned  the  following  day. 

The  Field  was  visited  b}'  42  Boy  Scouts  on  July  9th  from  St.  Louis  and  Kan- 
sas City.  The  young  horde  had  been  on  a bus  tour  through  the  East,  with  several 
Scout  Masters  in  charge,  and  were  cn  their  way  back  home, 

Capt.  W,A.  Hyde,  A.C.  Reserve,  Director  of  Research  of  the  Leon  J*  Barrett 
Company,  Worcester,  Mass.,  reported  for  two  weeks*  active  duty,  July  1st.  While 
here,  Capt.  Hyde  gave  an  illustrated  lecture  in  the  auditorium  for  the  engin- 
eers on  the  "Air  Waves  About  Bullets  in  Flight".  During  the  war,  he  was  con- 
nected with  the  Science  and  Research  Department,  Langley  Field,  where  he' worked 
on  the  objectives  of  bombs  and  the  stabilization  of  bomb  sights.  Previous  to 
that  time  he  was  with  the  Bureau  of  Ordnance,  Navy  Dept,,  where  he  took:  photo- 
graphs of  the  air  waves  about  bullets.  These  proved  most  interesting  illustra- 
tions of  the  lecture  he  delivered. 

Lieut.  F.D.  Klein  acted  as  escort  to  0.  Sugamoto,  Lieut .-Commander , Japanese 
Navy,  who  visited  the  Field  on  July  10th. 

Lieut.  D.L.  Bruner,  who  recently  recovered  from  an  accident  suffered  in 
New  York  when  he  had  a forced  landing.,  returned  to  the,  Field,  and  on  July  12th 
left  for  Washington  for  a conference  on  night  lighting  installations. 

James  W0  Musser,  Chief  Inspector  of  Airplanes  and  Engines,  left  on  July  13th 
for  Cleveland,  Buffalo  and  Pittsburgh,  on  inspection  matters. 

Ma j or-General  J«E.  Fechet  and  Lieut,  E.R.  Quesada  stopped  at  the  Field  on 
July  13th  on  their  way  from  St.  Louis  to  Washington. 

Ro clcwell  Field , Coronado , C ffili f June  _3pth > ' * " 

Col.  Robert  B.  McBride,  General  Staff  Corps,  Assistant  Chief  of  StaffG-4, 
Headquarters,  Ninth  Corps  Area,  arrived  at  Rockwell  Field,  June  3d,  on  temporary 
duty  for  purpose  of  inspecting  matters  relating  to  construction,  supply  and 
equipment. 

Lieut  .-Colonel  Francis  B.  Wheaton,  Q.M..C.,  arrived  at  Rockwell  Field,  June 
17th,  on  temporary  duty  for  the  purpose  of  inspecting  conditions  and  installa- 
tions in  connection  with  Quartermaster  Construction,  Repair  and  Maintenance, 

Col.  John  E.  Hemphill,  S.C.,  Ninth  Corps  Area  Signal  Officer,  arrived  at 
Rockwell  Field,  June  24th,  in  connection  with  the  expansion  of  Rockwell  Field 
telephone  system. 

War  Department-  Orders  were  received  relieving  Major  A.L.  Sneed,  A.C. , Post 
Cammander  and  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Rockwell  Air  Depot,  and  assigning  him  to' 
duty  with  the  Materiel  Division,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Capt.  H.M.  Elmendorf,  A.C.,  Commanding  Officer  95th  Pursuit  Squadron,  re- 
ceived orders  assigning  him  to  duty  in  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps. 

Lieut,  Odas  Moon,  A.C.,  Group  Operations  Officer,  leaves  some  time  during 
the  month  of  July  for  course  of  instruction  at  the  Air  Corps  Tactical  School, 
Langley  Field,.  Vs, 

Capt,  C.M.  Savage , A.C.,  arrived  at  Rockwell  Field,  June  7th,  and  was  ap- 
pointed Post  Adjutant,  vice  Lieut.  Robert  E.  Selff,  A.C,,  who  has' taken  over 
the  duties  of  Post  Operations  Officer, 

Second  Lieut.  C.H'.'  Murray,  Tom  W.  Scott  and  Gerald  Hoyle  received  their  ap- 
pointments as  2nd  Lieutenants,  A.C.,  Regular  Army. 

War  Department  orders  were  received  assigning  Major  B„K»  Yount,  A.C.,  to 
duty  at  Rockwell  Field  as  Post  Commander, 

- 225  - 


V-6065, A.C 


War  Department  orders  were  also  received 'assigning  1st  Lieuts.  Ralph  H. 
Snavely,  R.K.  Lebrou  and  2nd  Lieut s.Jamesi.B.  Briggs  to  duty  at  this  Field. 

The  following -named  2nd  Lieutenants,  A.C ., Reserve,  recent  graduates  of  the 
Advanced  Flying  School,  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  were  assigned  to  Rockwell  Field  for. 
duty  — John  Davis  Kreyssler,  Edward  Frank  Kies sig,  Richard  Morden  McGlinn,  Auscin 
Samuel  Merrifield,  Wallace  Joseph  O'Daniels,  Rubbis  Milo  Thornton,  Russell  Wil- 
loughby Munson  and  James  Arthur  Fisk. 

William  S.  Brock  and  Edward  F.  Schlee  completed  a non-stop  flight  from 
Jacksonville,  Fla.,  to  Rockwell  Field,  Calif.,  June  18th,  arriving  here  at  4 P.M. 
After  a half-hour's  stop  in  order  to  refuel,  the  flyers  left  in  their  Lockheed 
Vega  monoplane  for  a non-stop  flight  back  to  Jacksonville,  Fla. 

The  Rockwell  Field  Squash  Team  dealt  an  overwhelming  defeat  to  the  Univer- 
sity Club  team  from  San  Francisco  when  the  rivals  journeyed  southward  June  .28th, 
winning  nine  of  the  twelve  matches  played.  The  outstanding  feature  of  the  day 
came  when  Lieut*  J,E.  Mallory  beat  Mr.  Janin,  recognized  as  the  best  player  on 
the  Pacific  Coast.  Mr . Janin  was  Captain  of  the  Harvard  Team  in  1922.  After  the 
fray  the  visitors  were  royally  entertained  by  the  local  boys. 

Miss  Ruth  Marie  Osborne  became  the  bride  of  Lieut.  Lloyd  Watnee,  A.C.,  11th 
Bombardment  Squadron,  Rockwell  Fields  at  a large  military  wedding  held  in  San 
Francisco,  June  21st.  Many  officers  from  Rockwell  Field  flew  to  San  Francisco 
in  o.rder  to  attend  the  wedding. 

Connecticut  National  Guard,  A.C. s 

Major  "Toby"  Freeman  and  General  Wm.F.  Ladd,  former  CoO.'s  of  the  Squadron, 
were  recent  dinner  guests  of  the  officers  at  the  regular  Wednesday  evening 
meeting. 

Last  month  Maj.  Hubert  E.  Johnson  combined  business  with  pleasure  and  made 
a trip  to' New  Orleans.  He  was  accompanied  by  St.Sgt.  William  A.  Pragluski  as 
mechanic.  A Douglas  BT-1  was  used  on  the  trip,  the  following  stops  being  mades 
Buf faIo,N.Y. 5 Cleveland,  Ohio|  Louisville, Ky • | Memphis, Tenn. , and  New  Orleans, La. 
The  eastern  route  was  followed  on  the  way  home,  and  stops  were- made  at  Birming- 
ham, Ala. 5 Spartansburg , N.C„$  Washington,  D.C.j  Philadelphia, Pa. $ ‘Mitch  el  Field, 
L.I.,NoY.|  and  Hartford,  Conn.  Outside  of  two  days  which  were  rainy,  the  weather 
was  excellent  and  a successful  trip  was  accomplished. 

When  National  Commander  O.L.  Bodenhamer,  of  the  American  Legion,  visited. 
Connecticut  recently,  he  was  flown  from  Providence,  R.I.  to  Plainville,  the  home 
of  Governor  Trumbull,  by  Lieut.  Charles  L„  Wright  in  one  of  the  Squadron's  train- 
ing ships.  In  the  afternoon  he  was  flown  back  to  Hartford,  where  he  "was  met  by 
a delegation  of  prominent  citizens,  headed  by  Governor  Trumbull  and  Major  Batter- 
son  of  Hartford.  On  the  flight  from  Plainville  to  Hartford,  Commander  Bodenhamer 
was  escorted  by  the  State-owned  Vought,  flown  by  Capt.  Harry  Generous,  and  two 
Squadron  ships  flow#  by  Lieuts.  Fred  Sanson  and  Charles  Wright. 

Lieut.  John  M.  Holmes,  a member  of  the  last  class  at  Kelly,  is  the  junior 
pilot  of  the  Squadron. 

Former  Cpl.  H.L.  Nadeau  is  the  first  of  the  "non-coms"  to  pass  successfully 
the  correspondence  course  to  become  an  Observer.  He  was  commissioned  a few  days 
ago. 

March  Field.  Riverside,  Calif..  July  1st: 

After  13  years'  service  another  war-time  1st  Lieutenant  finally  received  his 
promotion  to  Captaincy.  During  the  early  part  of  June,  R.C.W.  Blessley  was  in- 
formed that  he  was  finally  promoted  to  a Captain. 

On  June  25th,  the  Air  Corps  Primary  Flying  School,  March  Field,  graduated 
its  seventh  class  since  reopening  of  the  school  in  1927.  Nineteen  2nd  Lieuten- 
ants and  twenty-seven  Flying  Cadets  were  transferred  to  the  Air  Corps  Advanced 
Flying  School,  Kelly  Field,  Texas. 

Capts.  Dudley  B.  Howard , Edgar  P.  Sorensen,  1st  Lieuts.  W.C.  Farnum,  Law- 
rence A.  Lawson  and  Lester  M.  Rouch  and  2nd  Lieuts.  Howard  H.  Couch  and  Wilfred 
J.  Paul,  all  officers  of  the  Air  Corps  with  light er-than-air  pilots'  ratings, 
were  assigned  to  the  class  starting  July  1st  for  heavier-than-air  training. 

The  Flying  Cadets  from  the  July  1st  class  have  started  reporting.  Already 
one  hundred  and  thirteen  new  "dodos"  are  receiving  their  initiation  into  military 
life.  From  early  morn  until  sundown,  squads  of  the  new  cadets  can  be  seen  taking 
military  instruction  on  the  parade  ground.  It  is  expected  to  have  126  flying 
cadets  in  the  net/  class. 


- 226  - 


V -6065, A.C 


On  July  11th  a.  dance  is  scheduled  to  be  held  in  honor  of  our.  departing  Com- 
manding Officer  and  his  charming  wife,  Maj.or:  and  Mrs.  M.F*.  Harmon,  who  will,  soon 
leave  for  the  Command,  and  Staff  School,  Ft.  Leavenworth,  Kansas.  It  is  with  the 
deepest  regret  of  the  personnel  of.  March  Field  that  Major  and  Mrs.  Harmon  are 
leaving  our  midst.  They  have  endeared  themselves  to  the  entire  post  and  to-  the 
people  of  Riverside*  During  their  stay -here,  they  have  wholeheartedly  Centered 
into  all  activities  on  the  field,  Mrs.  Harmon  being  particularly  active  in  the 
social  field,  and  Major  Harmon  an  outstanding  figure  in  our  atbeltic  life.  He 
v/as  numbered  as  being  ore ■ of  the  best  hunters  and  fishermen  amongst  the  officer 
personnel  (deep  sea  fishing  excepted)-.;  The  entire  command  wishes  Major  and  Mrs. 
Harmon  the  best  of  luck  and  a happy' tour  at  their  new  station. 

Religious  activities,  under  the  ministration  of  Major  Charles  F.  Graeser, 
Chaplain,  are  an  outstanding  feature  of  .the  life  of  the  post,  and  they  appear  to 
grow  with  the  development  of  March  Field.  Since  the  quarters  were  finished  and 
occupied,  the  Sunday  School  has  taken  on  new  life.  Energetic  programs  contrib- 
uted by  the  Squadrons  ]^tve  served  to  add  encouraging  vitality  to  the  morning 
services,  the  men  evidencing  voluntary  .interest.  - Special  music  has  been  devel- 
oped by  each  sponsoring  unit,  and  the  wholesome ■ rivalry  has  revealed  a wide-awake 
and  up-and-coming  aggregation.  Unstinted  praise  is  due  all  those  who  have  so 
loyally  placed  themselves  into  this  worth  while  program  of  post  life.  It  is  full- 
y disclosed  that  wholesome  religion  is  ever  in  demand. 

Chanute  Field.  Rantoul.  HI..  July  1 5th* 

Lieut.  John  M,  V/eikert,  A.C.,  Assistant  Director,  Department  of  Photography, 
was  taken  suddenly  ill  with  appendicitis  and  rushed  in  the  field  ambulance  to 
Ft#  Sheridan  Hospital  for  an  emergency  operation.  The  Director  of  the  Depart- 
ment recently  .returned  from  Ft.  Sheridan  following  a similar  operation,  so  indi- 
cations are  that  in  the  near  future  we  will  hear  of  Goddard  and  Weikert  discuss- 
ing their  operations. 

On  July -8th  the  Assistant  Commandant,  Photographic  Officers  Class  and  their 
families  were  .entertained  with  a picnic  given  by  the  Director  of  the  Department 
of  Photography#  Motion  pictures  of  the  Philippine  Islands  and  China  were  shown 
following  the  refreshments,  which  were  served  from  the  new  photographic  trucks. 

The  Chanute  Field  Pistol  Club  won  the  second  of  a series  of  three  matches 
from  the  pistoleers  Club  of  Cumberland,  Md»,  here  hast  week'  when  they  turned  in 
an  aggregate  score  of  334  as  compared  to  802  for  the  Pistoleers.  The  highest 
individual  score  was  chalked  up  by  Lieut.  John  L.  Ditchings,  Governor  of  the  local 
club,  while  the  feature  of  the  match  was  the  shooting  of  Lieut.  George  H„  Spar- 
hawk,  who  raised  his  previous  score  of  192  to  215  in  the  shoot  last  week.  Lieut. 
Hitchings ’ score  was  227?  other  marks  turned  in  being  200  for  Lieut.  Minton  W. 

Kaye  and  192  for  Lieut.  Arthur  L.  Hamilton. 


/ 


- 227 


V-6065,A.C, 


NOTES  FROM  AIR  CORPS  FIELDS 
0O0 

Pace 

Demonstrating  Rimer  loan  Planes  in  Europe  ° 228  - 229 

More  About  California  Sunshine  229 

France  Field  Officers  Fly  Photographic  Mission  in  Costa  Rica  • . <>  • 229 

General  McCoy  Makes  Long  Cross-country  .........  229 

Activities  at  the  Air  Corps  Technical  School  00..0..00.00  229 

Colonel  Fickel  Goes  to  Washington*  .................  230 

Organization  Day  for  24th  Pursuit  Squadron  .....  .......  . 230 

California  National  Guard  Airmen  Spent  Two  Meeks  in  Camp  •»..«•  230  - 231 
Mitchel  Field  Airmen  Participate  in  Airport  Dedication  at  Rochester ,N*Y*  231 

An  Unusual  Crack-up.  .......... ........ ......  231 

Air  Corps  Insignia  .........................  232  - 234 

Radio  Taught  to  Students  of  Air  Corps  Engineering  School  ......  234 

Secretary  Davison  Welcomed  at  Rockwell  Field  ............  235 

Reserve  Officers  Train  at  Selfridge  Field.  .............  235 

Instrument  Flying  at  the  Advanced  Flying  School.  ..........  235 

Squadrons  in  Philippines  Celebrate  Organization  Day*  ........  236 

New  Airplanes  for  Crissy  Field  ...................  236 

New  Airplanes  for  Photographic  Work.  ................  236 

New  Type  of  Enclosure  for  Blind  Flying  ...............  237 

Aerial  Photography  Utilized  for  Correcting  Navigation  Maps  .....  237 

Fog  Flying  on  Short  Waves.  .....................  237 

Low  Wing  Monoplane  May  Be  Adopted  as  Training  Plane.  . .......  237 

Secretary  Davison  Visits  Third  Attack  Group.  ............  237 

Caterpillar  Club  Grows  and  Grows  238  - 242 

Secretary  Davison  Visits  Kelly  Field  ................  242 

Night  Flying  Over  Allegheny  Mountains.  ......... ......  242  - 243 

Considerable  Flying  Activity  at  Luke  ................  243 

Record  Firing  Practice  at  Luke  Field,  T.H.  .............  243  - 244 

Big  Times  Ahead  for  Chanute  Field,  111.  ..............  244 

A Novel  Method  of  Fighting  Flames.  .................  245 

Rockwell  Field  Participates  in  San  Diego  Booster  Day  ........  245 

Lands  Burning  Plane  and  Escapes  Injury  ...............  245 

94th  Pursuit  Squadron  Goes  on  a Shooting  Fray.  245 

0-25A  Planes  Make  Their  Appearance  at  Marshall  Field  ........  246 

Training  of  Reserve  Officers  at  Army  Air  Corps  Fields  .......  246 

War  Department  Orders  Affecting  Air  Corps  Officers  .........  247  - 243 

Successful  Parachute  Jumps  from  Planes  Flying  Formation.  ......  248 

Air  Corps  Enlisted  Men  to  Attend  Signal  Corps  Radio  School  .....  248 

Notes  from  Air  Corps  Fields.  ....................  249 


V-6  072»;i»C 


VOL.  XIV 

AT  R CORPS  NEWS 

No.  10 

Information  Division 
Air  Corps 

August  29,  1930 

Munitions  Building 
Washington,  D.C. 

Hie  chief  purpose  of  this  publication  is  to  distribute  information  on  aero- 
nautics to  the  flying  personnel  in  the  Regular  Army,  Reserve  Corps,  Rational 
Guard,  and  others  connected  with  aviation. 

0O0 

DEMONSTRATING  AMERICAN  PLANES  IN  EUROPE 
By  A.  M.  Jacobs 

After  four  months  of  demonstration  flying  in  European  capitals,  1st  Lieut. 
James  E.  Parker,  Air  Corps,  test  pilot  at  Wright  Field,  Dayton;  Ohio,  set  the 
wheels  of  a plane  down  on  home  soil  recently  and  quietly  slipped  back  into  his 
job.  Lieut.  Parker  went  to  Europe  as  a member  of  a "Flying  Mission"  organized 
by  the  Curtiss- Wright  Company  to  demonstrate  their  planes.  His  companions  on 
the  expedition  were  Pilots  Melvin  Hall  (formerly  a Major  in  the  Air  Service)  in 
charge;  Lieutenant  James  H.  Doolittle,  one  of  the  foremost  American  flyers, 
who  recently  resigned  from  the  Air  Corps;  Captain  J.  T.  Cannon,  of  Duncan 
Field,  Texas;  William  H.  Goul  ding,  . and.  two  mechanics. 

Four  planes  formed  their  fleet  -a  "Fledgeling"  (two-seater  training), 
piloted  by  Captain  Cannon;  a "Falcon"  (two-seater  observation),  piloted  by  Lieut. 
Parker;  a "Robin"  (three-seater  passenger),  piloted  by  Mr.  Goul ding,  and  a "Hawk" 
(single-seater  Pursuit),  piloted  by  Lieut.  Doolittle.  The  -party  landed  at 
Athens,  Greece,  the  latter  part  of  April  and  gave  two  flying  exhibitions  for  the 
military  and  civil  authorities,  which  Lieut.  Parker  describes  as  follows; 

"First,"  he  says,  "Camion  went  up  with  the  ^Fledgeling1*  and  showed  the  control  in 
stalls  close  to  the  ground  and  in  landings.  He  then  went  up  to  a thousand  feet, 
-put  it  through  loops,  spins,  rolls,  inverted  flight,  pulled  one  or  two  Immelmahs 
and  landed.  Then  Doolittle  and  I took  off,  did  a couple  of  dives  and  chandelles 
in  tight  formation,  then  broke  and  gave  a mock  combat  fairly  low.  Then  I took 
the  ’Falcon*  up  to  a thousand  feet  and  twisted  it  about,  followed  by  a couple  of 
dives  with  either  loops  off  the  ground  or  Immelmans , some  flying  on  the  side,  a 
fast  speed  flight  over  the  crowd,  and  landed.  Doolittle  had  climbed  to  about 
6,000  feet  by  the  time  I landed,  and  made  a power  dive,  rolled  upward,  looped 
rolling  in  the. loops,  a double  Imnelman  and  a loop  out  of  it.  He  then  dived, 
followed  by  an  inverted  climb  or  zoom,  gave  an  inverted  flight,  side  flight, 
landed,  took  off  into  a loop  and  landed.  It  lasted  about  twenty  minutes.. and  so 
was  fairly  snappy. 

"Everyone  was  more  impressed  by  our  flying  on  the  side  than  anything  else 
we  did.  They  thought  it  remarkable . " 

It  sounds  most  snappy  and  remarkable.  As  one  of  the  Greek  newspaper's, 
naively  expressed  it,  "None  of  the  French  or  other  foreign  acrobats  who  have' 
passed  through  Saloniki  have  presented  such  wonders  to  us.  Probably  their 
machines  did  not  permit  them  to  do  so.. " ' They  refer  to  Lieut.  Doolittle  as  "the 
quickest  in  the  whole  world." 

After  the  demonstration  flights,  foreign  pilots,  officials,  and  often 
royalty  and  the  family  of  royalty  were  taken  up  for  flights.  Tlius,  Lieutenant 
Parker’ ~ -pilot-book  holds  the  entry:  "Sofia,  Bulgaria  - May  8 - Prince  Cyril  for 
ride  - 25  minutes." 

From  Athens  the  party  flew  to  Saloniki,  Belgrade,  Bucharest,  Constantinople, 
Eskiselur  (the  Kelly  Field  of  Turkey  - only  bigger  even  than  Kelly,  Lieut.  Parker 
explains)?  Angora,  Budapest,  Vienna,  Munich,  Berne,  Prague,  Warsaw,  Leda,  Drinsk, 
Riga,  Kovno,  Reval,  Helsingfors,  Hahko,  Berlin,  Brussels,  Paris  and  Rotterdam. 

The  planes  were,  left  at  Rotterdam  for  shipment,  the  aviators  flying  to  London  via 
the  commercial  airways  and  sailing  for  home.  Lieut.  Parker  states  that  with  all 
the  acrobatics  the  planes  reached  the  journey* s end  without  a scratch. 

Much  of  the  flying  in  Southern  Turkey,  Greece  and  Bulgaria  was  over  rough, 
mountainous  country  without  landing  fields.  Once  in  the  Balkan  Mountains  they 
were  held  up  by  fog,  the  ohly  delay  to  their  schedule.  Flights  through  .the 
Alps,  Southern  Germany,  and  Austria  were  indescribably  beautiful. 

Everywhere  the  civil  authorities,  members  of  the  diplomatic  corps,  military 
heads,  and  the  Aero  Clubs  entertained  them  royally.  They  were  made  honorary  mem- 
bers of  most  of  the  Aero  Clubs,  and  that  of  Turkey  presented  them  with  handsome 

-228-  " V-6072,  A.C. 


gifts  upon  their  departure'.  H7ith  the  exception  of  the  major  European  powers, 
they  found  apparently  little  manufacturing  of  military  aircraft  in  progress, 
Czechoslovakia  doing  the- largest  amount. 

Since  reporting  again  at  Wright.  Field  from  his  four  months’  leave  of  absence 
from  the  Army,  Lieut,  Parker  .has  tackled  his  work  with  the  Flying  Branch  with 
all  his  old  time  enthusiasm.  He  came  to  Wright  Field  in  November,  1828,  his 
special  work  having  been  flight  testing  ever  since. 

— .qOo 

MORE  ABOUT  CALIFORNIA  -SUNSHINE 

The  News  Letter  Correspondent  from  the  Primary  Flying  School,  March  Field, 
Riverside,  Calif.,  states  that  the  climate  in  Southern  California  this  .summer' 
has  been,  as  so  frequently  expressed  by  the  natives,  "unusual."  The  days  have 
been  sunshiny  but  cool, .with  a few  short  hot  spells.  However,  as  a whole,  the 
temperature  this  summer  has  been  much  below  that  of  previous  summers.  As  a re- 
sult, several  officers  have  deferred  taking  their  leaves.  The  sunshine,  how- 
ever, has  put  a nice  coat  of  bronze  on  all  the  officers,  even  to  the  extent  that 
one  sun-browned  officer’ s 'nationality  was  questioned  by  the  U.S.  Immigration 
authorities  as  he  crossed  the  Mexican  Border  from  Agua  Calliente. 

0O0 

FRANCE  FIELD  OFFICERS  FLY  PHOTOGRAPHIC  MISSION  IN  COSTA  RICA 

No  cross-country  flights  of  any  consequence  have  been  written  into  the 
records  of  the  Field  during  the  past  two  months  with  the  exception  of  an  eight- 
day  photographic  mission  to  Costa  Rica,  reports  the  News- Letter  Correspondent 
from  France  Field,  Panama'  Canal  Zone.  This  mission  was  for  the  purpose  of  ob- 
taining aerial  photographs  of  the  proposed  route  of  the  Pan- American  Highway  for 
the  Costa  Rican  government.  First  Lieut.  A.Y.  Smith  and  Staff  Sergeant  Crow, 
of  the  12th  Photo  Section.,  and  1st  Lieut,  John  G.  Moore  and  Technical  Sergeant 
Ashby,  of  the  7th  Observation  Squadron,  were  assigned  to  the  mission.  They 
established  their  headquarters  at  San  Jose,  the  capital. 

oOo 

GENERAL  Me  COY  MAKES  LONG  CROSS-COUNTRY 

Major-General  Frank  R.  McCoy,  Commanding  General  of  the  Fourth  Corps  Area, 
made  a cross-country  flight  to  Buzzards  Bay,  Massachusetts,  in  an  0-22  from 
Maxwell  Field,  Montgomery,  Ala.,  recently.  He  was  piloted  by  Lieut.  John  W. 
Sessums,  Air  Corps. 

A week  later,  General  McCoy  arrived  at  Maxwell  Field  for  another  visit. 
Immediately  after  his  landing,  an  aerial  review  was  flown  by  the  Regular  officers 
of  the  field  and  officers  of  the  Organized  Reserve  attending  a two  weeks’  en- 
campment. Accompanying  General  McCoy  was  his  aide,  Lieut.  Wm.  S.  Biddle,  piloted  j 
by  Lieut.  Raymond  R.  Brown,  of  Atlanta,  in  0-11.  Following  the  review  the 

General  addressed  a meeting  of  the  Alabama  State  Convention  of  the  American 
Legion,  returning  to  Fort  .McPherson,  Gav,  the  following  day. 

- — oOo 

ACTIVITIES  AT  THE  AIR  CORPS  TECHNICAL  SCHOOL 

According  to  the  activity  report  of  the  Air  Corps  Technical  School  at 
Chanute  Field,  Rantoul,  111.,  for  July,  three  classes  of  enlisted  men,  compris- 
ing a total  of  24  students,  pursued  the  course  of  instruction  in  the  Department 
of  Photography.  One  class  of  six  officers  graduated  from  the  photographic  course 
on  July  14th,  and  one  class  of  five  enlisted  men  graduated  on  July  18th. 

Enlisted  students  undergoing  instruction  in  the  Department  of  Mechanics  num- 
bered 209,  with  29  men  awaiting  entrance  to  the  school.  The  instruction  .of  the 
first  classes  under  the  revised  program  of  training  which  went  into  effect  on 
July  1st  has  progressed  very  satisfactorily. 

Undergoing  instruction  in  the  Department  of  Communications  were  four  classes  j 
of  enlisted  men,  totalling  43. 

Class  No.  1,  Armament  Section,  School  Year  1930-1931,  was  assigned  but  nine 
students,  thus  cutting' down  the  number  of  graduates  per  year  which  can  be  sent 
from  this  course. 


-229- 


V-6072,  A. C. 


COLONEL  FICKEL  GOES  TO  WASHINGTON 
By  A.  M.  Jacobs 


Lieut. -Colonel  and  Mrs.  Jacob  E.  Fickel,  after  a four-year  residence,  in 
Dayton,  Ohio,  left  early  in  August  for  Washington,  D.C.,  where  the  former  will 
enter  the  Array  War  College.  This  is  the  Army1  s most  advanced  school,  its  train- 
ing preparing  the  officers  for  the  ranking  commands  and  for  the  handling  of  per- 
sonnel of  the  largest  groups.  ' Wikcugh  looking  forward  to  this  one-year  course, 
it  is  with  the  greatest  regret  that  Colonel  and  Mrs.  kicked  took  leave  of  Dayton. 
Coming  here  four  years  ago  with  General  Gjllmore,  Colonel  kicked  has  served  ever 
since  as  the  Executive  of  the  Materiel  Division,  both  under  Generals  Gillmore 
and  koulois,  except  for  a short  time  after  General  Foulois'  departure,  when  he 
acted  as  Chief  of  the  Materiel  Division.  In  this  work;  his  conscientious  effort 
and  ability  have  been  unquestioned* 

Colonel  kicked  is  one  of  the  high-ranking  Air  Corps  officers  promoted  from 
the  line,  krom  1902  to  1904  he  was  a cadet  with  the  Cdast  Guard.  Later  he  en- 
listed as  a private  of  Infantry.  It  was  not  until  1907-  that  he  was  commissioned 
a 2nd  Lieutenant.  In  1910  he  began  experimenting  with  fj.enn  Curtiss  in  firing 
guns  from  airplanes,  and  he  was  known  as  the  first  aerial  gunner.  In  1916, 
when  he  held  the  rank  of  Captain,  he  transferred  from  the  Infantry  to  the  Avia- 
tion Section  of  the  Signal  Corps.  He  served  in  many  stations  throughout  the 
United  States  and  twice  in  the  Philippine  Islands  at  five-year  intervals. 

During  the  War,  Colonel  kicked  was  flying  instructor  in  several  training 
schools  and  in  command  of  the  one  at  Carruthers  kield,  Texas,  kollowing  the 
close  of  the  War,  his  duties  lay  mostly  in  the  Office  cf  the  Chief  of  the  Air 
Corps  in  Washington,  as  Comptroller  of  the  Spruce  Production  Board,  in  the  Air 
Corps  Finance  Offices,  and  as  Chief  of  the  Supply  Division. 

Colonel  kicked  has  never  lost  his  zest  for  flying.  Recently  he  flew  from 
Florida  to  Panama  across  the  Carribean  Sea,  with  Lieut s.  Albert  F.  Hegenberger 
and  Ennis  C.  Whitehead.  A graduate  of  the  Advanced  Flying  School,  he  holds 
the  ratings  of  Airplane  Pilot  and  Airplane  Observer.  He  graduated  from  the  Air 
Corps  Tactical  School  in  1925  and  was  an  honor  graduate  of  the  Command  and 
General  Staff  School  in  the  following  year. 

oOo 

ORGANISATION  DAY  FOR  24-th  PURSUIT  SQUADRON 

The  24th  Pursuit  Squadron,  a unit  of  the  20th  Pursuit  Group,  and  which  is 
attached  to  the  6th  Composite  Group,  became  a year  older  on  July  19th,  when  it 
celebrated  "Organisation  Day"  at  the  Palm  Grove  in  the  Republic  of  Panama.  The 
party  proved  even  more  of  a success  than  was  anticipated,  and  was  attended  by 
approximately  250  officers  and  enlisted  men.  Coveralls  and  canteen  icups  com- 
prised the  uniform  for  the  day. 

— ,-o0o—  I 

CALIFORNIA  NATIONAL  GUARD  AIRMEN  SPENT  TWO  WEEKS  IN  CAMP 

The  115th  Observation  Squadron  and  115th  Photo  Section,  40th  Division 
Aviation,  California  National  Guard,  stationed  at  Griffith  Park,  Los  Angeles, 
Calif. , returned  to  their  station  on  August  9th,  after  two  weeks  spent  at  the 
annual  summer  training  cajnp  of  the  California  National  Guard  at  Camp  San  Luis 
Obispo,  located  about  half  way  between  Los  Angeles  and  San  Francisco. 

The  aviation  personnel  comprised  15  officers  and  85  enlisted  men,  and  these 
together  with  the  other  special  troops  made  up  the  Special  Unit  Area.  Nine  ships 
were  flown  to  and  from  Camp  San  Luis  Obispo,  and  aerial  operations  were  carried 
on  during  every  day  at  camp  with  total  casualties  of  one  tail  skid.  And  this  in 
the  face  of  a none  too  good  landing  field  at  the  camp. 

"We  give  all  credit  to  our  force  of  efficient  and  loyal  line  mechanics," 
says  the  News  Letter  Correspondent,  adding  that  they  labored  many  nights  into 
the  small  hours  and  missed  several  social  gatherings  in  order  to  have  the 
equipment  ready  for  the  air  the  next  morning.  "The  entire  organization  joins 
in  this  public  acknowledgment  of  the  very  fine  work  done  in  a cheerful  and 
soldier-like  manner  by  our  staff  of  •mechs.'" 

The  Squadron  carried  out  a very  Dull  schedule  of  work  in  connection  with 
the  40th  Division  Staff,  the  79th  and  80th  Brigades  and  the  special  troops,  in- 
cluding the  Signal,  Tanks,  Engineers  and  M.P.’s.  The  missions  were  varied, 

-230-  V-6072,  A.  C. 


including  at  tads:  formations  on  troops  on  the  march  and  deploying;  nhotogra-ohic 
missions,  including  verticals  and  obliques  of  given  pin-points  and  objectives; 
photography , including  the  delivery  to  the  Photo  Section  for  developing  and 
printing,  and  the . dropping  of  finished  prints  at  field  C.P's,  all  moving  on  a 
given  time  schedule;  contact  missions  with  the  Infantry  in  the  field,  including 
the  dropping  and  picking  up  of  messages;  communication  with  ground  units  of  the 
Signal  Corps  by  panels  and  Very  flares;  radio  missions  with  ground  stations, 
including  two-way  voice  and  key;  reconnaissance  and  sketching  missions;  carrying 
the  Staff  for  purposes  of  aerial  observation;  the  completion  of  a mosaic  map  of 
the  countryside  for  Staff  purposes;  machine  gunnery  with  both  fixed  front  and 
flexible  rear  guns  on  ground  targets  and  tow  targets;  and  aerial  bombing. 

The  flight  schedule  was  in  effect,  from  8:30  bo  11:00  in  the  mornings  and 
from  1:30  to  3:00  in  the  afternoons.  Cross-country  trips  for  training,  and  the 
ferrying  of  personnel  and  materiel  was  carried  on  at  all  times.  'The  total 
pilot  and  aircraft  time  for  the  two  weeks  has  not  'yet  been  compiled,1  but  each 
pilot  secured  -plenty  of  time  in  the  air,  averaging  approximately  three  hours 
a day,  plus  some  observer  time. 

The  Squadron  feels  that  this  has  been  the  most  instructive,  efficient,  well 
organized  and  disciplined  camp  it  has  ever  had  the  privilege  of  participating 
in,  and  already  looks  forward  with  pleasure  to  next  year’s  camp,  when  the 
entire  40th  Division  will  be  in  the  field  at  the  same  time. 

- — oOo- — 

MITCHEL  FIELD  AIRMEN  PARTICIPATE  IN  AIRPORT  DEDICATION  AT  ROCHESTER,  N.Y. 

By  the  News  Letter  Correspondent 

Despite  unfavorable  flying  weather,  nine  planes  under  the  command  Of  Major 
William  Ord  Ryan,  took  off  from  Mitchel  Field,  N.Y.,  for  the  Airport  opening  at 
Rochester  on  Saturday  morning,  August  16th.  The  ships,  immediately  following 
their  arrival  over  the  airport went  into  an  exhibition  of  formation  flying, 
going  from  "V"  to  echelon,  then  into  lines  and  finally  into  column  of  threes  in 
line.  Then  they  started  diving  around  the  field  and  making  a lot  of  noise 
before  finally  landing.  Sounds  tame  enough,  but  it  must  have  looked  -pretty 
good,  for  when  the  boys  climbed  out  of  the  ships  they  found  sudden  fame  awaiting. 

.The  usual  pictures  were  taken  and  then  the  flyers  were  led  away  to  lunch, 
escorted  by  no  less  than  three  brass  bands  1 They  lunched,  and  Major  Ryan  spoke, 
and  as  an  Amen  to  his  words  the  band  burst  forth  into  the  Star  Spangled  Banner. 
Too  bad  we  weren’t  all  there.  It  sounds  grand!1' 

Well,  amid  the  cheers  of  what  seemed  like  all  of  Rochester,  our  embarrassed 
heroes  left  for  their  hotel.  Several ' inf ormal  parties  were  held  in  the  evening 
before  the  banquet  of  the  year  took  place.  Eye  witnesses  say  that  no  such 
banquet  has  ever  been  before  . It  was  strictly  stag  and  almost  entirely  American 
Legion.  Everyone  had  a great  time  and  very  few  were  injured  in  the  plate  throw- 
ing contest  that  climaxed  and  ended  the  party. 

The  next  day  the  hospitable  Rochesterites  took  our  pilots  to  their  country 
clubs  to  swim,  play  golf  or  tennis,  or  loaf,  according  to  their  individual  dis- 
positions. And  on  Monday  our  lads  reluctantly  started  home. 

There  are  all  sorts  of  airport  openings,  but  Major  Ryan’s  team  is  unanimous 
in  proclaiming  this  the  best  of  all.  Joe  Baylor  of  Old  Kentucky  was  heard  to 
remark  that  Rochester  hospitality  was  as  good  as  that  at  home.  What  more  can 
he  said? 

oOo 

AN  UNUSUAL  CRACK- UP 

Brooks  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  was  the  scene  of  an  mrnsual  crack-up 
several  days  ago,  when  an  A-3B  airplane,  piloted  by  Lieut.  Frank  F.  Everest,  Jr., 
of  Fort  Crockett,  Texas,  in  attempting  a landing,  -pounced  upon  a PT-3  airplane 
of  Brooks  Field,  parked  on  "dead  line,"  -which  was  occupied  by  Lieut.  H.S. 

Sanders,  pilot,  and  Cadet  Miles,  passenger.  The  tail  and  right  wing  of  Lieut. 
Sanders'  plane  was  wrecked.  Lieut,  Everest, 'in  explaining  the  accident,  stated 
that  he  was  under  the  impression  that  Lieut.  Sanders  was  preparing  to  taxy  from 
the  line,  and  so  attempted  to  land  in  place. 

- — oOo 

Correspondents  are  requested  to  send. in  their  contributions  for  the  Air 
Corps  News  Letter  on  the  1st  and  15th  of  every  month. 

-331- 


V-6072,  A. C. 


AIR  CORPS  INSIGNIA 


"Say,  how  can  you  pilots  tell  your  friends  \7hen  you  get  to  scrappin*  'way 
up  in  the  air?" 

This  question  was  asked  at  a large  airport  on  the  Pacific  Coast,  where 
practically  all  the  fighting  units  of  Uncle  Sam's  Amy  Air  Corps  were  assembled 
in  an  organization  known  as  the  Provisional  Wing.  They  were  demonstrating  to 
the  people  of  a Southern  California  city  how  the  Air  Corps  operates,  how  the 
various  planes  fly  and  fight,  and  what  the  highly  trained  pilots  can  do  with 
their  machines  in  the  way  of  combat,  formation,  bombing,  and  other  types  of 
flying  for  which  the  planes  are  designed  and  built. 

On  a tower  near  the  Administration  Building  of  the  airport,  two  tensely 
busy  officers  alternated  in  watching  the  planes  and  broadcasting  to  the  crowds 
a description  of  these  planes  and  the  meaning  of  their  bewildering  evolutions. 
Pirst  on  the  'program  were  the  planes  of  the  3rd  Attack  Group,  demonstrating  how 
Attack  planes  would  "strafe"  ground  troops.  The  whole  array  of  150  participat- 
ing aircraft  had  taken  off  from  the  field,  and  retired  to  some  distant  -point. 
Suddenly  over  the  treetops  - "hedgehopping,"  to  use  an  air  term  - swooped  a 
formation  of  nine  planes  at  full  throttle.  On  their  flanks  they  all  bore  the 
same  design.  Speeding  up  to  their  maximum  of  151  miles  an  hour,  they  dove  at 
the  field,  not  ten  feet  off  the  ground,  and  in  a twinkling  they  were  gone, 
being  in  view  not  more  than  a few  seconds. 

But  the  officers  at  the  "mike"  had  spotted  the  designs  and  over  the  loud- 
speaker came  the  announcement; 

"Attack  planes  of  the  8th  Squadron!"  Then,  as  another  formation  swept 
past,  coming  from  the  direction  the  others  had  departed,  the  loudspeakers 
rumbled:  " — followed  by  those  of  the  13th  Squadron."  After  a momentary  pause, 
during  which  a third  group  of  planes  swooped  from  nowhere  and  were  gone  in  a 
screaming  dive;  " — and  then  by  those  of  the  90th  Squadron." 

To  the  onlookers  the  Attack  planes  all  looked  alike.  In  fact,  the  announce- 
ment conveyed  the  information  that  they  were  all  Curtiss  Falcons.  That  the  an- 
nouncer knew  in  advance  the  sequence  of  the  attacking  squadrons  and  could  so 
announce  them  was  quite  possible.  Later,  however,  when  one  among  the  75  Pursuit 
planes  then  in  the  air  came  down  because  of  motor  trouble  and  the.  announcer  call- 
ed its  squadron  as  it  taxied  to  the  line,  the  average  spectator  doubtless  was 
puzzled  to  know  how  the  ship  was  .identified  so  readily. 

When  all  planes  were  once  more  parked  on  the  field  after  the  demonstration, 
a closer  inspection  was  made  by  many  7of  the  sweqtators.  From  a distance  every 
plane  of  the  type  looked  exactly  alike.  ' For  instance,  one  Boeing  Pursuit  plane 
looked  like  another,  as  did  a Curtiss  Hawk.  One  Keystone  Bomber  looked  like 
another  Keystone  Bomber.  One  Attack  plane  looked  like  another — or  did  they 
really?  What  was  that  spot  on  the  side  of  the  body,  or  fuselage,  of  the  Attack 
plane  parked  at  that  end  of  the  line'  that  made  its  appearance  differ  from  that 
of  an  Attack  plane  parked  elsewhere  on  the  field?  Why  should  that  mark;  on  the 
nose,  of  one  Bomber  differ  so  from  the  mark  on  another  Bomber's  nose? 

"Insignia,"  laconically  explained  one  of  the  leather-jacketed  flyers.  "Each 
Group  and  each  Squadron  within  a Group  has  its  distinctive  insignia.  Each  fly- 
ing officer,  in  fact,  has  his  squadron  insignia  painted  on  the  breast  of  his 
leather  jacket.  . That's  so  the  squadron  commander  can  quickly  call. his  men  about 
him  for  a conference  before  taking  off. 

"See  this?"  pointing  to  a bomb- throwing  pirate  realistically  poised  in  paint 
on  his  jacket.  "That's  the  insignia  of  the  20th  Bombardment  Squadron,  the  best 
outfit " 

"Yeah,  after  the  96th!"  cut  in  another  sun- tanned  airman.  "Here's  ours," 
and  he  pointed  to  a nose- thumbing,  bomb- clutching  devil  all  in  vivid  red. 

This  sounded  fine.  Seeking  more  information,  the  inquirer  was  obligingly 
escorted  on  a tour  of  the  parked  planes  by  the  pair  of  friendly  rival  aviators. 
Insignia,  it  was  soon  learned,  stood  for  something  besides  just  a means  of  iden- 
tification. Each  design  represented  either  the  duty  engaged  In  by  the  outfit 
that  bore  it  or  the  achievements  of  that  outfit,  and  sometimes  both.  They  might 
be  beautiful,  artistic,  grotesque,  formal,  or  almost  ribald,'  but  they  all  had  a 
meaning. 


Usually  only  one  plane  had  the  insignia  of  the  Group,  a. Group  being  composed 
of  one  or  more  squadrons.  This  was  the  Group  Commander's  plane.  ~That  of  the  2nd 
Bombardment  Group  \?as  significant.  It  assumes  as  its  chief  the  recent  activities 
of  the  Group  over  the  battlefields  of  France.  Along  the  head  of  the  shield  are 

-232-  V-6072,  A.C. 


-five  scalloped  palets,  each  one  representing  one  of  the  five  major  offensives 
in. which  the  Group  participated  - Cantigny,  Aisne- Marne,  St*  Mihiel,  Chateau- 
Thierry , and  Meuse-Argonne . The  center  palet  hears  a white  f leur-de-lys , sym- 
bolizing Prance.  The  shield  itself  is  gold,  with  four  blue  aerial  homhs  in 
its  center.  Blue  and  gold  are  the  Air  Corps  colors  and  the  four  homhs  are  the 
four  combatant  squadrons  which  comprised  the  Group.  Beneath  the  shield  is  the 
motto:  "Mors  Et  Destruction  (Death  and  Destruction),  an  aworopriate  one  for  a 
bombardment  outfit. 

Without  doubt  the  squadron  insignia  of  the  outfits  in  this  Second  Bombard- 
ment Group  stand  out  most  clearly  in  one’s  memory.  The  20th  Squadron  has  a 
pirate  hurling  a hand  grenade.  As  he  dashes  to  the  attack  he  trods  a horizontal 
aerial  bomb  with  two  bands  and  eleven  crosses.  The  two  bands  stand  for  the 
major  offensives  in  which  this  squadron  played  a leading  part,  bringing  down 
eleven  enemy  planes  while  defending  themselves  on  their  bombing  raids  over  the 
enemy  lines  in  the  late  war. 

A red  devil  thumbing  his  nose  at  his  target  (whatever  the  target  may  be) 
on  the  ground  is  the  insignia  of  the  96th  Squadron.  The  devil  holds  an  aerial 
bomb  with  the  other  hand.  The  49th  Squadron  insignia  shows  a wolf’s  head,  mouth 
open,  teeth  bared.  War  is  no  gentle  art,  nor  do  these  designs  as  a general  rule 
depict  pastoral  scenes. 

Yet  not  so  grim  are  the  insignia  of  the  service  squadrons  of  the  Air  Corps  - 
those  hard-working  units  charged  with  engineering  and  repair  work  for  the  group 
of  which  they  are  a part.  A beaver  -’symbol  of  their  busy  life  - is  worn  by  the 
59th  Service  Squadron,  The  56th  Service  Squadron’s  insignia  is  a hawk  with  a 
broken  wing,  perched  on  a -post,  while  that  of  the  66th  Service  Squadron  shows  a 
large  gear  wheel,  with  four  smaller  gears  radiating  from  the  master  gear  at  90 
degree  intervals.  This  latter  squadron  is  part  of  the  Conposite  Group  in  the 
Philippine  Islands,  and  the  four  smaller  gears  represent  the  four  squadrons  Of  a 
well  balanced  Composite  Group  - Pursuit,  Attack,  Bombardment  and  Observation. 

Graphically  representative  are  the  insignia  of  the  school  squadrons.  Peer- 
ing through  a telescope,  a broadly  caricatured  bird  identifies  the  Air  Corps 
Advanced  Plying  School,  located  at  Kelly  Field,  Texas.  This,  is  an  Observation 
school  squadron  and  the  telescope  represents  observation  aviation.  In  one  of 
the  bird’s  claws  reposes  a brick  - ancient  means  of  defense.  One  must  suppose 
that  the  Squadron’s  commanding  officer  at  the  time  was  an  Irishman  to  thus  depict 
this  bit  of  "confetti."  The  40th  School  Squadron,  a bombing  school  outfit,  also 
at  Kelly  Field,  has  a wedge  shaped  book,  showing  its’  student  members  that  by 
hard  study  one  may  wedge  his  way  toward  successful  graduation.  On  the  book  is  a 
bat,  symbolizing  the  nocturnal  activity  in  burning,  the  midnight  oil.  The  body 
of  the  bat,  appropriately  enough,  is  an  aerial  bomb. 

The  Air  Corps  Tactical  School  at  Langley  Field,'  Va. , has  an  insignia  embrac- 
ing all  four  types  of  military  aviation.  Four  lightning  streaks  flash  from  the 
mailed  fist  of  mars.  One  streak  parallels  the  horizon.  That  stands  for  Pursuit 
aviation,  the  mission  of  which  is  to  fight  aircraft  in  the  air.  Three  other 
streaks  flash  downward  towards  the  earth,  and  these  stand  for  Observation,  Bom- 
bardment and  Attack  aviation,  which  carry  their  destructive  warfare  against 
ground  troops.  Included  in  this  school’s  insignia  is  a lamp  - the  lamp  of 
knowledge  - appropriate  for  a school.  The  shield  is  divided  in  its  background 
into  green,  the  earth  below,  and  blue,  the  sky  above. 

Another  organization  well  known  to  airminded  America  is  the  First  Pursuit 
Group,  stationed  at  Self ridge  Field,  which  also  was  at  the  maneuvers  on  the  . 
Pacific  Coast.  Its  insignia  is  topped  with  the  motto  "Ant  Vincere  Aut  tori" 
(Conquer  or  Die).  Which  is  precisely  what  Pursuit  craft  must  do  for,  having  no 
defensive  armament  to  their  rear,  this  type  of  plane  must  fight  it  out  to  the 
end  in  the  skies.  To  turn  tail  would  be  to  perish.  Literally  they  must  conquer 
or  die.  Below  the  motto  of  the  First  Pursuit  Group  is  a shield  with  five  stripes 
and  five  black  crosses,  representing  the  five  squadrons  which  the  Group  had  when 
it  was  in  action  and  the  five  major  engagements  credited  to  the  outfit  for  its 
World  War  service. 

The  17th  Squadron  of  this  famous  Group  has  for  its  insignia  a snow  owl  div- 
ing on  its  prey.  This  bird  symbolizes  the  Arctic,  weather  experienced  five  miles 
aloft,  at  which  altitude  Pursuit  aviation  fights.  The  27th  Squadron.’ s crest  is 
a hawk. diving  to  attack.  The  94th  Squadron’s  once  was  the  old  hat- in- the-r ing, 
but  this  has  been  changed  to  an  Indian  with  mouth  distended  in  a lusty  war-whoop. 

An  artistic  emblem  is  the  Third  Attack  Group’s.  A shield  contains,  a knight’s 
helmet  and  a pair  of  wings,  with  the -motto.  "Hon  Solum  Armis  (Hot  by  Arms  Alone). 

As  one  young  member  of -the  Group  explained,  "The  noise  of  the  roaring  planes, 

-233-  V~6072,A.C. 


diving  on  a 'bunch  of  ground  troops , 'scares  as  many  of  ’em  to  death  as  the  "bul- 
lets and  bombs  from  the  planes  kill  or  wound , ” The  insignia  also  contains  nine- 
teen black- crosses,  the  number  of  enemy  planes  its  members  brought  down  in 
France.  In  the  Third  Attack  Group  are  also  the  8th  Attack  Squadron,  with  an 
eagle,  its  wings  extended  and  the  Liberty  Bell  held  in  its  claws;  the  13th 
Attack  Squadron,  with  a skeleton  swinging  a scythe,  and  the  90th  Attack  Squad- 
ron, with  two  red  dice.  The  cubes  have  just  rolled  a "natural." 

The  Observation  units,  too,  have  their  insignia.  There  is  the  Ninth 
Group’s,  stationed  at  Mitchel  Field,  L.I.,  which  has  a shield  topped  by  a crest 
and  standing  on  a scroll.  The  crest  is  a rattlesnake  entwined  about  some 
cactus.  Service  with  Pershing  in  Mexico  justifies  the  design  of  that  crest, 
while  the  wavy  line  running  through  the  middle  of  the  Ninth  Group’s  shield 
symbolizes  the  Rio  Grande.  A quartet  of  crosses  on  the  shield  is  for  the  four 
major  engagements  of  the  Group  in  France  and  for  the  fact  that  the  greatest 
number  of  enemy  planes  brought  down  in  any  engagement  was  that  number.  The 
scroll  simply  says  "Semper  Paratus"  (Always  Ready). 

Most  catchy  of  all,  probably,  is  the  11th  Bombardment  Squadron’s  insignia. 

It  shows  Jiggs,  comic  creation  of  George  McManus,  celebrated  cartoonist.  The 
portly  Jiggs  is  bringing  home  the  bacon  - which  in  this  case  is  an  aerial  bomb 
held  under  one  arm.  Strolling  airily  along,  Jiggs  is  puffing  on  an  important 
looking  cigar,  tilted  at  a cocky  angle. 

Another  insignia  which  has  been  much  photographed  of  late  is  that  of  the 
95th  Pursuit  Squadron,  stationed  at  Rockwell  Field,  Caiif . , owing  to  that  out- 
fit's activities  at  extremely- high  altitudes.  This  insignia  shows  a kickingArmy 
mule  whose  name  might  well  be  Dynamite,  judging  from  its  dangerous  appearance. 

The  domed  National  Capitol  is  the  insignia  of  the  Air  Corps  Detachment  at 
Bolling  Field,  Washington,  D.C.  Carrying  out  the  motif  of  its  pictorial  insig- 
nia this  outfit  has  named  each  of  its  ^planes  after  a State  of  the  Union.  When- 
ever possible,  in  assigning  a wlane  to  a flight  to  a distant  State,  the  Command- 
ing Officer  orders  out  a plane  of  corresponding  name. 

Painting  of  insignia  on  planes  is  usually  done  on  the  sides  of  the  fuselage, 
back  of  the  rear  cockpit.  In  Bombers,  however,  they  are'  shown  on  either  side 
of  the  nose.  They  are  bright  colored  against  the  somber,  olive-drab  tone  of 
the  -plane,  and  hence  show  out  startingly  to  the  trained  observer.  The  untrained 
one  is  able  to  discern  them  when  the  planes  are  parked  on  the  flying  field,  but 
it  was  hard  to  differentiate  the  insignia  when  the  ulanes  were  flashing  by  over 
one's  head  at  well  over  a hundred  miles  an  hour. 

The  curious  inquirer  who  started  the  questions  about  Insignia  was  taken  for 
a ride  in  one  of  the  Bombardment  formations  over  the  vicinity  of  the  airport. 

He  was  seated  in  the  rear  cockpit,  out  near  the  tail.  On  either  side  of  him, 
flying  in  such  close  formation  that  their  wing-tips  almost  brushed  the  tail 
group  of  his  plane,  were  two  other  bombers.  The  nose  of  one  bore  a red  devil 
thumbing  his  nose.  Believe  it  or  not,  it  was  looking  straight ' into  the  passen- 
ger’s face.  The  plane  on  the  other  side  bore  a wolf's  head,  a menacing,  snarling 
wolf.  Believe  it  or  not  again,  one  could  see  this  wolf  slavering  at  the  mouth. 

Until  the  formation  loosened  up,  the  ride  "as  not  particularly  enjoyable. 
Insignia  do  mean  something,  oOo 

RADIO  TAUGHT  TO  STUDENTS  OF  AIR  CORPS  ENGINEERING  SCHOOL 

A course  in  Radio  is  being  given  to  the  officers  of  the  Air  Corps  Engineer- 
ing School  at  fright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio.  The  students  have  completed  the  labo- 
ratory work, and  flights,  using  the  Wright  Field  beacon,  have  been  started.  Two- 
way  communication  is  being  established  between  airplanes  and  the  Radio  Laboratory 

oOo- — 

A test  was  recently  made  at  Wright  Field  of  the  quick-work  plate  developing 
outfit  (developed  at  the  Materiel  Division),  with  very  satisfactory  results. 

The  Douglas  XC-2H  airplane,  A.C.  No.  29-161,  took  off  at  11:15  a.m. , with  a 
quick-work  plate  developing  outfit  and  a K-6  camera.  Three  pictures  of  Wright 
Field  and  one  of  the  Fairfield  Air  Depot  were  obtained  and  developed  in  the  air. 
On  reaching  the  ground  at  11:45  a.m.,  the  plates  were  thoroughly  dry  and  ready 
for  making  prints.  An  attempt  \7ill  be  made  in  the  near  future  to  make  photo- 
graphic -prints  from  negatives  in  the  air,  during  the  daytime. 

-234- 


V-6072,A. C. 


SECRETARY  DAVISON  WELCOMED  AT  ROCKWELL  FIELD 

Something'  unusual . in  "warm  welcomes"  was  extended,  the  Hon.  F.  Truhee 
Davison,  Assistant.  Secretary' of  War  for'1  Aeronautics',  on  August  Sth  by  the  Pursuit 
Squadron  stationed.,  at  Rockwell  Field,  "Coronado,  Calif.  As  Mr.  Davison',  flying 
in  a special  Fleetster,  the  Army* s fastest  plane , reached  the  ship's  celling  of 
“between  20,000  and  25,000  feet  over  the- •valley  city  of  El  Centro  and  was  speeding 
towards  Rockwell  Field  at  180  miles  per'  hour  in  comparative  safety,  planes  of  the 
95th  Pursuit  Squadron,  the  only  air  unit  to  have  flown  in  formation  above  30,000 
feet,  dove -from  their  record  altitude  and  riddled  his  ship  with  theoretical 
machine,  gun . bullets .'  Following  the  sham  annihilation,  the  Pursuit  Squadron 
escorted  their  distinguished  visitor  t:ov "Rockwell  Field. 

Captain  Ira  C.  Eaker,  of  "Question  -Mark"  fame,  piloted  the  net;  high  speed 
Transport  in  which  Secretary  D&vi son  was1- the  passenger. 

Before  Mr.  Davison  arrived- at  Rockwell  Field,  Pursuit  planes  and' six 
Bombers  from  Rockwell  Field  were  sent  to'  four  outlying  emergency  fields.  All 
were  in  communication  with  the  "’flagship,"'  a radio-equipped  Bomber  at  Rockwell 
Field.  Soon  after  he  arrived  he  took  the1  air  in  the  "flagship,"  and  when  it 
took  off  word  was  flashed  by-  radio  to  each  group  of  an  imaginary  attack  by  planes 
from  aircraft  carriers  at  sea  and  the  designation  given  where  all  should  assemble 
to  meet  the  slip  )Osed  enemy.  Within  half  an  hour  from  the  time  the  orders  were 
received,  i;>lanes  from  all  directions  assembled  over  Point  Loma  ready  to  repel  the 
attack  of  the  theoretical  enemy. 

This  experiment  successfully  demonstrated  that  airplanes  could  be  scattered 
so  widely  that  a concentrated  enemy  attack  could  not  paralyze  our  friendly  forces. ; 
Due  to  radio  communication,-  friendly  airplanes  would  be  available  for  concentrated 
action  in  a few  minutes  time. 

Following  the  demonstration  of  radio  formation 'flying,  a tea  dance  was-, given  ! 
in  honor  of  Mr.  Davison  by-  the  ladies  and  officers  of  Rockwell  Field  at  the  - 
Officers'.  Club,  Among  the  guests  attending  were  the  Mayor  of  San  Diego,  Admiral 
J.M.  Reeves  and  Staff,  the  President  and  Secretary  of  the  San  Diego  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  Major  T.C.  Macaulay,  and  many  Navy  and  Marine  Corps  .officers. 

— *o0o* — 

RESERVE:  OFFICERS  TRAIN  AT  SELFRIDGE  FIELD 


The  first  Reserve  Officers'  training  camp  of  the  year  at.Selfridge  Field, 

Mt.  Clemens,  Mich.,  took  place -between  July  5th  and  July  18th,  Lieut.  Robert  D. 
Moor,  Commanding  Officer  of  the  17th  Pursuit  S qua dr on , being  in' charge.  The 
encampment  was  a complete-  success  both  for  the  -Reserve  Officers  .and  the  officers 
of  the  17th  Pursuit  Squadron  in  charge  of  training.  In  spite  of  the  unavoidable 
delays  incident  to  the.  organization  of -the  first  camp  and  the  scarcity  o.f  service 
type  planes,  an  unusual  amount  of  flying  time  was  accumulated  by  the  Reserve 
Officers  during  the  two  weeks  of  the  encampment. 

The  officers  and  ladies  of  the  Post  and  Group  Headquarters  and  the  17th 
Pursuit  Squadron  were  entertained  at  dinner  by  the  visitors  at  the  end  of  the 
camp.  This  inaugurated  a new  custom  of  having  the  ladies  present  at  the  usual 
dinner  which  marks  the  breaking  up  of  the  Reserve  Officers  training  camp. 

oOo- 


INSTRUMENT  FLYING  AT  THE  ADVANCED  FLYING  SCHOOL 


The  Air  Corps  Advanced  Flying  School  at  Kelly  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas, 
organized  a course  in  instrument  flying,  and  during  the  period  from  June  15th  to 
July  25th  gave  instruction  to  40  instructors  at  the  School.  The  students  of  the 
present  class  began  instruction  in  instrument  flying  on  July  28th. 

The  course  consists  of  7-g-  hours  of  flying  under  the  hood.  Five  PT^-3's  have 
been  fitted  with  hoods  over  the  rear  cockpits;.  . Flight  indicators  (the  regular 
service  type  bank  and  turn  indicators),  compass,  airspeed  indicator,  and  a clock 
have  been  installed  in  the  rear  cockpit.  '•  The  course  consists  of  straight  flying, 
turns,  climbing  turns,  wingovers,  spins,  and  a triangular  cross-country  flight  of 
about  two  hours'  duration.  Every  student  in  the  present  class  will  take  the 
course  in  instrument  flying. 

The  Hon.  F.  Trubee  Davison,  Assistant  Secretary  of  War  for  Aeronautics,  and 
Major  D.  C.  Emmons  received  a half  hour ' s ' instruction  in  instrument  flying  under 
the  hood  during  their  recent  inspection  of  Kelly  Field. 

-235- 


V-S072,  A. C. 


SQUADRONS  IN  PHILIPPINES  CELEBRATE  ORGANIZATION  DAY 


Two  Air  Corps  Squadrons  stationed  at  Nichols  Field,  P.I.,  recently  celebrat- 
ed Organization  Day.  The  personnel  of  the  60th  Service  Squadron  made  merry  on 
June  6th  at  the  Metropolitan  ’water  Works  at  Mental-ban,  arriving  at.  that  place 
after  a two  hours1  ride  by  track  from  the  field.  Prom  ten  to  twelve.  o{ clock 
swimming  was  indulged. in,  and  this  gave  the  men  a hearty  appetite  for  the  Dutch 
lunch  which  followed.  The  return  trip  to  the  field  was  started  at  4:00  o* clock, 
and  a tired  but  happy  squadron  reached  their  home  station  two  hours  later.  Prom 
all  reports,  Organisation  Day  was  a complete  success. 

The  28th  Bombardment  Squadron  observed  its  annual  Organization  Day  on  June 
25th,  "and  what  a day!"  comments  the . News  Letter  Correspondent . Lieuts.  Morris 
and  Myers  were  present  to  make  sure  that  the  refreshments  were  of  a high  grade 
quality.  The  food  annihilated  comprised  20  lbs.  of  Limburger , 50  lbs.  of  Swiss 
Cheese,  the  same  quantity  of  sandwich  meat,  35  lbs.  of  boiled  ham,  120  lbs.  pigs 
feet,  6 gallons  of  dill  pickles,  rye  bread,  white,  bread  and  rolls  of  every 
description,  and  plenty  of  soft  drinks.  It  is  needless  to  say  a good  time  was 
had  by  all. 

The  Tug  of  War  was  called  after  the  third  pull  when  it  was  discovered  that 
the  Privates  had  their  end  of  the  rope  anchored  to  a steel  structure,  a govern- 
ment owned  hangar.  There  were  a number  of’  horseshoe  pitching  contests  and  other 
forms  of  sport,  such  as  water  polo  and  foot  races, 

oOo 

NEW  AIRPLANES  FOR  CRISSY  • FIELD 

The  activities  at  Crissy  Field',  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Calif . , were  . 
greatly  increased  recently ‘and  the  morale  of  all  the  pilots  raised  considerably 
due  to  the  fact  that  the  work  of  ferrying  13  new  Douglas  0-25A  airplanes  from 
the  Douglas  plant  at  Santa  Monica  was  completed..  This  -plane  is  equi-pped  with  a 
600  horsepower  "Conqueror"  engine,  and  the  performance  has. been  found  to  be  sat- 
isfactory, although  it  is  expected  the  planes  will  give  a better  performance  when 
the  new  steel  propellers  are:  received. 

Observers  are  particularly  enthusiastic,  as  the  rear  cockpit  is  the  most 
comfortable  of  any  planes  previously  used  at. Crissy  Field.  The  new  planes  had 
hardly  arrived  when,  after  an  engineering  check,  the  pilots  started  using  them 
on  cooperative  missions  Up  and  down  the  Pacific  Coast  from  San  Diego  to  Seattle 
and  going  into  Montana  and  Utah.  These  missions  have  been  delayed  owing  to  the 
great  shortage  of  equipment,  but  it  now.  appears  that  the  personnel  of  the  field 
will  now  be  able  to  carry  out  their  copperative  training  schedule. 

At  the  present  time  three. ships,  two  equipped  for  radio  and  one  for  tow 
target  work,  are  on  cooperative  missions  with  military  posts  in  the  Northwest, 
including  Vancouver,  Fort  Lewis,  Fort  George  Wright  and  Spokane,  Washington;  Fort 
Missoula,  Montana,  and  Fort  Douglas,  Utah.  This  work  is  always  extremely  inter- 
esting and  consists  of  towing  targets  for  anti-aircraft  artillery  and  small  arms 
firing,  infantry  contact  and  liaison,  and  two-way  radio,  communication  by  both 
code  end  voice.  The  personnel,  participating  are  1st  Lieuts.  Harvey  W,  Prosser, 
Flight  Commander;  2nd  Lieuts.  George  W.  Hansen,  Walter  A.  Fenander  and  Paul  T. 
Cullen, 

o.06“—  . 

..'..NEW  AIRPLANE  FOR  PHOTOGRAPHIC  WORK  . 

Lieut.  Edwin  B.  Bobzien,  Air  Corps ,•  stationed  at  Crissy  Field,  Presidio  of 
San  Francisco,  Calif.,  i ^cently  returned  from  the  East,  where  he  took  delivery 
on  a new  Fairchild  photographic- airplane.  He  is  now. .on  a project  for  the 
Geological  Survey  on  the  Olympic  Peninsula  in  Washington* 

The  new  Fairchild  71,  equipped  with  a "Wasp"  engine  is,,  according,  to  all  re- 
ports, almost  ideal  for  photographic  work,  particularly  in  the  high  western 
country.  On  the  Mt.  Olympus  project,  which  involves  an  area  of  about  1800  square 
miles,  the  new  four  lense  camera  is  being  used.  It  will  also  be  used  on  another 
project  at  Red  Lodge,  Montana,  covering  about  400  square  miles.  Lieut.  Bobzien 
is  the  pilot  and  Master  Sergeant  Raymond  Stockwell  accompanies  him  as  photographer 
on  both  of  these  missions.  They  have  installed  a photo  base  at  Fort  Lewis,  Wash., 
Where  their  photo  truck  is  stationed.  These  -projects  will  occupy  most  of  the 
summer  and  fall. 


-236- 


V-6072,  A.  C 


NEW  TYPE  OF  ENCLOSURE  FOR  BLIND  FLYING 


Since  the  original  type  of  enclosure  for  Blind,  flying,  made  from 
canvas  and  steel  tube  framework,  was  found  unsatisfactory  through  numerous 
tests,  a design  was  completed  at  the  Materiel  Division,  Wright  Field,  Dayton, 

Ohio,  of  a light-proof  detachable  enclosure,  incorporating  permanent  fasten- 
ings and  shadow-proof  glass  with  removable  top  cowl.  This  enclosure  is  for  the 
0-2H  type  airplanes,  and  the  fabrication  of  one  article  is  practically  complete. 

— -oOo 

AERIAL  PHOTOGRAPHY  UTILIZED  FOR  CORRECTING  NAVIGATION  MAPS 

A Wright  Field  pilot  recently  made  a photographic  flight  from  Richmond,  Ind. 
to  Columbus,  Ohio,  at  an  altitude  of  22,000  feet,  using  one  of  the  new  Type  T-2A 
cameras.  Pictures  were  taken  with  an  overlap  of  about  20$.  A strip  approximate-  : 
ly  14  miles  wide  and  110  miles  long  was  photographed  in  47  minutes.  These  photo- 
graphs will  be  used  in  connection  with  the  correction  of  air  navigation  maps. 

It  is  intended  to  fly  a continuous  strip  to  Uniontown,  Pa. , at  the  same 
altitude  as  soon  as  weather  permits. 

oOo 

FOG  FLYING  ON  SHORT  WAVES 

Flight  tests  were  recently  made  at  the  Fairfield  Air  Depot,  ^airfield,  Ohio, 
of  an  ultra-short  wave  projector  for  the  -purpose  of  studying  the  merit  of  ultra- 
short  waves  as  boundary  markers.  Using  a doublet  antenna  2 meters  long  and  a 
super  regenerative  detector,  followed  by  two  stages  of  audio  amplification,  the 
signals  were  very  strong  at  an  altitude  of  7,000  feet  with  the  beam  projected 
upward.  At  this  altitude  the  beam  was  about  three  miles  wide. 

Another  test  with  the  beam  directed  outside  the  field  at  an  angle  of  45 
degrees  above  the  ground  indicated  strong  signals  ten  miles  out  at  an  altitude 
of  8,000  feet.  At  low  altitudes  very  sharp  visual  indications  of  the  boundary 
of  the  field  were  obtained,  replacing  the  receiver  by  a crystal  rectifier  and  a 
microammeter.  This  last  equipment  shows  clearly  that,  with  enough  power  in  the 
transmitter,  the  weight  of  the  receiving  equipment  can  be  reduced  to  a few  ounces, 

oOo- — 

LOW' WING  MONOPLANE  MAY  BE  ADOPTED  AS  TRAINING  PLANE 

Piloting  an  XPT-7  low  wing  monoplane,  Lieut.  Wendell  H.  Brookley,  formerly 
Operations  Officer  at  Brooks  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  and  now  stationed  at  Wrigh 
Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  recently  visited  Brooks  Field  for  a brief  period.  He  was 
enroute  to  March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif.,  where  it  is  proposed  to  make  tests  of 
his  plane  to  determine  its  suitability  for  adoption  for  use  in  primary  training. 

The  XPT-7  is  powered  with  a Kinner  YR  570  radial  engine,  100  horse-power,  and, 
if  the  tests  prove  satisfactory,  it  may  be  substituted  for  the  PT-3  airplane  now 
in  use.  After  the  tests  at  March  Field,  Lieut.  Brookley  will  return  to  Brooks 
Field  where  further  tests  of  the  monoplane  will  be  made. 

oOo 

SECRETARY  DAVISON  VISITS  THIRD  ATTACK  GROUP 

The  Hon.  F.  Trubee  Davison,  Assistant  Secretary  of  War  for  Aeronautics, 
visited  Fort  Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas,  on  July  31st  and.  inspected  the  Third 
Attack  Group.  Exhibitions  of  aerial  maneuvering,  machine  gun  firing  and  bombing 
were  given  shortly  following  his  arrival  at  the  field.  A night  aerial  demonstra- 
tion was  also  given.  Several  parachute  flares  were  dropped  over  the  Gulf,  and 
a three-plane  formation  was  flown,  these  planes  being  rigged  up  with  small  colored 
lights  on  the  leading  edge  of  the  lower  wings,  under  the  fuselage  and  on  the  tail 
group. 

Secretary  Davison  left  the  next  morning  but  not  until  he  had  praised  the 
Group  for  their  splendid  aerial  exhibitions  and  high  efficiency.  During  his  short 
stay  at  Fort  Crockett  he  was  the  guest  of  Major  Davenport  Johnson,  the  Commanding 
Officer. 


-237- 


V-6072 , A.  C. 


CATERPILLAR  CLUB  GROWS  AND  GROWS 

Once  more  the  unofficial  historian,  recorder,  or  what  have  you,  of  the 
Caterpillar  Club  started  a check  up’ on  the  new  members  initiated  into  this  fa- 
mous mythical  drganization,  and  he  has  found  that  parachute  jumping  is  still  a 
popular  outdoor  sport  although,  seriously  speaking,  it  is  anything  hut  that. 

Before  mentioning  any  new  names,  it  may  he  appropriate  to  state  that  in 
the  previous  resume  of  the  activities  of  the  Caterpillars,  which  appeared  in 
the  Air  Corps  News  Letter  of  July  28th,  pages  210-212  and  220,  the  total  number 
of  names  on  the  roster  was  257,  with  269  as  the  total  number  of  emergency  jumps, 
twelve  jumps  being  repeaters. 

If  the  number  of  new  Caterpillars  about  to  be  inscribed  on  the  Caterpillar 
Club  Register  has  any  significance  at  all,  it  seems  that  it  will  not  be  long 
before  the  300  mark  will  be  reached.  The  new  members  are  enumerated  below,  as 
follows : 


Date 

1929 

Marne 

Rank 

Place  of  Jumn 

lovember  20 
1930 

Robert  Bailie 

Civilian 

Mew  York  City. 

January- 

16 

G.  H.  DeBaun 

Lieut.  U.S 

. Mavy 

San  Diego,  Calif. 

July 

3 

Walter  L.  Miles 

Civilian 

Lincoln,  Mebraska. 

July 

24 

T.  G.  Fisher 

Lieut . U.S 

. Mavy 

■San  Diego,  Calif. 

July 

24 

Charles  H.  Kruze 

Capt . A . C . 

Reserve 

Mather  Field,  Calif. 

July 

24 

J.  W.  McCrillis 

Capt.  A.C. 

Reserve 

Mather  Field,  Calif. 

July 

24 

Albert  A.  Marty 

2nd  Lt.  A. 

C.  Res. 

Mather  Field,  Calif. 

July 

24 

Francis  M.  Gilbert 

2nd  Lt . A. 

C.  Res. 

Mather  Field,  Calif. 

July 

29 

Apollo  Soucek 

Lieut.  U.S 

. Mavy 

San  Diego,  Calif. 

August 

4 

John  R.  Whitson 

Private,  Air  Corps 

Camp  Knox,  Ky . 

August 

4 

John  G.  Fowler 

2nd  Lieut. 

Air  -Comps  Camp  Knox,  Ky. 

August 

11 

Joe  C.  Goldsby 

Cadet,  Air 

Corps 

Brooks  Field,  Texas. 

August 

13 

Harry  B.  Ellis 

Civilian 

Valley  Stream,  M.Y. 

August 

18 

Ira  C.  Eaker 

Cant.  Air 

Corps 

Bolling  Field , D.C. 

With  the 

addition  of  the  foregoing  14  ne\7  members,  ■ 

bhe  standing  of. . the 

Caterpillar  Club  at  present  is  271  names  and  283  emergency  jumps.  ' 

Several  reports  are  at  hand  reciting  the  experiences  of  some  of  the 
Caterpillars  mentioned  above  and  of  some  who  were  mentioned  in  a previous  issue 
of  the  Mews  Letter.  These  reports  will  be  quoted  hereinafter. 

As  has  been  stated  on  previous  occasions,  it  is  difficult  to  keep  an  accu- 
rate check  on  civilian  flyers  who  have  made  emergency  parachute  jumps , for  the 
reason  that  they  are  not  required  to  render  reports  on  same,  so  that  the  only 
source  of  information  on  such  jumps  are  the  newspapers.  Emergency  jump's  have 
become  such  a commonplace  occurrence  that  press  associations  do  not  .always  pick 
them  up.  It  is  for  this  reason  that  the  jump  of  Robert  Bailie  had  up  to  this 
time  escarped  the  notice  of  the  unofficial  historian. 

ROBERT  BAILIE  was  a passenger  in  an, airplane  piloted  by  Charles  I.  Reed  over 
Central  Park,  lew  York  City.  For  some  unknown  reason  the.  plane 
started  falling  into  a tail  spin.  Reed  was  apparently  unable  to  regain  control 
of  his  plane  and,  failing  to  resort  to  his  parachute,  was  killed  when  it  crashed 
on  the  roof  of  the  Y.M.C.A.  building  at  64th  Street.  After  the  plane  had  fallen 
until  it  was  approximately  500  feet  from  the  ground,  Bailie,  who  had  climbed  out 
on  one  of  the  wings,  pulled  the  rip  cord  of  his  parachute  and  was  whisked  off 
into  space , landing  without  injury  on  the  top  of  a building. 

[The  lews  Letter  is  indebted  to  Lieut.  G.H.  DeBaun,  U.S..  lavy,  for  the  re- 
port on  his  jump  as  well  as  the  jump  of  Lieut.  T.G.  Fisher.  The  reason  for  both 
of  these  jumps  is  given  as  "inverted  spin."  Information  as  to  the  personal  ex-' 
periences  of  these  two  officers  during  their  jumps  into  space  would  be 
appreciated. 

WALTER  L.  MILES,  test  pilot  for  the  Fleetcraft  Airplane  Corporation,  was  testing 
an  experimental  ship  for  spins.  The  plane  was  a two-place  side 
by  side  o-pen  type,  equipped  with  a Velie- M-5,  "It  was  during  the  full  load  spin 
that  the  trouble  developed,"  Mr.  Miles  stated.  "Shortly  after  starting  a right 
hand  spin,  I noticed  that  it  was  rapidly  becoming  flat  and  immediately  started 
doing  things  to  bring  it  out.  After  riding  it  three  thousand  feet,  I decided  it 
was  no  use  to  try  any  more,  so  cut  the  switch,  shut  off  the  gas  and  jumped.  I 
came  down  without  a scratch." 


-238- 


V-6072,A.C. 


Touching  on  the  jumps  of  Captains  Charles  H.  Kruze,  J.f.  McGrillis,  2nd 
Lieut s.  Albert  A»  Marty  and  Francis  M,  Gilbert , it  is  desired  to  point  out  that 
here  was  the  unusual  instance  of  two  airnlanes  colliding,  during  flight  and  the 
occupants  of  both  planes  gliding  down  to  safety  in  their  parachutes. 

CHARLES  H.  KRUZE,  Captain ; Air  Corps  Reserve,  was  piloting  a PT-3A  airplane  five 
miles  northeast  of  Mather  Field,  Sacramento,  Calif.,  and  be- 
came a Caterpillar  when  a mid-air  collision  at  3,200  feet  with  another  aimlane 
occurred  while  engaged  in  a formation  change  over  from  left  echelon  to  Vee  forma- 
tion, his  ship  going  completely  out  of  control.  : 

"I  first  called  to  Lieut.  Gilbert,  Air  Reserve,  my  Observer,  to  bail  out," 
Capt.  Kruze  stated.  "I  climbed  out.  on  the  right,  side,  as  ship  was  spinning  to 
the  left.  Immediately  after  jumping  I refrained  from  pulling  the  rip  cord,  so 
that  I might  drop  well  below  my  observer  who  had  not  climbed  out  when  I told 
him  to  bail  out,  as  his  following  me  might  have  caused  us  to  entangle.  After 
falling  1,000  feet  I pulled  the  rip  cord,  saw  the  small  chute  fly  out,  and  the 
main  chute  opened  immediately.  After  landing  I ran  in  the  direction  of  the 
three  other  jumpers  who  were  still  500  feet  up,  as  I feared  they  might  land  in 
the  mud  which  was  directly  under  them,  one  half  a mile  from  me.  When  I found 
that  they  had  landed  safely  I was  much  relieved  but  well  exhausted.  My  right 
shoulder  was  bruised  from  the  sudden  checking  of  speed  as  the  chute  opened, 
but  I suffered  no  ill  effects." 

FRAKUIS  M.  GILBERT,  2nd  Lieut.,  Air  Corps  Reserve,  was  the  Observer  in  the  air- 
plane piloted  by  Captain  Kruze.  He  stated:  "Captain  Charles 
H. -Kruze,  Air  Reserve,  turned  in- his  seat  and  said  1 Bail  out’."  I waited  until 
I saw  the  two  ships  pull  apart  and  start  into  a tail  spin.  After  one  complete 
turn  I loosened  my  safety' belt  and  was  thrown  out.  Almost  immediately  I pulled 
the  rip  cord,  the  parachute  opened  -giving  me  a bad  jerk.  After  landing  I looked 
for  my  goggles  and  a way  to  get  off  the .small  island  I had  landed  on.  Almost 
immediately  two  of  the  parachute  jumpers  who  had  landed  a block  away  and  myself 
communicated  with  each  other."  • 

Lieut.  Gilbert,  while  sr.staining  minor  abrasions  on  both  knees  and  his 
forehead, caused  by  striking  the  ground,  suffered  no. ill. effects. 

J.  W.  McCRILLIS,  Captain,  Air  Reserve,  whose  plane  collided  with  the  one  pilot- 
ed by  Captain  Charlies  H.  Kruze,  left  the  aircraft  by  diving  and 
falling  to  the  left.  "The  craft  seemed  to  drop  away  from  me  in  a rapid  dive," 
Captain  McCrillis  stated.  "My  airplane  was  leading  the  formation,  and  Wo.  2 
plane  zoomed  from  below  and  struck  my  right  wing,  panels , crumpling  the  wing.  As 
I fell  clear  of  the  plane , head  downward,  I saw  the  ship  through  my  legs,  back 
and  below  me,  falling  towards  the  earth.  I pulled  the  rip  cord  and  the  chute 
opened  without  any  appreciable  jerk.  Almost  immediately  my  observer,  Lieut. 

A. A.  Marty,  appeared  directly  above  the  canopy  of  my  chute,  and  we  both  yelled 
to  slip  away  from  each  other.  I then  looked  for  the  other  parachutes  and  saw 
them  far  below  me.  Shortly  after  that,  one  airplane  fell  in  a wheat  field  in  a 
cloud  of  dust,  and  I saw  the  second  airplane  spinning  and  finally  crash. 

Lieut.  Marty  and  I continued  to  taik  and  yelled-  the  good  fortune  that  all 
four  chutes  opened.  We  were  within  easy  speaking  distance  during  the  whole  ■ 
descent.  Air  currents  caused  my  chute  to  oscillate  through  two  -periods..  We 
were  dropping  into  an  area  which  had  been  dredged  for.  gold,  leaving  many  deep 
pools  of  mud  and  water,  and  had  to  slip  in  order  to  hit  a dry  area.  The  land- 
ing was  not  hard  and  the  chute  spilled  easily  without  dragging.  Lieut.  Marty 
landed  within  150  feet  of  where  I landed.  Ho;  ill  effects  or  injury  whatever." 
ALBERT  A.  MARTY,  2nd  Lieut.,  Air  Reserve,  Observer  in-  the  plane  piloted  by 
Captain  McCrillis',  Was  thrown  out  immediately  following  the 
collision  of  the  two  plane s . "I  prulied  the  rip  . cord  immediately  after  clearing 
the  ship,"  he  declared,  "but  experienced  no  shock  when  the  chute  opened.  Capt. 
McCrillis  was  descending  within  150  feet  of  my  chute  and  we  conversed  freely 
with  each  other.  I landed  without  any  trouble  on  a rock  pile,  the  chute  spilled 
easily  without  dragging,  * * * Ho  injury  or  ill  effects  sustained." 

APOLLO  SOUCEK,  Lieut.,  UcS.  Wavy,  holder  of-  the-  world5  s altitude"  record,  gave  the 
Washington  Hews  the  following  account  of  the  emergency  parachute 
jump  made  by  him  on  July  29th:  • ■ / 

"During  aerial  ma.ner.vers  near  Camp  Kearney Calif.  , I accidentally  struck  a 
scouting  plane  with  my  left  wings,  both  upper-,  and  lower.  The  collision  com- 
pletely severed  the  lower  wing  and  damaged ' the  upper -to  a great  extent.  The 
plane  was  moving  at  high  speed  and  at  an  altitude  of  about  1500  ’feet.  After  the 

-239-  . V“-6072,A.C. 


impact  I saw  "broken  parts  carry  away.  The  plane'  went  Into  a violent  diving 
spin,  making  my  exit  most  difficult.  Centrifugal  force  seemed  to  hold  me  fast 
in  the  cockpit. 

In  some  unaccountable  manner  I had  pulled  the  parachute  rip  cord  when  I 
released  the  safety  belt.  I realized  this  action  increased  the  danger  as  the 
chute  was  almost  certain  to  get  caught  in  the  tail,  tut  it  was  too,  late  to 
correct  the  mistake,  end  I could  cnly  hope  for  a good  break.  Bit.,  the  good 
break  was  not  forthcoming,  for  when  I finally  pushed  myself  from  the  cockpit 
the.  parachute  opened  immediately,  caught  on  the  tail  and  hurled  me  around  in 
the  air  like  a pendulum, 

I thought  my  time  had  come,  as  I recalled  the  inevitable  result  to  others 
in  similar  circumstances  and  I knew  that  the  ground  was  very  close.  Although  I 
was  falling  fast,  hopes  went  skyward  when  the  chute  tore  loose  from  the  tail 
and  threw  me  off  like  a stone  from  a slingshot.  I felt  a welcome  sudden  phehk 
in  speed  when  the  chute  opened,  but  was  dismayed  when  I looked  overhead  and  saw 
a great  hole  torn  in  the  silk  and  the  chute  threatening  to  collapse.  Sagebrush 
on  the  ground  was  coming  up  fast.  I heard  the  smash  of  the  plane  hitting  the 
ground  and  the  next  instant  hit  the  ground  myself  in  a clear  soft  spot  among 
the  sagebrush. 

I was  not  unconscious,  but  had  a terrible  pain  in  my  back.  Could  scarcely 
stand  when  I unfastened  the  parachute  harness.  Estimate  the  torn  chute  let  me 
down  about  as  fast  as  a jump  from  a 50-foot  building  without  chute.  I believe 
I didn’ t fall  more  than  150  feet  after  I was  thrown  clear. 

Ensign  Wayne  T.  Stukey,  who  saw  the  accident,  followed  me  down  in  his 
plane.  He. says  I bounced  10  feet  when  I hit  the  ground.  Landed  about  20  feet 
from  the  wrecked  plane.  Stukey  found  me  with  the  aid  of  two  local  men  and  drove 
me  in  a borrowed  car  to  Camp  Kearney,  from  where  we  flew  to  the  San ‘Diego  Naval 
Air  Station  in  a Navy  two-seater.  * 

S oouting. plane  with  which  I collided  had  end  of  wings  cut  off,  but  flew 
back  to  station.  I am  in  the  Naval  hospital  now  with  a sprained  back,  but  no 
broken  bones  nor  serious  injury  and  ex  :ect  to  be  flying  again  soon." 

JOHN  G.  EOWLER,  2nd  Lieut.,  Air  Corps,'  flying  .a  Douglas  Q-2A  plane,  was  engaged 
in  towing  targets  for  the  Coast  Artillery  anti-aircraft  guns  at 
Camp  Knox,  Ky.  -private  John  R.  Whitson  was  his  observer  and  tow-reel  operator 
at  the  time.  The  motor  was  functioning  perfectly  and  the  plane  was  at  an  alti- 
tude of  4,200  feet  over  the  gun  range  when,  without  warning,  the. motor  cut  out. 

"I  presumed  that  the  tank  I had  been  running  on  was  dry,"  Lieut.  Fowler 
stated,  "so  I switched  in  turn  to  the  two  other  tanks,  using  the  wobble  pump 
all  the  time.  The  instruments  had  given  no  indication  of  the  trouble  so,  after 
trying  the  gravity  tank  once  more,  I decided  to  give  up  trying  to  start  the 
engine  again.  I shouted  to  Private  Whitson  to  let  the  cable  loose  and  he  re- 
leased the  brake  on  the  reel. 

I looked  for  a place  to  land,  but  we  were  much  too  far  away  from  the  small 
e.  'erg'ency  field  near  the  camp.  There  was  not  another  place  in  sight  to  land, 
thv  terrain  being  mountainous  and  densely  wooded.  By  the  time  we  were  down  to 
aboik.  3,000  feet  I shouted  to  Private  Whitson  to  ’bail  out,’  and,  after,  mailing 
sure  hat  that  was  what  I meant,  he  cooly  climbed  out  on  the  left  side  of  the 
plane  \n  the  step  and  jumped.  His  parachute  opened  shortly  after  he  was  clear. 
As  he  wa \ getting  out  I held  the  nose  up  and  slipped  the  ship  to  the  right. 

When  Private  Whitson  was  out,  I rolled  the  stabilizer  wheel  back,  loosened 
my  belt  and  climbed  out  on  the  left  wing’  ste|).  The  ship  nosed  down  and  began 
to  pick  up  speed  when  I left  the  controls.  I reached  in  and  pulled  the  nose  up 
a bit  and  shoved  the  stick  away  from  me,  the  plane  slipping  slightly  to  the 
right.  The  speed  at  this  time  was  about  800  HPM  and  the  air  speed  about  140 
miles  per.  hour.  Making  sure  of  the  position  of  the  ring,  I pushed  off  backwards 
and  outwards  so  as  to  clear  the  tail  surfaces.  When  I saw.  the  tail  pass  over 
me,  I pulled  the  ring  and  the  chute  opened  instantly  with  a powerful  jerk  that 
snapped  me  upright. 

I watched  the  ship  go  down  in  a steep  right  spiral,  but  lost  sight  of  it 
before  it  crashed.  Private  Whitson  was  above  me  and  about  a mile  away.  I then 
put  the  rip  cord  back  in  the  tube..  The  wind  was  drifting  me  at  about  ten  miles 
per  hour  and  I saw  that  I would  land  facing  it , sol  endeavored  to  turn  the 
chute  around,  but  was  unable  to  do  so.  I then  unbu deled  the  harness.  As  I hit 
the  ground  in  a clearing  I jumped  out  of  the  harness.  Private  Whitson  landed 
in  the  woods,  so  I rolled  up  the  chute  and  immediately  started  in  that  direc- 
tion. It  . was  2:45  p.m. ' at  the  time.  We  were  picked  up  shortly  by  the  personnel 
of  the  61st  Coast  Artillery,  who  had  swotted  out  location  by  means  of  their 

-240-  V-6072,  A. C. 


range  finders.  The  only  ill  effects  suffered  "by  me  were  slight  bruises  from 
the  harness  on  my  shoulders.  My  neck  was  also  quite  sore  from  being  snapped 
upright  so  quickly  by  the  chute." 

JOM  R.  WHITSON,  Private,  Air  Cores,  tow- reel  operator  in  the  plane  piloted  by  * 
Lieut * Fowler,  stated  that  he  released  the  brake  on  the  tow 
reel  when  so  ordered  and  "bailed  out"  as  soon  as  he  was  sure  he  understood  the 
order.  "I  climbed  ever  the  left  side  and  jumped  from  the  step,"  he  asserted. 

"I  pulled  the  rip  cord  as  soon  as  I was  clear  of  the  ship.  Lieut.  Fowler  was 
slipping  the  ship  to  the  right  when  I left  it.  I landed  in  a group  of  small 
trees  and  fell  through  them  to  the  ground.  The  only  ill  feeling  or  injuries 
received  was  a scratch  on  my  leg. " 

JOS  C.  GOLDSBY,  Flying  Cadet,  Air  Corps,  of  Brooks  Field,  Texas,  augmented  the 
roll  of  the  Caterpillar  Club  by  virtue  of  the  emergency  para- 
chute jump  he  made  while  flying  over  the  Sulphur  Springs  Road,  about  three  miles 
east  of  Brooks  Field.  Cadet  Goldsby  said  that  he  was  flying  at  about  3,000 
feet,  then  put  his  plane  into  a practice  spin.  While  attempting  to  pull  the 
plane  out  of  this  spin,  in  order  to  make  a right  turn,  it  fell  and  executed  a 
left  turn  instead,  and  he  found  himself  unable  to  right  the  airplane.  He  there- 
upon took  to  his  parachute,  making  the  jump  safely,  landing  in  a cotton  field. 

His  plane,  however,  was  completely  wrecked. 

HARRY  ELLIS,  civilian  flying  student,  became  a member  of  the  Caterpillar  Club 
when  he  leaped  to  safety  from  his  -plane  while  flying  over  Curtiss 
Field,  N.Y.  He  was  performing  an  outside  loop  when  the  wings  came  off.  He 
"bailed  out"  and  landed  safely  on  the  flying  field. 

IRA  C.  EAKER,  Captain,  Air  Corps,  for  the  first  time  in  his  long  flying  career 

was  forced  to  take  to  his  parachute  when  the  single-seater  Pursuit 
plane  he  was  testing  at  Bolling  Field,  D.C.,  failed  to  come  out  of  a spin  and 
crashed  in  the  back  yard  of  a residence  on  Nichols  Avenue.  "Bailing  out"  less 
than  1,000  feet  up,  Capt.  Eaker  hit  the  ground  hard,  injuring  his  right  ankle 
but  escaping  serious  injury.  The  parachute  swung  the  flyer  perilously  close  to 
houses  in  the  thickly  settled  section  of  Anacostia  and  brushed  him  against  tree 
tops. 

"I  don’t  know  just  what  happened  to  prevent  breaking  the -spin,"  Capt. Eaker 
said  after  he  had  been  brought  back  to  the  field.  "I  put  the  plane’  Into  a spin 
as  a part  of  the  test  at  an  altitude  of  about  3,500  feet.  It  began  to  spin  very 
fast  and  nothing  I co^^ld  do  seemed  to  break  the  spin.  At  1,000  feet  J decided 
I would  have  to  get  out  and  take  to  my  parachute.  I experienced  great  difficul- 
ty getting  out  of  the  plane  owing  to  the  centrifugal  force  of  the  spin.  Only  by 
the  greatest  effort  did  I manage  to  get  clear  of  the  cockpit  when  the  plane  was 
very  low. 

There  was  no  thrill  experienced  in  the  jump,  the  greatest  sensation  being 
one  of  relief  at  getting  clear.  I remember  everything  very  distinctly.  I per- 
mitted the  plane  to  make  three  turns  in  the  spin,  as  is  usual,  before  attempting 
to  -pull  it  out.  Then  I pushed  the  stick  forward,  but  the  plane  didn’t  respond. 

I looked  back  at  the  rudder  and  elevator  to  see  what  was  wrong,  but  could  see 
nothing  unusual.  I was  then  getting  -pretty  low  and  decided  that  there  was  only 
one  thing  to  do  - to  get  cut  while  I could.  I must  have  been  quite  close  to 
the  ground  when  the  parachute  opened,  as  I seemed  to  hit  the  ground  just  as  I 
pulled  the  rip  cord." 

Because  of  the  low  altitude  at  which  the  parachute  opened,  Capt.  Eaker 
landed  heavily.  He  was  able  to  walk  to  a telephone,  and  upon  being  taken  back 
to  the  field  went  to  his  quarters. 

MORLEY  F.  SLAGHT,  2nd  Lieut.,  Air  Corps  Reserve,  was  a member  of  a formation  of 
planes  from  the  First  Pursuit  Croup,  Self ridge  Field,  Mich.,  making  a flight  to 
Canada.  Lieut.  Morley  states  that  he  held  his  plane  in  a dive  for  approxi- 
mately 500  feet,  when  it  suddenly  lurched  to  the  left  and  downward  with  such 
violence  as  to  hurl  him  from  the  cockpit.  The  safety  belt  evidently  broke,  as 
it  was  securely  fastened  before  taking  off  on  the  flight. 

At  the  time  of  leaving  his  plane,  Lieut.  Morley’ s only  feeling  was  that 
of  amazement  at  finding  himself  in  the  air.  After  falling  several  hundred  feet 
he  suddenly  remembered  he  had  a parachute , and  after  several  grabs  found  and 
pulled  the  ring  releasing  the  chute.  On  the  way  down  the  pilot’s  whole  atten- 
tion was  given  to  slipiping  the  chute  to  avoid  landing  in  the  city  of  Kitchener, 
Ontario,  Canada. 

When  the  chute  opened  Lieut.  Morley  was  falling  head  first  and  in  being 
wrenched  into  an  upright  position  his  back  was  bruised.  In  landing  he  struck 

-241-  V-6072,  A.C. 


the  corner  of  a barn,  resulting  in  a sprained  left  ankle. 

FREDERIC  H.  SMITH,  2nd  Lieut.,  Air  Corps,  was  piloting  a Pursuit  plane  on  the 

morning  of  July  22nd  about  il  miles  northwest  of  Kelly  Field, 

Texas,  and.  was  engaged  in  acrobatic  maneuvers,  when  he  was  thrown  out  into 
space. 

"The  -particular  maneuver  causing  the  accident  was  a whip  stall  with  power 
on,"  Lieut,  Smith  stated.  "The  ship  was  therefore  not  under  control  at  the 

time  of  the  accident.  The  ship  was  completely  stalled  with  motor  racing.  The 

whip,  as  she  came  down,  threw  me  clear  of  the  ship  over  the  upper  wing.  My 
safety  belt  apparently  had  come  unfastened  during  the  maneuver.  I felt  the 
first  part  of  the  whip  stall,  from  the  vertical  to  the  horizontal,  but  was 
thrown  violently  out  after  horizontal  was  reached.  When  I pulled  the  rip  cord 
I was  some  20  feet  clear  of  the  ship  and  some  little  distance  above  it.  I had 
no  sensation  of  falling.  The  parachute,  an  Irving  seat  pack,  opened  perfect- 
ly. I was  in  a state  of  great  surprise,  yet  the  ring  was  visible  to  me  at 
once  and  I pulled  it  only  an  instant  after  I found  myself  in  the  air.  The  only 
ill  effects  I suffered  were  a few  minor  bruises  from  striking  the  cockpit." 

000OOO000 

SECRETARY  DAVISON  VISITS  KELLY  FIELD 

Escorted  by  nine  Army  planes  from  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  the  Hon.  F.  Trubee 
Davison,  Assistant  Secretary  of  War  for  Aeronautics,  landed  at  the  field  at 
ten  o* clock  August  1st  for  a two-day  inspection  of  army  aviation  developments. 

Traveling  in  a fast  Army  plane  of  the  Fleets ter  type,  with  Capt.  Ira  C. 
Eaker  as  pilot,  Mr.  Davison  was  on  a 10,000-mile  inspection  tour  of  all  Army 
Air  Corps  centers.  As  the  plane  was  brought  down  at  the  Operations  Office  at 
Kelly  Field,  a salute  was  fired  in  welcome.  The  nine  planes  which  escorted 
the  Secretary  into  the  field  had  been  circling  to  the  south  of  the  city  for 
nearly  half  an  hour, under  the  command  of  Captain  John  K.  Cannon,  watching  for 
the  arrival  of  the  visiting  plane. 

Pursuant  to  the  War  Department  * s present  policy  to  push  all  Air  Corps  de- 
velopments forward  as  rapidly  as  possible,  Secretary  Davison  stated  this  trip 
was  being  made  to  obtain- an  accurate  picture  of  the  progress  in  that  direction. 

Immediately  upon  his  arrival,  Secretary .Davison  was 'escorted  hy  automobile 
for  an  inspection  of  Duncan  and  Brooks  Field,  in  company  with  Brig.  General 
Halstead  Dorey,  in  command  of  the  Eighth  Corps  Area;  Brig.  General  S.D. 
Rockenbach,  temporary  commander  of  the  2nd  Division;  and  Brig.  General  Charles 
H.  Danforth,  in  command  of  the  Air  Corps  Training  Center.  Emilio  Portes  Gil, 
former  Provisional  President  of  Mexico.,  who  was  in  San  Antonio  for  a few  days, 
arrived  at  Kelly  Field  about  ten  minutes  after  Secretary  Davison  had  departed 
on  his  inspection-  tour.  With  Ex-President  Gil  were  Mayor  C.M.  Chambers  and 
William  Furlong  of  the  San  Antonio  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

Accompanying  Secretary  Davison  and  Captain  Eaker  on  the  trip  were  Mr.  H.J. 
Adamson,  Assistant;  Major  Delos  C.  Emmons,  and  Lieut.  James  Willis,  -pilot,-  in 
a second  plane. 

oOo — - 

EIGHT  FLYING  OVER  ALLEGHENY  MOUNTAINS 
By  A.  M.  Jacobs 

Two  airplanes  took  off  from  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  for. Washington, 
D.C.,  one  afternoon  recently,  returning  that  night  and  landing  at  the  field  at 
2:10  a.m.  The  fliers , Major  A.H.  Gilkeson  and  Liexit.  Donald  L.  Bruner  , in  an 
0-22  airplane,  and  Lieut.  H.P.  Rush  in  an  02-H  airplane  left  Washington  at 
10:00  p.m. , and  flew  over  the  mountains,  their  only  guides  being  the  equipment 
in  their  planes.  There  are  no  lighted  airways  from  Washington  to  Dayton  until 
Columbus,  Ohio,  is  reached,  which  means  that  they  piloted  their  ships  by  instru- 
ments alone  and  what  town  lights  they  could  check  by  approximately  250  out  of 
the  three  hundred  miles. 

Major  Gilkeson’ s plane  was  equipped  with  radio  beacon,  which  was  used  in 
connection  with  the  beacon  operating  from  Wright  Field.  Lieut.  Rush  flew  by 
compass,  'This  is  about  the  fourth  night  flight  made  hy  Major  Gilkeson  in  the 
past  several  months  from  Washington  to  Dayton,  the  object  being  to  study  the 
various  methods  of  night  navigation  over  territory  where  no  lighted  airways 
exist.  Lieut.  Bruner  has  been  making  a study  of  various  night  lighting  instal- 
lations at  the  different  fields  for  purposes  of  comparison. 

* -242- 


V-6072,  A.C. 


Lieut.  Rush  made  a double  night  flight  of  it,  taking  off  from  Uniontown, 
Pa.,  at  7:45  p.m.,  arriving  at  Washington  at  9:20',  and  leaving  at  9:50  p.m. 
for  the  return  trip. 

The  fliers  reported  a beautiful  night  for  the  flight,  the  moon  over  the 
mountains  and  the  poor  visibility,  giving  strange  and  lovely  effects.  The 
altitude  held  to  was  between  2500  and  3000  feet.  On  the  roads,  now  and  then, 
the  lights  of  autos  made  tiny  points  of  light.  Wright  Field  pilots,  it  is 
expected,  will  perform  some  intensive  work  in  night  flying  in  the  near  future. 

— >o0o 

CONSIDERABLE  FLYING  ACTIVITY  AT  LUKE 

Army  Air  Corps  personnel  stationed  at  Luke  Field,  T.H.,  figured  in  consider- 
able flying  activities  lately,  the  program  calling  for  reconnaissance,  forma- 
tion, radio,  simulated  bombing  missions,  pho t o graphic  missions,  flights  in  co- 
operation with  the  Pursuit  Group,  Aloha  flights  for  arrival  and  departure  of 
U.S.  Army  Transports,  day  and  night  cooperative  missions  with  other  branches 
of  the  Army,  and  joint  Army-Navy  exercises. 

The  latest  maneuver  was  primarily  for  solving  problems  of  cooperation 
between  Army  and  Navy  forces  stationed  in  the  Islands.  The  exercise  was  divided 
into  two  phases.  During  two  days  the  problems  were  those  in  which  the  Navy  had 
paramount  interest;  that  is,  the  enemy  was  still  on  the  high  seas  moving  towards 
the  Islands,  and  the  Navy  had  the  outstanding  direction  of  the  operation. 

There  was  much  sea  and  air  scouting  by  the  Navy  from  Pearl  Harbor.  The  base 
there  and  the  Army  were  kept  informed  of  the  movement  of  enemy  ships.  A hostile 
air  attack  was  repulsed  by  air  forces  of  the  Army  and  Navy. 

Two  days  later  the  enemy  made  a serious  attempt  to  capture  the  island.  A 
scouting  fleet  of  airplane  carriers,  destroyers  and  transports  carrying  Marines 
attempted  to  establish  a base  on  Molokai  and  Maui.  Early  in  the  operation  the 
Navy  planes  located  the  enemy  airplane  carriers,  and  with  the  cooperation  of 
the  Army  fliers  drove  them  off.  The  enemy  abandoned  his  attempt  to  establish 
a base  in  the  middle  islands. 

oOo — - 

RECORD  FIRING  PRACTICE  AT  LUKE  FIELD,  T.II. 

Air  Corps  Officers  stationed  at  Luke-  Field,  T.H. , firing  the  Record  Prac- 
tice Aerial  Gunnery  and  Bombing  courses  at  that  station,  which  closed  recently, 
can  look  with  -pride  on  scores  made  by  them.  The  season  was  successful  when 
considering  the  many  postponements  of  missions  due  to  inclement  weather  and 
exceptionally  poor  visibility  at  times  by  menacing  low  clouds.  This  postpone- 
ment prevented  obtaining  the  maximum  amount  of  the  camera  obscura  practice 
prior  to  bombing.  The  following  Air  Corps  officers  at  Luke  Field  are  announced 
in  Orders  as  having  qualified  in  Aerial  Gunnery  and  Bombing  (Course  A),  with 
qualification  attained  and  scores  ipade: 

Expert  Aerial  Gunner  - Pilots  Course,  Events  I,  II  and  III 


1st  Lieut.  Williamson 

875 

Major  Maxwell  Kirby  • 

708.3 

1st  Lieut.  Laird,  Jr. 

799.2 

1st  Lieut.  Gilbert 

697 

1st  Lieut.  Jones 

696.2 

Aerial  Sharpshooter  - Pilots 

Course,  Events  I,  II  and  III 

1st  Lieut.  Dean 

612.6 

1st  Lieut.  McPike 

554 

1st  Lieut.  Lowe 

582.2 

Captain  Gifgin 

517.2 

Exoert  Aerial  Gunner  - Observers  Course,  Events  IV  and 

V . 

1st  Lieut.  Early 

1312 

2nd  Lieut.  Edwards 

944 

1st  Lieut.  Holcomb 

1108 

2nd  Lieut.  Gillespie 

919 

2nd  Lieut.  Dulligan 

1096 

1st  Lieut.  Montgomery 

918 

Captain  Lober 

1086.5 

1st  Lieut.  Johnson 

912 

2nd  Lieut.  Stocks 

1085 

1st  Lieut.  Shively 

858 

Captain  O’Neill 

1082 

1st  Lieut.  George 

828 

Captain  Johnson 

1029 

2nd  Lieut.  Davies,  Reserve, 

815 

2nd  Lieut.  Todd 

1025 

Captain  Temple 

796 

Captain  Reese 

996 

Captain  Heisen 

787 

1st  Lieut.  Pyle 

976 

2nd  Lieut.  Steenson 

740 

Captain  Drayton 

958 

2nd  Lieut.  Noyes 

726 

1st  Lieut.  Foster 

950 

1st  Lieut.  Meyer 

722 

1st 

Lieut.  McCoy 

716 

-243- 


V~6072,A. C. 


EXPERT  AERIAL  BOMBER  - Bombardment  Course,  Events  VI  and  VII 


1st  Lieut . George 

1S15.2 

Captain  Heisen 

1703.5 

Captain  Reese 

1897 

1st  Lieut.  Foster 

1675.4 

Captain  Johnson 

1829.7 

1st  Lieut.  Montgomery 

1673.9 

1st  Lieut.  Johnson 

1812.5 

2nd  Lieut.  Dulligan 

1593.8 

1st  Lieut.  Pyle 

1807.2 

2nd  Lieut.  Edwards 

1565.5 

1st  Lieut.  McCoy 

1754.5 

2nd  Lieut.  Stocks 

1556.4 

0O0' 


BIG  TIMES  AHEAD  FOR  CHANUTE  FIELD,  ILL. 


This  coining  ^all  Chanute  Field,  Rantoul,  111.,  is  due  to  receive  80  Air 
Corps  officers  who  have  been  detailed  under  Special  Orders  of  the  War  Depart- 
ment to  duty  as  students  at  the  Air  Corps  Technical  School.  There  will  he 
more  officers  attending  the  various  courses  at  this  school  this  coming  school 
term  than  at  any  previous  time  in  the  history  of  this  institution.  These 
80  officers  are  directed  to  report  to  the  Commandant  not  later  than  October 
2nd  next.  Thirty  officers  each  will  pursue  the  Armament  Course  and  the 
Maintenance  Engineering  Course,  respectively,  while  the  Photographic  and 
Communications  Courses  will  each  be  attended  by  ten  officers. 

The  names  of  the  officers  scheduled  to  wend  their  way  to  Chanute  Field 
within  the  course  of  a month  and  the  course  of  study  assigned  to  each  follow: 

ARMAMENT  COURSE 


2nd  Lt.  "illiam  Ball  Crissy  Field 
Nathan  B.  Forrest , Jr. Rockwell  Field 
Robert  W.  Goetz  n " 

Robert  S.  Israel, Jr.  " " 

John  S.  Mills  » » 


James  W.  Andrew 
Jesse  Auton 
Edwin  R.  French 
Francis  H.  Griswold 
Donald  L.  Putt 
Norman  D.  Sillin 
Austin  A.  Straubel 
Eugene  H.  Beebe 
L . S . Callaway 
Stoyte  0.  Ross 
Robt.B.  Davenport 


Kelly  Field 
Selfridge  Field 

it  it 

it  it 

tt  tt 

tt  it 

tt  it 

Fort  Riley 
Maxwell  Field 

tt  it 

Mitchel  Field 


2nd  Lt.  John  W.  Egan 
Chas.L.  Munroe,Jr. 
•Lilburn  D.  Fator 
John  K.  Gerhart 
1m.  L.  Kennedy 
William  C.  Mills 
George  W.  Mundy 
Leslie  0.  Peterson 
Mills  S.  Savage 
Frank  L.  Skeldon 
John  Paul. Ryan 
Irving  R.  Selby 
Wycliffe  E.  Steele 
Jack  W.  Wood 


Mitchel  Field 

it  it 

Post  Field 
Mitchel  Field 
Dodd  Field 
Fort  Crockett 

ti  it 

tt  it 

it  it 

it  it 

Langley  Field 
Scott  » 

Langley  " 

it  it 


2hd  Lt.  MAINTENANCE  ENGINEERING  COURSE 


James  W.  Brown 
Richard  C . Lindsay 
Alfred  R.  Maxwell 
Lewis  R.  Parker 
Robert  W.  Stewart 
Clarence  S . Irvine 
Joseph  W.  Baylor 
William  A.  Harbold 
Thomas  R.  Starratt 
Robert  W.  Warren 
George  J . Eppright 
LeRoy  Hudson 
Floyd  B.  Wood 
James  L.  Jackson 
Allen  W.  Reed 


Rockwell  Field 

tt  it 

ti  it 

it  tt 

it  it 

Chanute  Field 
Mitchel  Field 

it  it 

tt  it 

tt  tt 

Kelly  Field 
Dodd  Field 

it  tt 

Post  Field 
Scott  Field 


1st  Lieut. Howard  E. Engle r Brooks  Field 
2nd  Lt.  C.E.  Deerwester  Brooks  Field 
" Thomas  D.  Ferguson  Langley  Field 
" Flint  Garrison, Jr.  Self ridge  Field 

" Paul  M.  Jacp7^s  11  11 

" Lawrence  W.  Koons  " 

11  Bs.ul  E.  Shanahan  " 

" Harry  W.  Howze  Fort  Crockett 

" Philo  G.  Meisenholder  " " 

11  Thomas  L.  Mosley  11,1 

" Robert  F.  Tate  " " 

" Thomas  L.  Thurlow  " 

11  Francis  M.  Zeigler  " " 

" William  B.  Offutt  Marshall  Field 

11  Isaac  W.  Ott  Maxwell  Field 


PHOTOGRAPHIC  COURSE 


1st  Lt.  Court land  M. Brown  Scott  Field 
2nd  Lt.  Paul  T.  Cullen  Crissy  Field 
Walter  A.  Fenander  *»  •» 

George  W.  Hansen  11  11 

Kenneth  P.McNaughton  Post  Field 


2nd  Lt.  George  G.  Northrup  Post  Field 
" Philip  D.  Coates  Maxwell..  Field 

" Robert  S.  -Macium  Mitchel  Field 

" James  F.,  Olive, Jr.  " : u 

” Willard  R.  Shephard  " . H 


COMMUNICATIONS  COURSE 
2nd  Lt . John  L.  Hitchings  Chanute  Field  2nd  Lt.  John  C. Covington  Mitchel  Field 

" " Chester  P.  Gilger  Marshall  Field 

Scott  Field  Guy  B.  Henderson  Maxwell  Field 

Post  Field  Durward  0.  Lowry  Selfridge  Field 

Dodd  Field  Roger  V.  Williams  March  Field 

-244-  V-6072,  A.  C. 


Fay  0.  Dice 
Harold  W.  Grant 
George  V.  Holloman 
Charles  B. Overacker 


A NOVEL  METHOD  OE  FIGHTING  FLAMES 

Considerable  damage  would  have  resulted  to  planes  and  equipment  at  one  of 
the  auxiliary  fields  near  the  Air  Corps  Drimary  Flying  School  at  March  Field, 
Riverside,  Calif.,  recently,  when  a menacing  prairie  fire  was  approaching  that 
field,  had  not  the  quick-witted  Army  fliers  used  their  heads  and  then  their 
airplanes  to  stay  the  progress  of  the  flames.  It  was  a brand  new  use  for  air- 
' planes  and  nobody  knew  whether  they  would  win  in  the  fight  against  the  driving 
ground  fire. 

The  fire  had  started  in  the  dry  grass  and  was  sweeping  down  the  field  to 
where  the  airplanes  and  other  equipment  were  parked,  with  large  wheat  fields 
also  in  the  path  of  the  flames,  when  one  nameless  hero  thought  of  throwing  the 
fire  back  on  itself  through  blasts  created  by  whirling  airplane  propellers. 
There  were  several  observation  type  airmlanes  on  the  line  at  the  time,  and 
backing  them  towards  the  fire  and  holding  them  stationary  by  means  of  the  wheel 
brakes,  the  flying  instructors  turned  up  the  powerful  420  horsepower  engines 
to  their  maximum  revolutions.  This  created  such  a gale  as  to  keep  the  fire 
from  spreading  within  twenty  feet  of  the  airplanes. 

"While  the  instructors  were  on  the  alert,  ready  to  release  their  brakes 
and  fly  to  safety  in  the  event  the  flames  should  break  through,  the  student 
fliers  and  mechanics  proceeded  to  beat  out  the  flames  around  the  edges  of  the 
burning  area. 

There  was  a strong  wind  blowing  at  the  time,  but  within  a short  time  the 
fire  had  been  entirely  subdued  and  the  instructors  were  back  at  their  regular 
task  of  teaching  young  America  to  earn  its  wings. 

0O0 

ROCKWELL  FIELD  PARTICIPATES  IN  SAN  DIEQO  BOOSTER  DAY 

The  first  day  of  San  Diego’s  big  three-day  educational  program,  called 
"Know  San  Diego,"  opened  by  a mass  flight  of  Army  planes,  comprising  22  Bombers 
and  Pursuit  ships  from  Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif.  A review  was  staged  in 
honor  of  the  Mayor  of  San  Diego  and  other  guests,  followed  by  twenty  minutes  of 
formation  drill  over  Rockwell  Field  and  vicinity.  The  public  inspected  the 
planes  lined  up  on  the  line  and  visited  the  shops  at  the  Rockwell  Air  Depot  and 
watched  the  military  formations. 

0O0 

LANDS  BURNING  PLANE  AND  ESCAPES  INJURY 

Successfully  reaching  the  ground  in  a blazing  02-A  airplane,  Lieut.  Dan 
McGrew  Medler,  Air  Corps  Reserve,  and  Technical  Sergeant  Thomas  Richards,  of 
Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif.,  escaped  without  injury  when  the  plane  was 
landed  recently  about  three  miles-  from  Maricopa,  Arizona.  Lieut.  Medler  was 
piloting  the  plane  at  an  altitude  of  about  1,000  feet  when  it  caught  fire. 

"We  wer«  cruising  along  at  a pretty  fair  speed, " he  stated,  "when  the  plane  ap- 
parently ignited  from  a broken  gasoline  .connection.  The  blaze  had  hot  gotten 
a good  start  and  I decided  to  land  instead  of  using  the  x^arachutes.  As  wc 
leveled  cut  on  the  ground  one  of  the  wings  struck  a mesquite  bush,  turning  the 
plane  over  and  wrecking  it." 

Lx  cut.  Medler  and  Sergeant  Richards  were  only  slightly  shaken  up. 

-—  oO.o 

94th  PURSUIT  SQUADRON  GOES  ON  A SHOOTING  FRAY 

No  sooner  did  the  94th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Self ridge  Field,  Mt.  Clemens, 

Mich. , return  from  the  Military  Tournament  recently  held  in  Chicago  than  it 
immediately  started  preparations  to  leave  again,  for  the  Aerial  Gunnery  Camp  at 
Oscoda,  Mich,  Practically  the  entire  94th  Squadron,  plus  five  officers  from 
the  57th  Squadron,  left  Selfridge  Field  on  : July.  6th  and  arrived  at  Camp  Skeel 
at  about  3:00  p.m. , with  plans  and  expectations  ..of  many  bulls  eyes  and  lots  of 
big  scores.  Monday,  July  7th,  was  a day  of  lore-paration,  but  thereafter  the 
shooting  began  in  earnest.  With  reveille  every  morning  at  four  o’clock,  it  is 
needless  to  say  that  each  and  every  member  of  the  squadron  was  ready  for  bed 
at  night. 

Everything  ran  smoothly  throughout  the  montli.  and  several  good  scores'  were 
bting  up  for  approval  of  disapproval  of.  some  of  the  other  squadrons  to  come. 

-245-  7-6072,  A.C. 


0-2 5A  FUMES’  MA.KE  THEIR  APPEARAITCE  - AT  MARSHALL  FIELD 

Up  until  August  1st , ten  new  Q-25A  airplanes  were  ferried  from  the  Douglas 
factory,  Santa  Monica,  Calif.,  to  Marshall  Field,  Fort  Riley,  Kansas,  without 
incident.  ' Three' more  plahe-s' of  this  type  are  still  due.  The  last  report  re- 
ceived from  the  Hews  Letter  Correspondent  is  to  the  effect  that  the  Marshall 
Field  pilots  are  merely-. determining  the  (,doss"  and  "don'ts"  concerning  the  fly- 
ing Of  this  airplane,  and  that  nothing  can  be  definitely  said  about  its  suit- 
ability for  the  various  observation missions i . - 

According  to  the  Hews  Letter  Correspondent,  the  plane  has  a quick  take-off, 
fast  rate  of  climb  and  can  be  landed  short  - and  that’s  something..  However',  . \ 
its  cruising  speed  with  the  wooden  propeller  with  which . it  is  temporarily  . 
equipped  seems  to  ho  only  about  95  miles  per  hour. 

— - 0G0 

’ TRAINING  OF  RESERVE  OFFICERS  AT". ARMY  AIR  C.0RPS  FIELDS  . 

With  the  advent  of  the  summer  months  and  the  alluring  prospect  of  a taste 
of  Army  life  at  training  camps  conducted  at  various  Air  Corps  fields,  there  is 
n'o  doubt  that  those  Air  Corps  Reserve  officers  able  to  dismiss  the  cares  and 
worries  of  business  for  the  brief  period  of  two  weeks  took  full  advantage  cf  the 
opportunity  to  grasp  the  "joy  stick"  once  more. 

At  Marshall  Field,  Fort  Riley, : Kansas,  21  Reserve  officers  of  the.  430th 
Pursuit  Squadron,  Organized  Reserves,  performed  active  duty  training  from  July 
6th  to  the  18th.  Excellent  weather  prevailed  during  the  entire  period,  permitting 
of  much  and  varied  training.  • A total  cf  451  hours  were  flown  in  connection  with 
this  camp,  the  missions  consisting  of  check  flights,  practice,  fixed  gunnery, - 
navigation  problems,  formation,  bombing,  reconnaissance,  photography  and  cross- 
country flights.  Of  the  21  officers  attending,  18  were  rated  pilots  and  e were 
observers.  Of  the  18  pilots,  13  were  qualified  service  type  pilots  and  were 
checked  out  on  02-H«s,  O-.l'i  • s and.  0~25A3s.  One  of  the  high  lights  of  the  camp 
was  a week-end  cross- country  flight  to  Denver,  Colorado , in  which  eight  PT-i! s, 
two  02~Hls,  one  0-11 -and  one  C-1C  participated.  It  was  rumored  that  all  enjoyed 
the  trip  - thoroughly. 

Self ridge  Field,  during  July,  conducted  two  camps  for  Reserve  officers. 

The  one  for  the  two  weeks*  period,  July  5th  to  13th,  was  touched  upon  elsewhere 
in  this  issue  of  the  Hews  Letter.  From  July  19th  to  .the  .31st  the  27th  Pursuit 
Squadron  played  instructors  to  22  Reserve  officers,  commanded  by  Major  Jiatera, 
who  were  present  for  two  weeks  of  active  duty.  The  majority  of  these  Reserve 
officers  proved  to  he  capable  pilots  and- were  given  solo  time  in  service  type 
planes.  During  the  short  time  these  officers  were  at  Sslfridge  Field  they  ac- 
cumulated 518  flying  hours,  and  the  Hews  Letter  Correspondent- states  that  con- 
siderable credit  should  be  given -to  Liout.  J.W.  Kirby  and  the  temporary  crews 
under  the  personal  supervision  of  Technical  Sergeant  R.Q.  McGaha  and  Master  Sgt. 
E.J.  Deckman. 

The  flying  activities  at  Maxwell  Field,  Montgomery,  Ala. , during  July  con- 
sisted of  two  Reserve  Officers  Training  Camps,  the  participating  units  being  the 
307th  Observation  Squadron  with  14  officers , Major  George  Keller,  commanding, 
and  the  457th  Pursuit  Squadron  with  7 officers, -Major  ‘Paul  H.  -Montague,  commanding 
Each  squadron  enjoyed  foiirteen  days  of  intensive  tiaining,  which  included  ground 
school,  routine  flight  instruction  and  reconnaissance,  rendezvous  problems  and 
formation  flying.  Each  squadron  also  made  a cross-country  flight  of  about  250 
miles  for  navigation  training.  The  four teen- day  schedule  gave  as  complete  a 
review  as  ipossible  of  the  entire  field  of  activity  required' of  the  Air  Corps 
officer. 

The  358th  Observation  Squadron,'  Major  Elbert  Wilson,  commanding.,  was  in 
camp  at  Maxwell  Field  during  the  first-  twd  weeks  of  August.  The  usual  schedule 
of  instruction  for  Reserve  officers  was  carried  out  satisfactorily  in  spite  of 
several  bad  flying  days. 

— — oOo — 

All  -previous  records  for  flying  at  the  Boston  Airport',  East  Boston,  Mass., 
were  broken  during  the  month  of  June,  when  a"  total  of  473  hours  and  50  minutes 
was  flown.  The  equipment  at  this  -station  comprises 'four  Observation  and  four 
Training  type  airplanes.  'Captain  C.  W.  Ford  is  in  command  of  the  Airport. 

-246-  V-6072  ,A.C. 


WAR  DEPARTMENT  ORDERS  AFFECTING  AIR  CORPS  OPPICERS 

Changes  of  Station:  Lieut .-Colonel  Henry  2.  Clagett  designated  as  Command- 
ant Air  Corps  Primary  Plying  School,  Breaks  Pield,  ‘Texas. 

Major  Robert  A.  Hale,  Plight  Surgeon,  from  Bolling  Pield  to  Landley  Pield, 
effective  September  15th. 

Major  Leslie  MacDill  from  Wright  Pield  to  Office  Chief  of  Air  Corps. 

Major  Joseph  T.  McHarney  designated  as  Commandant , Air  Corps  Primary  Ply- 
ing School,  March  Pield,  Calif.,  vice  Major  Millard  P.  Harmon,  relieved. 

Assignment  of  Captain  Victor  H.  Strahm  to  duty  as  student  at  Air  Corps 
Tactical  School,  Langley  Pield,  Va. , revoked. 

Afetjor  Roy  S.  Brown  from  Prance  Pield,  Panama  Canal  Zone,  to  Headquarters 
2nd  Corps  Area,  Governors  Island,  Hew  York. 

Captain  Rowland  C.W.  Blessley  from  March  Pield  to  Selfridge  Pield, Oct*  1st. 

Captain  Charles  M.  Savage,  Rockwell  Pield,  to  Rockwell  Air  Depot. 

Captain  Wm.  D.  Wheeler,  Scott  Pield,  to  Langley  Pield,  Va. , for  duty  at 
Air  Corps  Tactical  School  as  student. 

Assignment  of  1st  Lieut.  Clayton  Bissell  to  Air  Corps  Training  Center  at 
Duncan  Pield  revoked. 

1st  Lieut.  Raphael  Baez,  Jr.  Rockwell  Pield,  to  Air  Corps  Training  Center. 

1st  Lieut.  Richard  E.  Nugent,  Langley  Pield,  to  Panama  Canal  Zone,  sailing 
from  Hew  York  Sept.  11th. 

1st  Lieut.  James  T.  Cumberpatch,  March  Pield,  to  University  of  California. 

Upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in  Hawaii , Captain  Calvin  E.  Gif fin  to 
Chanute  Pield  and  Theodore  J.  Koenig  to  Langley  Pield. 

Upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in  Hawaii,  1st  Lt . Reginald  R.  Gillespie  to 
March  Pield  for  duty  as  student  at  Primary  Plying  School;  1st  Lieut.  Leslie  P. 
Holcomb  to  Scott  Pield,  111. 

Captain  Heal  Creighton  from  Pitzsimons  General  Hospital,  Denver,  to  Port 
Sill,  Oklahoma. 

1st  Lieut.  Clarence  P.  Talbot,  Kelly  Pield,  to  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  for 
duty  with  Organized  Reserves,  9th  Corps  Area. 

1st  Lieut.  Robert  W.  Harper,  Brooks  Pield,  and  2nd  Lt.  Yantis  H.  Taylor, 

Kelly  Pield,  to  duty  in  Philippines,  sailing  from  San  Francisco  Hovember  19th. 

1st  Lieut.  James  E.  Duke,  Selfridge  Pield,  to  Air  Corps  Training  Center. 

Upon  completion  tour  of  duty  in  Panama,  1st  Lt . Malcolm  H.  Stewart  to 
Chanute  Pield,  Rantoul,  111. 

Upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in  Philippines,  1st  Lieut.  Dache  M.  Reeves 
to  Langley  Pield  and  1st  Lieut.  John  C.  Kennedy  to  Mitchel  Pield,  H.Y. 

2nd  Lieut.  John  A.  Tarro,  March  Pield,  to  Port  Sill  for  duty  with  First 
Balloon  Company. 

2nd  Lieut.  John  J.  Keough  from  Primary  Plying  School,  Brooks  Pield,  to  Port 
Sill,  Oklahoma,  for  duty  with  Air  Corps  troops. 

2nd  Lieut.  Marion  Huggins,  Langley  Pield,  to  Philippines,  sailing  from  Hew 
York  about  October  28th. 

2nd  Lieut.  Charles  F.  Pugh,  Mitchel  Pield,  to  Bolling  Pield,  D.C. 

Following  named  officers  stationed  at  Kelly  Pield  to  report  to  stations 
assigned  for  duty:  2nd  Lieut s.  Horris  B.  Ilarbold  and  Arthur  W.  Meehan  to 
Selfridge  Pield,  2nd  Lieut.  LaVerne  G.  Saunders  to  Langley  Pield,  Va. 

2nd  Lieut.  Lloyd  H.  Tull,  Langley  Pield, to  Aberdeen  Proving  Ground,  Md. 

2nd  Lieut.  George  R.  Geer,  with  Organized  Reserves,  1st  Corps  Area,  Boston, 
to  Air  Corps  Training  Center. 

2nd  Lieut.  Samuel  M.  Connell,  Brooks  Pield,  to  Chanute  Pield,  111. 

2nd  Lieut.  George  R.  Bienfang,  Scott  Pield,  to  Walter  Reed  General  Hospital,  I 
Washington,  D.C.,  for  observation  and  treatment. 

Atop intment : Lieut. -Colonel  Henry  C.  Pratt  as  Assistant  to  the  Chief  of  the 
Air  Corps  with  rank  of  Brigadier- General  for  four  years  beginning  July  17th» 

Promotion:  1st  Lieut.  Virgil  Hine  to  Captain,  rank  from  July  14,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  Howard  H.  Couch  to  1st  Lieutenant,  rank  from  July  3,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  Wilfred  J.  Paul  to  1st  Lieutenant,  rank  from  July  14,  1930. 

2nd  Lieut.  Glenn  L.  Davasher  to  1st  Lieutenant,  rank  from  July  14,  1930. 

1st  Lieutenant  John  P.  Richter  to  Captain,  rank  from  July  19,  1930. 

Transferred  to  the  Air  Coros;  With  rank  from  June  9,  1938:  2nd  Lieutenants 
Fred  0.  Tally,  Infantry;  William  C.  Sams,  Jr.,  Infantry;  Robert  L.  Easton  and 
Richard  P.  O’Keefe,  Pield  Artillery;  David  P.  Laubach,  Corps  of  Engineers;  Rank 
from  June  12,  1925:  James  K.  DeArmond,  Signal  Corps;  William  L.  Ritchie,  Pield 
Artillery. 

V-6072,A.C. 


-247- 


Reserve  Officers  detailed  to  extended  active  duty;  2nd  Lieut.  Harlow  B. 
Grow,  Sandy,  Utah,  to  Crissy  Field,  August  1-J'une  30,  1931;  2nd  Lt,  Wm.  Gaston 
Davis,  Sarasota,  Fla.,  to  Langley  Field,  Se?t.  2- Feb.  28,  1931;  2nd  Lt.  Melvin 
S.  Hollidge,  Fast  Milton,  Mass.,  to  Langley, Field,  Aug,  6- Feb.  4,  1931;  2nd  Lt . 
Percy  Osborne  Brewer,  San  Jose,  Calif,  to  Crissy  Field,  Aug.  15- Feb.  13,1931; 

2nd  Lt.  William  R.  White,  Indianapolis,  ind. , to  Selfridge  Field,  Aug. 15- June 
30,  1931;  2nd  Lt.  Harrison  C.  Finley,  Collinsville,  111.,  to  Pope  Field,  N.C. , 
Sept.  1- June  30,  1931;  2nd  Lieut.  Jos.  H,  Brodrick,  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  to 
Scott  Field,  111.,  Sept.-  1- June  30,  1931;  2nd  Lieut.  Ray  H.  Baudreaux , San 
Francisco,  Calif.,  to  Crissy  Field,  Sept.  4- Feb.  28,  3.931;  2nd  Lieut.  Harold 
Lewis  Kirby,  Los  Angeles,  Calif,,  to  Crissy  Field.  . 

Detailed  to  Air  Corns  and  to  Primary  Flying  School , Brooks  Field,  for 
TRAINING;  2nd  Lieut.  Harry  C.  Kirby,  Infantry,  to  report  October  15th. 

Relieved  from  detail  to  the  Air  Corns;  Captain  Albert  L.  Lane  to  2nd 
Engineers,  Fort  Logan,  Colorado. 

2nd  Lieut.  Jacob  G.  Reynolds  to  Hawaiian  Department  for  duty  with  the 
Coast  Artillery  Corps. 

Resignation:  2nd  Lieut.  Linwood  P.  Hudson. 

oOo— 

SUCCESSFUL  PARACHUTE  JUMPS  FROM  PLANES  FLYING  FORMATION 

Army  Air  Corps  officers  at  Mitchel  Field,  L.I.,  announced  recently  that  the 
moot  point  of  whether  an  aviator  might  make  a parachute  jump  from  a plane  form- 
ing part  of  a military  formation  without  tangling  with  the  other  ships  had  been 
proved  by  the  successful  descent  of  three  soldiers  under  such  conditions. 

Staff  Sergeant  James  Pearson,  Corporal  John  Marchewka  and  Private  J.Frazio, 
all  stationed  at  Mitchel  Field,  volunteered  to  go  aloft  for  the  test.  On  that 
occasion  the  formation  of  three  service  type. Curtiss  Falcons  circled  the  fieid 
at  an  altitude  of  about  2,000  feet.  At  a signal  from  the  leading  ship,  the 
three  men  leaped  simultaneously  into  space.  They  dropped  a distance  of  more 
than  a hundred  feet  before  pulling  their  rip  cords,  thus  clearing  the  formation 
by  a safe  margin.  Their  parachutes  opened  readily  and  the  soldiers  floated 
safely  to  the  ground. 

In  their  announcement,  officials  of  Mitchel  Field  characterized  the  experi- 
ment as  a complete  success.  They  consider  the  feat  of  the  three  Mitchel  Field 
soldiers  has  settled  a question  over  which  Army  Air  Corps  officers  have  argued 
for  several  yea  s.  - — oQo— — 

AIR  CORPS  ENLISTED  MEN  TO  ATTEND  SIGNAL  CORPS  RADIO  SCHOOL 

The  following- named  enlisted  men  of  the  Air  Corps  will  be  sent  to  Fort 
Monmouth,  New  Jersey,  reporting  not  later  than  September  l£th  to  the  Commandant 
of  the  Signal  School  for  the  radio  electricians’  course: 

Private  1st  Cl.  Melvin  A.  Rose,  88th  Observation  Souadron,  Fort  Sill,  Okla. 

Private  Joseph  B.  Hagen,  1st  Balloon  Company,  Fort  Sill,  Okla. 

Private  1st  Cl.  Arthur  R.  Musgrove,  88th  Observation  Sqdn.  Fort  Sill,  Okla. 

Private  1st  Cl..  Charles  Donovan, Jr. , 2nd  Balloon  Co.,  Fort  Bragg,  N.C. 

Private  1st  Cl.  Haskell  E.  Neal,  2nd  Balloon  Company,  Fort  Bragg,  N.C. 

Private  1st  Cl.  Vance  Murr,  2nd  Bomb.  Wing  Hqrs.  Langley  Field,  Va. 

Private  John  B.  Anderson,  ■ 49th  Bomb.  Squadron,  Langley  Field,  Va. 

Private  Clarence  E.  Ergood,  1st  Squadron,  Mitchel  Field,  N.Y. 

Private  Duane  W,  Sisson,  61st  Service  Squadron,  Mitchel  Field,  N.Y, 

Private  1st  Cl.  Joseph  H.  RomatoWski,  1st  Obs.  Squadron,  Mitchel- ..'Field,  N.Y. 

Private  Shelby  G.  Putnam,  61st  Service  Squadron,  Mitchel  Field,  N.Y'. 

Private  Clarence  P,  Franks,  17th  Squadron,  Self ridge  Field,  Mich. 

Private  Jesse  C.  Kays,. 17th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Selfridge  Field,  Mich.  • 

Private  1st  Cl.  Edward  E.  Bjorklund,  17th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Selfridge  Field. 

«0o 

Lieuts.  George  W.  Goddard,  William  B.  Souza,  Edward  H.  Wood  and  Newman  R. 
Laughinghouse  recently  returned  to  Chanute  Field  bringing  from  Santa  Monica, 
Calif.,  four  of  the  new  Douglas  airplanes  assigned  to  this  station.  'These 
planes  are  the  last  of  the  original  consignment  of  ten  of  this  type  to  be  used 
at  Chanute  Field. 


-248- 


V-6072,A.  C 


■ ' • ' NOTES  FROM  AIR  ' CORPS,-  FIELDS 

0O0--- 

Rockwell  Air  .Depot . ■ Coronado , Calif  . . July.  JKLst  ■: 

Maj « A.S.  Sneed  wh®  has  been  in  command  of  Rockwell  Field,  and  the  Rockwell 
Air  Depot,  departed  July  14th-,  for  his  new  station,  Fairfield  Air  Depot,  Ohio, 

A farewell  dinner  party  and  dance  was  given  by  the.  officers  of  the  command  in 
honor  of  Major  Sneed  at  the  Casa  De  Manana  in  La  Jolla  on  July  9th,  Maj,  B.K. 
Yount,  AoC,,  will  succeed  Maj',  Sneed  as  Post  Commander, 

Capt.  - HeU.Elmendorf , former  Commanding  Officer  of  the  95th  Pursuit  Squadron, 
departed  for  Washington,  D.C,,  recently  for  duty  in  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of 
the  Air  Corps,  Capt,  F.O'D.  Hunter,  assigned  to  Rockwell  Field,  will  assume 
command  of  the  95th  Pursuit  Squadron  upon  his  arrival, 

1st  Lieut,  Barney  M.  Giles  was  relieved  "from  duty  at  March  Field  and  assigned 
to  the  Rockwell  Air  Depot  for  duty, 

1st  Lieut,  R,  Baez,  Jr,,  Chief  Engineer  Officer  of  the  Rockwell  Air  Depot, 
received  orders  assigning  him  to  duty  at  the  Air  Corps  Training  Center,  Duncan 
Field,  Texas, 

More  than  200  Y.M.C.A.  boys  visited  Rockwell  Field  on  July  19th,  Work  in 
the  various  airplane  shops,  loading  bombs  in  the  planes  and  other  activities 
were  explained  to  the  boys.  The  average  age  of  the  boys  was  about  ten  years  and 
they  represented  the  various  clubs  sponsored  by  the  Y.M.CoA, 

The  Rockwell  Air  Depot  has  been  busy  checking  in  t&n  new  Douglas  0-25  planes 
completed  by  the  Douglas  Factory.  The  planes,  as  finished,  were  flown  here  by 
officers  from  Fort  Riley,  Kansas,  who  came  by  train  for  the  purpose  of  ferrying 
the  new  ships  back.  After  complete  mechanical  check-up  at  the  Rockwell  Depot, 
they  were  flown  east  one  at  a time. 

Cg.pt.  Evan  IC.  Merqdith,  Inf.  (DOL)  Corps  Area  Athletic  Officer,  visited 
Rockwell  Field,  July  11th,  for  purpose  of  interviewing  and  selecting  candidates. 

Col.  John  R.R.  Hannay,  Q.M.C . , 9th  Corps  Area  Quartermaster,  visited  Rock- 
well Field,  July  14th,  for  purpose  of  inspecting  Quartermaster  activities. 

Lieut,  J.YJ.  O'Brien,  2nd  Survey  Company,  Australian  Garrison  Artillery,  was 
a visitor  at  Rockwell  Field,  July  11th,  and  while  here  was  extended  post  cour- 
tesies bjr  the  Commanding  Officer. 

As  a contribution  to  San  Diego's  big  three-day  educational  program  called 
"Know  San  Diego",  sixteen  Pursuit  airplanes  and  six  Bombers  under  the  command  of 
Major  Spatz,  took  off  August  1st,  and  after  passing  in  review,  staged  an  aerial 
exhibition  ever  San  Diego.  The  Rockwell  Air  Depot  shops  were  open  for  public 
inspection  on  this  day  also. 

Cr issy.  Field?  Pr_es _idio_  of_ JSan_ JlranujJLjs^cjD^  Calif.,  July  19th! 

Our  officer  personnel  was  augmented  by  the  recent  arrival  of  four  graduates 
of  the  Advanced  Flying  School.  The  new  arrivals  are  - 2nd  Lieuts.  George  C. 

Kruse,  Laddie  J.  Miller,  Byron  Q.  Van  Cott  and  Ralston  J.  Crew,  all  Air  Corps 
Reserves . 

The  aerial  gunnery  season  was  concluded  after  numerous  delays  and  consider- 
able difficulty  due  to  the  shortage  of  airplanes  and  the  prevalence  of  fogs. 

We  were  only  able  to  run  a majority  through  in  the  pilot  gunners'  course,  but 
our  percentage  of  qualifications  is  very  satisfactory  and  frjuch  higher  than  in 
past  years.  We  are  all  great  believers  in  the  0-2H  for  aerial  gunnery  and  only 
hope  the  0-25A  will  prove  as  satisfactory. 

The  Pacific  Coast  Air  Corps  Unit  of  R.CTT.C.  is  now  undergoing  training  at 
Crissy  Field.  Owing  to  the  fact  that  Maj • Harvey  S.  Burwell,  AiC.,  from  the  Uni- 
versity of  California,  was  forced  to  take  leave,  1st  Lieut®  W„R.  Sweeley,  A.C., 
was  sent  up  from  Long  Beach  to  assist  in  the  R.O.T.C.  work®  1st  Lieut.  Russel 
Maughan  was  called  in  from  Salt  Lake  City  and  now  has  charge  of  the  Camp,  Lieut. 
Sweeley  having  returned  to  Long  Beach. 

1st  Lieut.  LeRoy  A.  Walthall,  A.C . ,D,.0  .L. , formerly  of  this  station  and  now 
Unit  Instructor  for 'the  Seconcf  Reserve  District,  is  conducting  the  camp  for  Re- 
serve Officers  at  Mather  Field.  Crissy  Field  is  furnishing  all  the  enlisted  per- 
sonnel for  this  camp  and  this,  with  the  other  drains  on  Crissy  Field  personnel 
for  manning  Reserve  Officer  Camps'  at  Vancouver  Barracks,  Washington,  Salt  Lake 
City,  Utah,  and  Long  Beach,  California,  keeps  the  remaining  personnel  working 
hard,  and  long. 


- 249  - 


V-6072,A»C 


Nichols,  Fi,eld_K  JRizalj,  jP»,I..*Julx  JLOth? 


66th  Service.  jSjqua dr oyi  : Ca.pt „ Charles  A.  Fursley  left  oil  May  30th  for  China 
and  Japan*.  At  Nagasaki  he  will. .board  the  Transport  "Grant"  for  the  States  and 
will  proceed  to  his  new  station  at  Langley  Field. 

Lieut.  Charles  Douglas  returned  ..from-  detached  service  at  Camp  John  Hay  on 
June  1st  and  assumed  the  duties  of  Assistant  Mess  Officer. 

The  Transport  "Grant"  arrived  in  Manila  on  June  21st,  bringing  1st  Sgt . James 
St  Grisham  from  Langley  Field,  who  relieved  Sgt.  Joseph  H.  Benevedes. 

Tech.Sgt.  Edward  Miller  arrived  on  the  same  boat,  also  Staff  Sgt.  Raymond 
Kerr,  Bolling  Field,  and  Sgt.  Fred  W*  Caldwell,  Brooks  Field. 

The  "Short  Timers",  dinner  for  members  of  this  squadron  and  those  of  head- 
quarters detachment  returning  to  the  mainland  on  June  27th  was  held  on  the  18th. 
The  Mess  Sergeant  and  his  staff  were  congratulated  on  the  splendid  dinner  served. 

The  Nichols  Field  Golf  Tournament  was  held  on  June  20th.  Sgt.  John  Murphy 
of  this  squadron  won  the  championship  for  the  year  1930.  Pvt.  l/cl.  Howard  E. 
Hause  of  the  66th  was  runners-up.  A cup  will  be  presented  by  the  Nichols  Field 
Golf  Association. 

H®JALQN-arjLe_r,s-^_  4-th.  CF.qH.pA  Capt.  E.C.  Black  was  assigned  to  Head- 

quarters. 

Mr. Sgt.  Garner,  Tech.Sgt.  Malloy,  and  Sgts.  Dobbs  and  Fo'ster  arrived  on  the 
transport  and  were  assigned  to  headquarters.  Mr.  Sgt,  Garner  is  replacing  Staff 
Sgt.  Gaspard:  as  Post  Sergeant  Major. 

2d  Qbseryat ion  _Sjqua_dr_on : During  the  first  ten  days  of  the  month  a large 
number  of  formation  flights  were  made  to  various  places  within  a radius  of  70 
miles  of  the  field. 

On  June  11th  Lieuts.  Backes  and  Yeager  made  a cross-country  trip  to --Legaspi 
in  two  Amphibians  for  the  purpose  of  inspecting  a proposed  landing  field  for  land 
planes  at  that  place.  Several  interesting  photographs  of  the  volcano  were  made. 

On  June  14th  Lieuts.  Hayward  and  Kennedy,  made  a flight:  in  .two  02-H  planes 
to  San  Jose,  Min'doro.  • " 

The  transport,  '"Grant",  arrived  in  Manila  at  daybreak,'  June  21st,  All 
planes  of  this  squadron  flew’ out  to  meet  her. 

Lieut.  Hayward  made  a cross-country  flight  to  Olongapo.  the  same- day  to  make 
arrangements  for  the  use  of  the  naval  dry  dock  at  that  place  for  the  "Grant", 

On  June  18th  all  Squadron  men  quartered  in  the  old  barracks  were  moved  into 
the-  newly  completed  barracks. 

On  Friday,  the  13th,  the  Squadron  won  the  cup  of  the  Buck:  Pin  League  by 
taking  t\vo  games  out  of  three  in  a tie  play  off  with  the  28th. Squadron.  The 
basket  ball  team  continued  its  winning  streak  by  defeating  the  28th  in  the  second 
game  of  the  series  by  the  score  of  22  to  20,  The  game  .\vas -.pne  of  the  hardest 
fought  contests  ever  to  be  played  on  the  local  cpu.rt,  This  put  the  Second  in 
the  lead  for  the  championship  ovep 'the.  23th  Squ.adr.on,  which  won  the  cup  for  the 
last  three  years.  Under  the  command  of  Capt.  Giles,  the  Squadron  has  gone  out 
for  all  laurels  in  athletic  games  and  romped  home  ahead  in  all  events.  The  Squad- 
ron will  feel  the  loss  of  Capt,  Giles,  who  returns  to  the-  States  on  the  October 
transport.  It  is  seldom  that  an  organization  is  lucky  enough  to  secure  a Squad- 
ron Commander  who  takes  so  much  interest  .and  puts  forth  s°  much  effort  in  pro- 
moting athletics  for  the  men  as  Capt.  Giles. 

The  2d  lost  the  following  officers  on. the  June  transports  Lieuts.  Dunlap, 
Hamlin,  Johnson,  Shea  and  Stearley. 

The  following  new  officers  and  nop-commissioned  pfficers  arrived:  Lieuts. 
Davis,  Koppin  and  White 5 Mr. Sgt.  Crowder,  Staff  Sgt,  Davis,  Sgts.  Amero,  Miller 
and  Tomlinson. . 

Lieut.  Myers,  our  Squadron  Adjutant,  Mess  Officer,  Supply. Officer,  Engineer- 
ing and  Transportation  Officer  is  wearing  a broad  grin  since  the  arrival  of  the 
June  transport,  due  partially  to  the  arrival  of  Lieuts,  Valentine,  Nelson,  Zettel , 
Malone  and  Wolfinbarger , who .will  relieve  him  pf  all  but  two  of  his  jobs,  and 
also  due  to  the  arrival  of  Mrs.  Myers. 

New  arrivals  in  Manila  during  the  months  of  M$y  and  June  5 May  5th  to  -Staff 
Sgt.  and  Mrs.  Charles  B.  Field,  a girl,-  Maxene  Maryland. 

May  29th  to  Staff  Sgt.  and  Mrs.  Morris  Martin,  a girl,  Elanor  -Elaine. 

•June- 15th  to  Staff  Sgt..  and  Mrs.  Bulloch,,  a boy,  Fulton,  Jr, 


250 


V-6072,A.C 


Lukeg  Field July_  IjDthjs 


Capto  Harry  CD  Drayton,  relinquished;  command  of  72nd  Bombardment  Sq.,  and 
returned  to  the  mainland  on  the-  "CAMERA!";,  /June  5,2th,  for  station:  at  A.C.  Tech- 
nical School,  Chanute  Field,  111.,:  He' will  enjoy -a  leave  of  absence  prior  to 
reporting  for  duty  at  his  new  station.  Capt.  Horace  N.'Heisen  assumed  command 
of  the  72nd  on  the  departure  .of  .Capt.  Drayton.  - • 

1st  Lieut.  Russell  L.  Williamson  returned  to  duty:  I rot:  3 months’  leave  on 

the  7th  and  sailed  on  the  "CAMERA!",  June  12th,  for  his  new  station  at 
Wright  Field. , Ohio. 

1st  Lieut.  William  B.  Clarke,  relieved  1st  Lieut.  Williamson  as  Officer  in 
Charge  of  Hawaiian  Air  Depot,  on  June  12th. 

Capt.  Ulysses  G.  Jones  assumed  duties ' off  Executive  Officer  of  Luke  Field. 

1st  Lieut.  John  A,  Laird,  Jr.,  relieved  Capt . Jones  as  Adjutant  of  Luke 
Field  and  5th  Composite  Group,  A.C. 

, 2nd  Lieut.  Sheldon  B.  Edwards,  was  detailed  as  Assistant  to  1st  Lieut. 
Benjamin  F.  Griffin,  to  Post  Maintenance  Officer. 

Announcement  was  made  on  the  12th  at  a tea  given  by  Mrs.  Caroline  E«  Peter- 
son of  the  engagement  of  her  daughter,  Muriel,  to  2nd  Lieut.  Edwin  W.  Rawlings, 
A.C.  Miss  Muriel  Peterson  is  a graduate  of  Punahou  and  Mills  College. 

Capt.  William  E.  Lynd  and  Mr.  Sgt.  Christian  E.  Peterson,  of  the  Office 
of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  arrived  on  the  "CAMBRAI"  on  June  12th  to  inspect 
A.C.  units  and  activities  at  Luke  Field  and  Wheeler  Field. 

Since  the  last  issue  of  the  HEWS  LETTER,  orders  were  issued  directing  1st 
Lieut.  James  F..J°  Early  to  report  to  March  Field,  on  completion  of  his  present 
tour  of  foreign  service,  as  a student  at  the  Primary  Flying  School,  instead 
of  to  1st  Balloon  Co.,  at  Fort  Sill,  Okla. 

■2nd  Lieut.  Reginald  R.  Gillespie,  4th  Obs.  Squadron,  A.C.,  was  promoted  to 
1st  Lieutenant,  to  rank  from  June  7,  1930. 

1st  Lieuts.  John  W.  Y/arren  and  Robert  H.  Finley  arrived  June  25th  on  the 
"St ?Mihiel" • The  former  was  assigned  to  72nd  Bomb.  Sq.  and  the  latter  to  the 
4th  Obs.  Sq.  Lieut.  Warren  was  detailed  as  Assistant  to  Officer  in  Charge  of 
the  Hawaiian  Air  Depot,  in  addition  to  his  other  duties. 

2nd  Lieut.  Sheldon  B.  .Edwards  was  promoted  to  1st  Lieutenant,  to  rank  from 
June.  21st,  1930. 

On  the  19th  Capt.  Lynd,  A.C-..',  and  M/Sgt.  Peterson  flew  to  Hilo,  Hawaii,  in 
the  Fokker,  to  inspect  landing  fields  on  that  Island.  Capt.  Lynd,  and  M/Sgt. 
Peterson  are  representatives  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps.  Thus,  for  the  first 
time  since  establishing  A.C.  troops  in' Hawaii,  was  an  inspection  carried  out  by 
representatives  from  the  Chief’s  office. 

Seventeen  recruits  arrived  on  the  "CAMBRAI'1'  on  June  1st,  and  six  recruits 
arrived  on  the  25th  for  Luke  and  Wheeler  Fields.  The  contingent  of  six  recruits 
is  the  smallest  to  arrive  for  the  Air  Corps  since  establishment  of  the  two  air 
fields  in  the  Department. 

Luke  Field  flyers  in  the  Sector-Navy  ieague  played  the  following  games 


during  the  month  of  June',  with  the.  results,  as  shown: 

Luke  Field  - ' 0 Submarine  Base  - 4 

" ",  - 10  Marines.  - 4 

" " - 3 Naval > Air ■ - 11 

" " -6  i Honolulu  - 5 

" " - 2 Marines  - 5 

, " : . - } 2:  ' Marines  ' - 1 

" " - 0 . Naval  , Air-  - 4 


The  game  with  Naval  Air  which  ended  4-0  against  Luke  Field  was,  from  the 
spectator s-T  standpoint,  the  best  game  ever  played  on  the  Luke  Field  diamond  in 
the  history  of  competition  between  the  two  teams.  "Luck"  and  the  breaks  of  the 
game  were  against  the  JAike  Fliers.. 

The  game  with  the  Marines j which  Luke  Field  won  by  score  2-1,  was  an  ex- 
hibition of  brilliant  pitching  between  Delaney,  for  the  flyers,  and  Stum,  for 
the  -Leathernecks.  Delaney  allowed  the  Marines  only  two  hits  of  the  scratch 
variety®  The  first  hpt.  came  in  .the  5th-  inning,  when  a ground  ball  bounced  badly 
over  Olszanowicz',  and  in  the  7th  inning,  arhigh 'fly  fell  between  Byars,  1st 
Basemen,  Olszanowicz,  and  Lapslqy,'  just  two  yards-  inside  the  first  base  foul  line 
for  a single.  Olszanowicz  attempted  to  make  the  catch  but  missed,  the  ball  roll- 
ing into  foul  territory,  while  the  runner  advanced  to  second.  No  damage  caused 
as  the  side  was  retired. 


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V-6072,A.C 


The  game  with  Honolulu!:,  which  wbn  by  the  Flyers,  6-5, was  a spirited  con- 
test, with  the  Flyers  trailing  until  ihe  8th  inning,  when  a 4-run  rally  put  them 
ahead,  six  hits  and  a sacrifice  accounting  for  the  necessary  margin  of  victory . 

By  this  victory  for  the  Flyers  of  two  wins  for  one  loss  of  the  three  games  played 
a record  of  six  years  standing  was  established  whereby  Honolulu  has  failed  to 
defeat  the  Flyers  on  their  heme  diamond* 

Only  five  games  remain  to  be  played  by  the  Flyers  in  the  Sector-Navy  League 
for  the  1930  season.  The  Squadrons  on  Luke  Field  will  then  devote  time  to  prep- 
aration for  the  interesting  competition  for  the  "KUNTZ-MOSES1'  .Memorial  Trophy. 
Swimming,  Volley  Ball,  Basket  Ball,  and  Boxing  are  the  events  to  be  competed  in  - 
by  the  squadrons  for  the  Trophy. 

Brooks  Field , San  Antonio,  Texas,  Aug.....  15th : 

Lieut. -Col.  H.E.  Clagett , Commanding  Officer  of  Brooks  Field,  will  serve  as 
a referee  for  the  National  Aeronautic  Association  in  the  forthcoming  Brownsville- 
Chicago  Men's  Derby. 

1st  Lieut.  S.i.u  Connell,  formerly  Post  Exchange  Officer,  Brooks  Field,  was 
transferred  to  Chanute  Field.  2nd  Lieut.  L.H.  Douthit  is  now  Post  Exchange 
Officer. 

1st  Lieut.  RoD.  Knapp,  Operations  Officer  of  Brooks  Field,  flew  to  Chanute 
Field  the  sixteenth  to  return  seven  graduates  of  the  Technical  School  to  their 
station  in  the  Air  Corps  Training  Center. 

2nd  Lieut.  John  ii.  Jones,  formerly  stationed  in  Canal  Zone  Department,  re- 
ported at  Brooks  Field  for  duty,  and  was  assigned  to  the  Flying  Department. 

1st  Lieut.  Howard  N.  Engler  of  Brooks  Field,  received  orders  transferring 
him  to  Chanute  Field. 

2nd  Lieut.  E.H.  Lawson,  Brooks  Field,  is  now  on  leave  at  Lexington,  Ky. 

2nd  Lieut.  Morris  F.  Daly  of  Brooks  Field.,  is  at  present  on  leave,  at  the 
expiration  of  which  he  will  report  to  ’Jest  Point  where  he  has  been  detailed  to 
duty  as  coach  of  the  Point  football  team. 

2nd  Lieut.  James  W.  McCauley,  Post  Field,  reported  for  duty  at  Brooks  Field j 
and  was  assigned  to  the  Flying  Department. 

2nd  Lieut.  Charles  K.  Deerwester,  Brooks  Field,  was  transferred  to  Chanute 
Field. 

Fort  Sill , 0kla.t  July  29th: 

The  major  part  of  the  month  was  taken  up  with  gunnery  practice.  Most  of  the 
record  and  part  of  the  preliminary  practice  was  done  at  Fort  Crockett,  Galveston, 
Texas.  The  Officers  were  divided  into  two  groups,  the  first  group  went  down  on 
the  seventh  of  July  and  started  firing  immediately.  As  each  officer  finished  he 
was  sC-jt  back  to  the  home  airdrome  and  an  officer  from  the  second  group  replaced' 
him.  All  of  the  bombing  and  two  phases  of  the  observers*  ground  course  were  done 
on  the  home  range#  Second  Lieut.  Lilburn  D.  Fator,Capt.  Lawrence  P.  Hickey  and 
Mr/Sgt.  Chester  F.  Colby  were  high  men  in  order  named. 

Maj.-General  William  Lassiter  was  an  overnight  visitor  at  the  Post, July  16th. 

Lieut.  Carter,  ferrying  an  0-25  from  Santa  Monica,  Calif.,  to  Ft.  Riley, 
Kans.,  stopped  here  over  Mght  July  17th. 

2nd  Lieuts.James  W.McCauley  and  Richard  I. Dugan  departed  on  a month's  leave. 

2nd  Lieuts.George  G.  Northrup,  James  ¥.  McCauley,  Dudley  E.  Whitten  and 
Douglas  T.  Mitchell  went  to  Buffalo,  N.Y.,  by  rail  and  ferried  back  four  new 
0-19B  Thomas-Morse  Observation  planes. 

2nd  Lieut.  George  G.  Northrup  was  ordered  to  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  on 
detached  service. 

2nd  Lieut.  Joell  G.  Pitts,  Air-Reserve,  reported  for  one  year's  active  duty 
with  this  organization. 

3rd.  Att ack_  Grpup_,_  Ft. Crockett,  Texas,  Aug.  JLstj 

Amelia  Earhart  visited  the  Group  recently  in  company  with  Lieut.  J.  Harper, 

U.  S.N.  They  were  guests  at  a luncheon  tendered  them  at  the  Officers'  Club  by 
Ma j . Davenport  Johnson  and  officers  of  the  Group, 

2nd  Lieut.  Karl  G.E.  Gimmler  and  Sgt.  Frank  Sirovic,  13th  Attack  Squadron, 
joined  the  ranks  of  the  Caterpillar  Club  at  about  5:00  PM. , Tuesday , July  15,  near 
Hallettsville , Texas,  when  their  elevator  jammed  and  they  were  forced  to  bail 
tut.  No  injuries  were  sustained. 

The  baseball  season  ending  in  a tie  between  the  60th  Service  Squadron  and 


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V-6072,A.C. 


the  90th  Attack  Squadron,  a three-  game  Series  -was  then  played,  and  the  90th 
won  two  straight  '.games , .8-6,  3-0,  to  win  the.  Post  championship.  There  will  not 
be  a,  second  half  to  the  -baseball  season  as  football  practice  will  start  soon. 

From  the  appearance  of  the  new  material,  we. will  have  another. championship  team 
this  year. 

Record  gunnery  and  bombing  in  this  Squadron,  which  has  been  delayed,  is 
nearing  completion.  Fifteen  officers  fired  the  "B"  course  for  pilots,  of  which ■ 
number  five  qualified  as  sharpshooters  and  seven  as  marksmen,  three  failing . to  . . 
qualify.  All  scores  are  considered  fairly  satisfactory,  considering  that  they 
were  made,  largely,  under  typical  Kansas  wind  conditions. 

Orders  were  received  relieving  2nd  Lieut,  Carl  K.  Olson, , Air-Res . , from 
active  duty,  effective  the  28th  inst.  Lieut.  Olson  requested  this  action  in 
order  to  accept  a position  in  civil  life.  He  was  well  liked  in  the  Squadron, 

"and  we  wish  him  success. 

2nd  Lieut.  S.w.Cheyney , formerly  stationed  at  Rockwell  Field,  reported  for 
duty  at  this  station  on  the  26th. 

Mr.Sgt.  Arnold  Ruef  just  returned  from  a ten-day  fishing  trip  in  Colorado. 
His  story  is,  that  to  find  good  fishing  territory  it  was  necessary  to  camp  near 
the  snow  line.  He  planned  to  stay  a month  but,  of  course,  the  fish  didn't  — 

I mean,  he  forgot  to  carry  with  him  sufficient  blankets  and  had  to  return  early. 
He  confesses  that  he  probably  should  have  gone  to  Wisconsin  or  Minnesota  so  far 
as  '’weather"  (? ) is  concerned.  An  eighty-twenty  unique  and  plausible  story-,- Ruef. 

Ao^on..AXr^ort^_Ea_s.t  Bosio^JVlass^L  July,  2.6th:  * ■ 

-Activities  for  week  of  June  29th  - July  5th: 

After  last  week’s  almost  unprecedented  rush  of -activity,  which  resulted  in 
using;  up  all  our  allotted  flying  hours  before  the  end  of  the  fiscal  year,  this 
week  seemed  rather  dull.  On  Sunday,  Capt.  Ford  returned  from  Columbus,  Ohio, 

• via  Bolling  Field,  bringing  •••Capt;'  Lusk  with  him? -Tuesday*  -two  Reserves  put  in 
seme  time  and  Lieut.  Wilson  flew  to  Mitchel -Field § returning  the  next  -days- Thurs- 
day, Lieut  .Greer  flew  i.Iaj' Lincoln  to  Bolling  Field,  returning  alone  on  Friday 5 
Saturday,  our  only  activity  was  welcoming  visitors.  Lieut s.  Rogers  and  Desros“* 
iers  arrived  from  Brooks  Field  in  a Douglas  X-104-  and  :Capt.  Pa  scale  with  Lieut. 
Hollidge  came  in  from  Langley  Field.  Lieut.  Owens  came  in .from  Bangor , Me.,  and 
General  Brown  with  Lieut.  Stranathan  were  the  last  arrivals  of  the  week,  coming 
'from  Washington,  D.C. 

Activities  for  week  of  July  6th  - July  12th: 

General  Walker  opened  the  week  for  us  by  having  Lieut.  Wilson  fly  him  on 
Sunday  between  Vineyard  .Haven  on  the  Island  of  Nantucket,  and  Newport,  R'.I.,'  and 
Hyannis  on  Cape  Cod.  Two  Reserve  officers,  Capt.,  Holterman  and  Lieut.  Towner, 
began  their  two  Weeks'  tour  of  active  duty.  Tuesday,  we  put  in  a very  active 
day.  Reserve  flying,  parachute  testing  and  a couple  of  short  cross-country  trips 
made  up  the  day.  Wednesday,  we  put  in  some  little  time  and  Thursday',  we  had 
another  big  day,  wliich  included  two  round  trips  to  Mitchel  Field.  Friday,  was 
quiet  and  Saturday  wound  up  the  week  with  a lot  of  reserve  flying,  a trip  to 
Woodstock,  Vt.3  and  another  to  Mitchel  Fields.  Our  only  visitor  .was  Lieut.  ,'H.M. 
Wittkop  on  his  way  from  Mitchel  Field  to  Portland,  Me.,  on  Saturday. 

Activities  for  week  of  July  13  - July  19th:. 

Sunday,  Lieut.  Wilson,  left  Mitchel  Field  with.  Lieut.  Steed  and  went  on  to 
Langley  Field.  Monday,  they  returned  to  Mitchel  Field  and  Capt.  Holterman  came 
back  from  Woodstock,  Vt . Tuesday  was  not  very  active,.  .Only  one  Reserve  officer, 
besides  those  on  active  duty,  did  any  flying.  Lieut.  Wilson  returned  from  Mit- 
chel Field.  Wednesday,  Lieut.  Wilson  and  Lieut.  Bogert  were  the  only  local  fly- 
ers, but  this  day  saw  the  start  of' a long  trip  for  tke  two'  Reserve  officers  on 
active  duty,  Capt,  Holterman  apd  Lieut.  Towner.  They  took  off  with  Capt.  Ford 
using  two  0-11  *s  and  an  01-B,  for.  a non-stop  flight  to  Langley  Field.  Major. 
Cummings,  M.C,,  and  two  mechanics  were  the  passengers.  On  Thursday  they  came 
back,  stopping  at  Bolling  and  Mitchel  Fields.  Meanwhile.,,  a number  of  Reserves 
were  putting  in  time  on.  the  FT’ s,  and  Col.  Lincoln,  went  with  Lieut  , 'Wilson  to 
Groton,  Conn. , .and  back.  Friday  was,  very  quiet,  Saturday,  too,  was  quieter  • 
than  usual,  with  only  two  flights  leaving  the  vicinity  of  3oston-,  One  of  those  • 
carried  General  Walker  to  Martha. 9 s Vineyard  and - back,  Qur  only  visitors  during 
the  week  were  Lieuts,  Brookings,  Evans  and  Eater,  all  from  Mitchel  Field. 


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V-6072, A.C 


Sc o 1 1_  Fields  Bell^vi_llea_  111. , „Aug_.. »5t.h « 

On  Aug,  1st,  a flight  of  six  0-19' s,  commanded  by  Lieut. -Col.  John  A.  Paege- 
low,  went  to  Knoxville,  Tenn.  to  attend' .the  dedication  of  an  airport. 

Mrs.  Frederick  Bacher , Scott  Field,  received  slight  injuries  while  horse- 
back riding  on  Aug.  2nd,  when  her  mount  ran  into  an  automobile  on  the  Scott  Field 
road. 

40th_  Division  Calif.  National  Guard,  July,  Augg«j.  .1.930* 

The  115th  Observation  Squadron  was  recently  in  the  throes  of  preparing  for 
summer  training  camp  at  San  Luis  Obispo.  During  this  period  no  flying  was  done 
due  to  the  fact  that  all  materiel  and  tools  were  prepared  for  shipment  to  the 
camp.  The  enlisted  men  and  baggage  left  for  the  camp  via  the  Southern  Pacific 
on  July  26th.  On  the  same  date  nine  planes  were  ferried  to  the  camp  by  the  fly- 
ing personnel  of  the  Squadron. 

The  Squadron  welcomes  a new  officer  - Lieut,  Richard  Hoffman,  o recent  grad- 
uate of  Brooks  and  Kelly  Fields,  and  congratulates  Lieut.  Nop  upon  his  promotion 
to  1st  Lieutenant. 

Capt*  E,  A .Peterman  for  the  past  six  months  on  leave  in  Washington, D.C. , 
returned  to  duty  as  Operations  Officer. 

Lieuts.  Robinson,  Carroll,  Wallen  and  Gard  recently  completed  long  and  suc- 
cessful cross-country  trips  to  Sacramento  and  the  Bay  District  of  San  Francisco. 
Lieuts.  Larson  and  Wallen  completed  trips  to  Dry  Lake,  for  the  purpose  of  checking 
the  new  aerial  machine  guns.  Our ! two  0-17 *s  were  recently  equipped  with  rear 
gun  mounts  for  this  purpose. 

On  July  18th  the  Squadron  flew  a formation  for  the  funeral  services  conduct- 
ed for  the  late  Maury  Graham,  air  mail  pilot,  whose  body  was  found  in  the  wilds 
of  Utah  after  a search  of  six  months.  Maury  was  formerly  a member  of  this 
squadron,  ; 

Major  Haynes,  Commanding  Officer  of  the  41st  Division  on  Aviation,  Washington 
National  Guard,  of  Spokane,  Wash.,  recently  dropped  in  to  pay  us  a visit,  having 
ferried  an  0-2  to  Rockwell  from  his  home  station. 

On  Sunday,  July  20th,  all  personal  equipment,  etc.,  was  drawn  by  this  organ- 
ization for  Fhipraent  to  camp.  This  necessarily  disrupted  the  schedule  for  drill, 
the  washout  being  made  complete  by  the  fact  that  all  flying  equipment  was  grounded. 

Lieuts,  Sewall  and  Miller  put  in  several  days  of  duty  at  Capitola  with  the. 
250th  Field  Artillery,  Calif.  N.G.,  doing  tow  target  and  spotting  work.  These 
officers  joined  their  organization  on  the  2-Sth  at  San  Luis  Obispo, 

The  advance  detachment  to  camp,  commanded  by  Lieut,  Wallen,  left  this  station 
^ y train  on  Wednesday  the  23rd.  These  men  will  also  act  as  the  rear  detachment 
remaining  nt  camp  for  one  day  after  the  main  strength  is  relieved. 

iUhanute  Field,  Rantoul,  III . . ' July  26th s 

Lieuts.  Lanagan  and  Moon  were  ordered  to  Santa  Monica,  Cal.,  to,  ferry  iv/o 
new  0-25A.  airplanes  from  the  Douglas  Aircraft  Factory  to  this  Field.  These  air- 
planes are  the  first  of  an  allotment  of  ten  authorized  for  this  station.  The  re- 
maining eight  are  now  on  a priority  schedule  " and  will  be  ready  for  delivery  in 
in  the  near  future. 

Looking  out  on  the  flying  field  nowadays  gives  us  the  impression  of  an  At- 
tack Squadron,  as  we  have  eleven  A-3  airplanes.  Practically ' all  of  the  older  mod- 
el 0-2  planes  have  either  been  condemned  or  surveyed  as  unfit  for  service,  Wien 
delivery  is  effected  on  the  0-25A  ships,  flying  time  should  be  easier  to  secure 
than  heretofore o 

Major  Martin  of  the  Chief's  Office  recently  inspected  the  Operations  and 
Engineering  Departments.  He  found  everything  in  excellent  condition  and  was  well 
pleased. 

1st  Lieut.  Walter  K.  Burgess  reported  back  for  'duty  after  spending  a month's 
leave  of  absence  motoring  to  the  West  Coast  and  back’. 

Tech.  Sgt.  George  P.  Klingler  recently  received; a long  deserved  promotion  to 
Mr.  Sgt.,  after  being  our  Flight  Chief  for  a number  of  years.  Immediately  upon 
notification  of  promotion,  Sgt . : Klingler  received  orders  transferring  him  to 
Selfridge  Field.  Tech.  Sgt.  Paul  B.  Jackson,  one  of  our  two  enlisted  pilots,  re- 
placed Sgt.  Klingler  as  Flight  Chief. 


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V-6072,  A.C 


Congressman  Clague  of  Minnesota,  was  an  unofficial  visitor  here  recently. 

He  came  unannounced,  and  was  shown  through  the  school  by  Capt.  Voss  and  Col. 
Wuest,  Upon  completion  of  his  unofficial  inspection,  Lieut.  Kaye,  our  Personnel 
Adjutant,  flew  him  to  Minneapolis,  Minn,  Congressman  Clague  is  a member  of  the 
Military  Affairs  Commmittee. 

Maxwell . Fiel d , Mont g ornery , Alcu^  July,  ,30th: 

Congressman  Lister  Hill  was  the  guest  of  Maj . Walter  Weaver,  Commanding 
Officer  of  Maxwell  Field,  on  July  28th  during  the  aerial  review  for  General  Frank 
Ro  McCoy. 

On  Jul}'  29th,  a special  demonstration  of  the  dropping  of  Machine  guns  and 
personnel  from  planes  by  parachute  ms  recorded  by  Paramount  Sound  News , the  ex- 
hibition having  been  requested  by  the  Motion  Picture  Organization  and  approved 
by  the  Commander  of  the  Fourth  Corps  Area. 

An  aerial  demonstration  for  the  American  Legion  was  staged  on  July  30th  by 
the  flying  personnel.  The  events  consisted  of  formation  flying,  balloon  straf- 
fing, bombing  a dummy  battleship,  para.c'hute  jumping  and  acrobatics.  The  review 
attracted  an  unusually  large  audience. 

On  the  same  day  the  Hon..  F.  Trubee  Davison,  Assistant  Sedretary  of  War, 
visited  Maxwell  Field  on  the  first  stop  of  his  ten  thousand-mile  tour  of  the  Air 
Corps  Posts  of  the  United  States.  While  here,  he  addressed  the  Alabama  Depart- 
ment of  the  American  Legion,  at  their  Convention.  Secretary  Davison  spent  the 
afternoon  in  an  inspection  of  Maxwell  Field,  proceeding  from  here  to  Shreveport,- 
La. 

Post  Summer  School  is  in  session  for  the  junior  officers  of  the  field. 
Schedules  of  instruction  include  Communication,  Courts  Martial,  Cross-country 
Maintenance,  Radio  an.d  Customs  of  the  Service. 

Mr.  Harry  A.  Kemming,  Instructor  of  Life  Saving  for  the  American  Red  Cross, 
was  at  Maxwell  Field  for  three  days,  during  which  time  he  gave  instruction  to 
the  officers  and  enlisted  personnel  of  Maxwell  Field. 

Maxwell  Field  ? Ho  nig  ornery,  Ala.,  Aug . IStjbs 

The  most  interesting  thing  which  has  happened  at  Maxwell  in  the  .opinion  of 
all  the  officers,  is  the  arrival  of  the  hew  Thomas-Morse  airplanes.  Eight  have 
already  been  ferried  from  Buffalo  and  four  more  are  to  be  secured  within  a short 
while • 

Maxwell  officers  have  been  active  in  the  ferrying  of  National  Guard  aircraft 
having  flown  four  0-11* s and  one  PT  to  various  outfits  during  August. 

.Maj . Walter  Weaver,  Commanding  Officer,  accompanied  by  Capt.  M.A.  McFadden, 
Constructing  Quartermaster,  was  piloted  by  Lieut.  Persons  in  the  C-l  to  Washing- 
ton, where  he  visited  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps. 

Lieut.  li.Lo  Cote,  formerly  stationed  here,  again  reported  for  duty,  having 
just  completed  the  Photographic  Course  at  Chanute  Field. 

The  following  Maxwell.  Field  officers  have  instructions  to  report  to  Chanute 
Field  by  October  1st,  for  courses  of  study  at  the’  Technical  School,  viz;  Lieut s. 
Spencer  Calloway  and  Stoyte  Ross,  Aircraft  Armament?  Lieut.  G.H.  Henderson,  Com- 
munications? Lieut.  Philip.  D.  Coates,  Photographic. 

During  July,  Maxwell  Field  led  twenty  Army  stations  in  re-enlistments,  hav- 
ing a record  of  100^. 

The  Flyers,  our  baseball  outfit,  bids  fair  to  win  the  pennant  in  the  City 
League  of  Montgomery.  With  onl^r  a few  more  games  to  play,  our  boys  are  well  in  ; 
the  lead. 

March,  Fields  Xav_ejrside^  Calif. , Kug,._  jBth: 

Maj.  J»T.  McNarney,  A.C.,  Mrs.  McNarney  and  daughter,  arrived  at  March  Field 
on  Aug.  5th  for  station.  Maj.  McNarney  assumed  command,  vice  Maj.  M.F.  Harmon, 
•transferred  to  Ft.  Leavenworth. 

1st  Lieut.  Joseph  P.  Bailey, . accompanied  by  Mrs.  Bailey,  reported  for  duty 
on  Aug.  1st  from  Panama.  They  have  been ■ assigned  quarters-  on  the  Post. 

Capt.  \7alter  Jo  Reed,  A.C.,  left  on  the  Transport  "Somme"  on  July  30th  for 
Langley  Field,  where  he  is  to  enroll  in' the  next  class  at  the  Tactical  School. 

Asst.  Secy,  of  War,  Hon.  F.  Trufeee  Davison,  paid  a visit  to  March  Field  on 
Aug.  7th,  for  the  purpose  of  inspection.  He  was  much  impressed  with  the  improve- 

- 255  - V-6072 ,A.C. 


ment  made  on  the  Post  during  the  past  year,  as  well  as  with  the  beauty  of  the 
officers’  club, Which  he  declared  as  being  the. finest  he  has  seen  in  the  Army* 

.He  was  entertained  at  luncheon,  by  Jlaji  LIciJarney. 

SelfrjLd^je  FjLeld. Mtj* Cl emens,^  M\ch.^  July^.  19.30 ! 

17th  Pursuit  Squadrons  Lieut • Francisco  Cad aval , of  the  Argentine  Navy,  has 
been  attached  to  the  17th-  Pursuit : Squadron,  f. or  tactical  training  and  for  the  per- 
iod of  the  encampment  at- Camp  Skeel,  Oscoda,  Mich.  Lieut*  Cadaval  was  sent  to 
this  country  by  his  government  for  the  purpose  of  studying  at  the  Air  Corps  Tech- 
nical and  Tadtical  Schools.  He  recently  completed  the  photographic  course  at 
Chanute  Field,  and  will  enter  the  .new  class  at  the  Tactical  School,  Langley  Field, 
Va.„  in  September,  after  finishing  the  gunnery  practice  at  Camp  Skeel. 

The  i7th  Pursuit  Squadron  left  for  the  gunnery  camp  at  Oscoda,  Mich.,  the 
first  part  of  August  for  three  weeks”  intensive  gunnery  practice.  Both  Curtiss 
r-l’s  and  the  new  Boeing  P-1 2B”.s;  will  be  used  for  firing. 

27th  Pursuit  Squadron ,}  Beginning  July  by  completing  a very  nice  two  weeks’ 
trip  to  Chicago,  the  27th'  Squadron;  worked  during  the  month  with  a vigor  charac- 
teristic of  that  organization.  Meeting  with  and  overcoming  such  seemingly  in- 
surmountable tasks  as  dedicating  airports,  filling  out  form  "l's"  and  accident 
reports  for  Reserve  officers  on  two  weeks’  active  duty,  the  month  was,  indeed, 
a full  one  for  those  officers  who  had  not  the  foresight  to  request  leave. 

, On. July  12th,  four  27th  pilots  flew  with  a flight  from  Group  Headquarters 
to  welcome  Commander  Byrd  to  Chicago® 

.•  • Six  pilots  from  this  • Squadron  with  Lieut.  M.L.  Elliott  in  command,  enjoyed 

a pleasant  week-end  in'' Niles,  Mich.  jhe.  event  was  occasioned  by. the  arrival  of 
the  All-Michigan  Aviation  Tour  in  that  city. 

Oh  July  12th,  Lieut.  Siilin  gave  an  instructive  and  interesting  smoke  demon- 
stration over  the  city  of  Battle  Creek,  .Mich.  Lieut.  Siilin  -is  our  most  exper- 
ienced pilot  in  the  matter  of  smoke  screens  and  is,  we'  believe,  a very  capable 
demonstrator. 

Lieut s.  Smith,  C.F.  Hegy,  E.F.  Yost  and  N.B,  Olsen,  by  dint  of  hard  work, 
well  accomplished  tasks,  pleasing  personalities,  and  the  common  sense  to  request 
it,  were  granted  and  enjoyed  two  weeks’  leave  during  the  month  of  July.  The 
above  mentioned  four  returned  to  the  organization  either  love-sick  or  lazy,  ac- 
cording to  their  respective  temperaments • 

The  end  of  the  month  finds  the  Squadron  cheerfully  endeavoring  to  make  the 
best  of  a period  of  forced  inactivity. 

94th  Pursuit  Squadrons  Fishing  and  swimming  seemed  to  dominate  the  after- 
noons and  many  an  unwary  soldier  came  back  to  Selfridge  with  a peeling  sunburn, 
but  scarcely,  if  any,  fish. 

Some  of  the  high  spots  of  the  camp  were  the  visits  of  Asst.  Secy,  of  War, 

Hon.  F.  Trubee  Davison,  Ma j . Brett  and  ilaj.  Brower,  the  visit  of  the  Siamese 
Colonel  inspecting  our  Air  Corps;  and  the  flight  to  Bay  City  on  the  27th  to  as- 
sist in  dedicating  a new  airport® 

Lieut.  Carl  Feldmann  is  now  at  Walter  Reed  Hospital  and  everyone  is  glad  to 
hear  that  he  is  improving.  He  will  be  in  the  hospital  for  perhaps  two  more 
months,  and  will  be  welcomed  back  to  Self ridge  as  soon  as  the  "Medicos"  will  turn 
him  loose. 

The  94th  Squadron  is  glad  to  welcome  Lieut s.  Mosher,  Jacobs,  Pincomb  and 
Waitkus,  v;ho  came  here  from  Kelly  Field  last  month. 

Upon  returning  from  Camp  Skeel,  the  94th  Squadron  finds  itself  in  plans  for 
schooling  the  Reserve  officers  on  two  weeks’  active  duty  the  first  part  of  August 
The  P-12’s  will  undergo  a most  needed  overhaul  while  PT-l’s  and  PT-3’s  hold  the 
stage  for  a short  time. 

France  Field,  SL9JL*-xr  Aug.  15th  t 

Although  activities  at  this  station  have  been  extremely  quiet  during  the 
past  few  months,  the  usual  homeward  trek  of  the  Commissioned  and  Enlisted  Per- 
sonnel v/ho  have  completed  their  tour  of  Foreign  Service  promises  to  become  a ver- 
itable "Big  Parade"  as  a result  of  the  hew  Foreign  Service  Two  Year  Billc  Under 
the  new  measure,  those  who  formerly  had  from  six  months  to  a year  to  complete 
their  tour  now  find  themselves  "short-timers"  and  Headquarters  is  at  work  com- 
pleting an  accurate  list  of  those  Who:  are  eligible  to  return  to  the  States. 

V-6072,A.C. 


- 256 


During  the  past  few  weeks  five  officers  have  left  the  Field  for  assignments 
in  the  United  States,  1st  Lieut.  Edward  D.  Jones,  former  Adjutant,  will  be  sta- 
tioned at  Duncan  Field,  Texas | 1st  Lieut.  Robert  T.  Cronau  was  relieved  and  or- 
dered to  report  to  Langley  Field,  Va.|  ' si  Lieut.  Don  17.  May hue  drew  an  assign- 
ment at  Ft.  Crockett,  Texas,  while  1st  Lieut*  Glen  C.  Jamison  proceeded  to  Lang- 
ley Field,  Va.  2nd  Lieut.  John  N.  Jones  was  to  report  to  Duncan  Field,  Texas, 
for  assignment. 

The  number  of  Captains  on  duty  here  was  increased  the  first  part  of  July 
when  1st  Lieut.  Louis  K.  Eller  accepted  the  Captain's  commission  that  was  tender- 
ed him  from  Washington.  Capt . Eller  is  assigned  to  the  24th  Pursuit  Squadron. 

Aerial  gunnery  and  bombing  practice  is  nearing  a close  with  many  of  the 
participating  officers  showing  high  scores.  Only  one  accident  has  marred  the 
practice  season  and  resulted  in  the  death  of  2nd  Lieut.  William  Letzig  and  Staff 
Sgt . Hall  of  the  7th  Observation  Squadron.  Their  DH  crashed  at  Ft.  Randolph 
while  on  a tow- target  mission  during  the  final  day  of  C.A.C.  A. A.  Machine  Gun 
practice. 

Talking  pictures  have  reached  the  Field  with  the  result  that  the  "Standing 
Room  Only"  sign  is  not  an  unusual  sight  at  the  E 6 R Building.  The  exceptional 
type  of  pictures  that  are  being1  billed  is  drawing  crowds  from  not  only  the  local 
personnel  but  from  the  Naval  Air  Station,  Submarine  Base  and  Ft.  Randolph. 

The  France  Field  installation  was  one  of  the  first  in  the  Army  Motion  Pic- 
ture Circuit  on  the  Isthmus  due  to  the  fact  that  the  technicians  necessary  for 
the  installation  were  found  among  the  members  of  the  Field  and  it  was  not  neces- 
sary to  wait  for  Department  experts. 

The  basketball  season  is  nearing  a close  with  the  France  Field  cagers  in 
possession  of  the  Gold  Coast  title.  With  seven  terms  in  the  Army  and  Navy  League 
there  has  been  plenty  of  basket  ball  for  the  crowds  to  witness  this  season  and 
with  eleven  games  in  the  discard,  the  France  Field  - quintet  has  dropped  but  one. 
With  enly’.  two  gnmes  left  to  close  the  season,  Panama  scribes  predict  the  local 
boys  will  be  easy  winners  over  the  Pacific  Side  champions,  procuring  the  Zone 
championship. 


- 257  - 


V-6072,  A.C 


TABLE  OF  COilTEMS 
0O0— ~ 

Page 

The  Air  Races  at  Chicago  . . . . . 258  - 26C 

General  Pratt  Welcomed  to  Dayton  260 

Navy  Flyers  Study  Armament  Equipment  at  Wright  Field 260 

Five  Army  Airmen  from  Panama  Visit  Wright  Field 260 

New  Coat  of  Arms  for  the  Eleventh  School  Group 260 

A Friendly  Set-to  on  the  Pacific  Coast  261 

Joliet  Welcomes  Kansas  City  Flyers  261  - 262 

France  Field  Airman  Performs  Rescue  Mission 262 

Fireflies  Illuminate  Sky  over  Chicago 262 

Airmen  Rescued  "by  Submarine  Crew 263 

High  Altitude  and  Blind  Flying 263 

Boston  Aviators  Bid  Farewell  to  Capt.  Ford  and  Lieut.  Geer 263  - 264 

Texas  National  Guard  Flyers  Spend  Two  Weeks  in  Camp.  . 264 

Distinguished  Flying  Crosses  Awarded  Air  Corps  Personnel 265  - 269 

First  Lieutenant  Retires  for  Age * 269 

In  Memoriam 269 

A Poser  for  the  Court 270 

Army  and  Navy  Maneuver  on  Pacific  Coast 270 

Fish  Stories  - Believe  Them  or  Not 270  - 271 

Unfortunate  Airplane  Accident  in  Hawaii 271 

Tough  Sledding  at  Primary  Flying  School 271 

The  Democratic  Spirit  in  the  Army 272 

General  Lahm  Returns  to  Familiar  Surroundings 272 

Air  Corps  to  Map  Olympia  Peninsula  272 

Ferrying  Planes  Between  the  U.S.  and  Panama 273 

A Question  about  the  "Question  Marks". 273 

Capt.  Warren  to  Study  at  the  Babson  Institute. 273 

Pilot  Searches  for  Himself 273 

Brooks  Field  Squadrons  Celebrate  Organization  Day 274 

Ambitious  Schedule  for  Langley  Field  Football  Team . 274  - 275 

far  Department  Older s Affecting  Air  Corps  Officers 275  - 276 

Contracts  for  New  Air  Corps  Equipment 276  ~ 276 

Army  Airman  Makes  Long  Journey  on  Horseback 277 

Changes  in  Personnel  at  Primary  Flying  School,  Brooks  Field 277 

A Soldier 277 

New  Basic  Training  Planes  for  Brooks  Field 277 

Slow  Flying  in  Training  Type  Planes 278 

Bad  News  for  Kelly  Field  Automobile  Owners 278 

New  Parachutes  Issued  at  Kelly  Field 278 

Notes  from  Air  Corps  Fields 279 


V-6075,  A.  C 


VOL.  XIV 


AIR 


CORPS 


NEWS 


NO.  11 


Information  Division  Munitions  Building 

Air  Corps  September  23,  1930 Washington,  D.C. 


Hie  chief  purpose  of  this  publication  is  to  distribute  information  on  aero- 
nautics to  the  flying  personnel  In  the  Regular  Army,  Reserve  Corps,  National 
Guard,  and  others  connected  with  aviation,, 

— -oOo- — 

THE  AIR  RACES  AT  CHICAGO 
By  Lieut.  Marshall  Andrews,  Air  Reserve 

Once  more  enthusiastic  thousands  at  the  National  Air  Races  have  seen  the 
fighting  forces  of  the  Army  Air  Corps  marshaled  in  the  airr  have  watched  their 
maneuvers,  and  have  heard  the  chant  of  powerful  engines  roaring  in  unison  above 
them. 

If  their  enthusiasm  is  any  index,  those  worthy  citizens  have  come  to  un- 
derstand more,  fully  than' ever  the  striking  power  of  air  forces.  The  amazing 
sudden  strength  of  aerial  attack  was  brought  home  to  them  time  and  again  as 
Bombardment  and  Pursuit  formations  moved  swiftly  across  the  changing  scene. 

True  to  its  determination,  the  Air  Corps  at  the  Chicago  Races,  between 
August  23rd ‘and  September  2nd,  restricted  itself  to  demonstrations  of  aerial 
military  maneuvers.  With  an  appreciation  of  the  present  character  of  the 
National  event,  the  Army  refrained  from  participation  In  all  contests,  leaving 
the  field  to  civilian  aircraft  and  personnel.  After  the  races  were  over,  no 
observer  could  fail  to  realize  the  wisdom  of  this  attitude. 

The  activities  cf  the  Air  Corps  proved  to  .be  precisely  what  they  should 
have  been  - a demonstration  of  Air  Corps  tactics,  flight  discipline  and  flying 
ability.  It  was  given  to  thousands  of  people  to  .see  for  the  first  time  how  far 
development  has  gone  in  construction,  maintenance,  and  operation  of  military 
aircraft  insofar  as  it  has  been  entrusted  bo  the  Army  Air  Corps.  That  this 
lesson  went  home  there  could  be  no  doubt. 

Under  competent  leadership,  every  formation  functioned  smoothly.  So  care- 
fully had  the  various  maneuvers  been  planned  that  it  was  hardly  ever  necessary 
for  the  spectators  in  the  stands  to  crane  their  necks  or  sunburn  their  tonsils 
to  see  what  was  going  on.  Particularly  was  this  true  of  the  Pursuit  Squadrons 
under  the  leadership  of  Captain  Victor  H.  Strahm  of  the  First  Pursuit  Group, 

Self ridge  Field,  Mich.  "Despite  the  altitude  he  found  it  necessary  to  maintain 
at  practically  all  times,  and  the  area  necessary  for  maneuvering  with  absolute 
safety  to  the  stands,  Captain  Strahm  managed  always  to  keep  his  formations 
within  sight  of  the  crowds.. 

The  Bombardment  Squadron,  also  for  the  sake  of  safety  to  spectators , found 
it  necessary  to  turn  in  an  excessively  wide  circle  when  changing  formation,  so 
that  at  times  it  was  almost  hidden  in  the  distance.  This  difficulty,  however, 
was  readily  bridged  by  Lieut.  Arthur  I.  Ennis,  of  the  Information  Division, 

Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corns,  who  described  the  maneuvers  over  the  public 
address  radio  system,  so  that  when  the  big  ships  returned  before  the  stands  the 
crowd  was  on  its  toes  to  see  whereof  they  had  heard. 

The  Bombers,  however,  succeeded  in  outdoing  themselves  one  day  of  the  Meet. 
Three  of  the  Keystones  were  sent  up  to  entertain  the  stands  - and  they  did.  Al- 
most out-pur  suiting  the  Pursuit,  they  loped  heavily  around  the  pylons  and  then 
reformed  to  immitate  the  snappy  tactics  which  Captain  Strahm*  s P-lrs  had  demon- 
strated just  before.  Their  success  delighted  the  crowd,  which  talked  about 
little  else  during  the  remainder  of  the  day. 

Chicago  turned  ou't  to  be  an  excellent  host.  Officers  of  the  Air  Corps  were 
quartered  at  the  Drake  Hotel,  on  Lake  Shore  Drive,  where  they  found,  the  manage- 
ment more  than  eager  to  make  life  pleasant  and  comfortable  for  them.  Invitations 
came  in  thick  and  fast  - so  thick  and  fast,  in  fact,  that  only  triplets  could 
have  filled  all  of  them.  Two  outstanding  events  were  the  banquet  of .the  National 
Aeronautic  Association,  at  which  all  officers  were  guests,  and  a dance  tendered 
all  military  pilots  by  the  Chicago  Race  Committee. 

All  Air  Corps  troops  and  activities  were  under  direct  command  of  Major 
Willis  A.  Hale,  of  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  who  arrived  several 
days  before  the  Meet  opened.  Lieut.  Ennis,  in  charge  of  public  relations,  also 
reached  Chicago  ahead  of  time  and  prepared  for  the  numerous  details  incident  to 
his  work. 


-258- 


V-5075,  A. C. 


The  first  troops  to  arrive  were  23'  enlisted  men  of  the  First  Pursuit 
Group  in  two  Ford  Transports  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Walter  E.  Richards. 

These  arrived  August  22nd  and  were  on  hand  when  the  P—11  s under  Captain  Strahm 
landed  the  following  day. 

The  Bombers,  all  L3-7's,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Henry  Pascale,  ar- 
rived also  on  the  23rd  from  Langley  Field,  Va. , carrying  the  commissioned  as 
well  as  the  enlisted  personnel.  Each  Bomber  carried  two  officers,  bringing  the 
officer  personnel  to  18  for  the  organization.  The  First  Pursuit  Group  brought 
23  planes,  bringing  the  total  number  of  officers  present  to  55,  with  the  addi- 
tion of  Major  Eugen  G.  Re inart z , who  flew  over  from  Wright  Field  to  act  as 
Flight  Surgeon. 

Later,  three  0-25* s from" Wright  Field,  fitted  up  with  neon  lights  under  the 
lower  wings,  flew  over  to  give  demcmstrat ions  of  lighted  night  flights,  and  an 
A-3  was  sent  from  Chanute  Field,  Rantoul,  111.,  to  broadcast  from  the  air.  With 
the  pilots  of  these  planes,  the  grand  total  of  officers  participating  was  raised 
to  59. 

An  interested  spectator  at  the  Races  was  Brigadier- General  Benjamin  D. 
Foulois,  Assistant  Chief  of  the. .Air  Corps,  who  with  Mrs.  Foulois  attended  every 
day.  During  his  stay  in  Chicago,  General  Foulois  was  an  honor  guest  at  the 
dedication  of  the  "Lindbergh  Beacon"  atop  the  Palmolive  on  upper  Michigan 
Avenue.  At  this  ceremony, he  represented  the  Air  Corps. 

A conflict  in  dates  with  the  Gordon- Bennett  In te relational  Balloon  Races, 
held  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,.  August  31st  and  September  1st,  caused  the  Air  Corps 
contingent  to  be  split  up  into  two  groups.  Six  Bombers  under  Captain  Pascale 
flew  to  Cleveland,  leaving  three  under  Captain  Frank:  D.  Hackett  to  finish  at 
Chicago.  Six  Pursuit  planes  were  also  sent  to  Cleveland,  where  they  were  met 
by  another  contingent  from  Self ridge  Field.  The  Pursuit  left  at  Chicago  was 
scheduled  to  fly  to  Bessemer,  Mich.,  to  assist  in  dedicating  the  new  airport 
at  that  place.  These  planes,  however,  were  held  over  one  day  by  bad  weather. 

"The  "Provisional"  Bombardment  Squadron  which  participated  at  Chicago  was 
happily  made  up  of  one  flight  from  each  of  the  three  Squadrons  of  the  Second 
Bombardment  Group.  Thus,  the  49th,  20th  and  86th  Squadrons  were  all  represent- 
ed. ..The  flights,  formed  in  the  order  given,  with  the  4Sth  acting  as  the  leading 
element.'  Likewise,  all  three  Squadrons  of  the  First  Pursuit  Group  - the  27th, 
17th  and  94th  - were  present,  although  the  eighteen  planes  which  actually 
carried  out  the  demonstrations  were  from  the  first  two  squadrons. 

Aside  from  its  scheduled  flights,  the  Air  Corps  performed  two  feats  which 
captured  the  imagination  of  the  crowds.  On  one  occasion,  in  anticipation  of 
the  heavy  traffic'  which  was  to  be  expected  over  a week  end,  two  officers  of  the 
Chicago  and  Cook  County  police  forces  were  taken  up  by  Captain  Hackett  in  a 
Bomber,  from  which  they  were  able  to  visualize  traffic  conditions  and  to  make 
provisions  for  mo.re  expeditious  handling  of  the  holiday  rush. 

At  another,  time,  an  engine  was  rushed,  from  Self  ridge  Field  by  air  and  in- 
stalled in  Captain  Strahm* s plane  with  such  efficiency  that  his  ship  was  not 
out  of  a single  scheduled  flight.  This  routine  bit  of  work  was  amazing  to  the 
layman  who  grasped  its  meaning  with  enthusiasm. 

If  the  crowds  could  have  looked  behind  the  scenes  during  a demonstration 
of  radio-controlled  maneuvers,  which  was  given  by  Maj or  Hale  on  the  ground  and 
Captain  Hackett  in  the  air,  they  would  have  marvelled  even  more  than  they  did. 
According, to  arrangement,  Captain  Hackett  was  able  to  take  the  air  at  the  head 
of’ his  squadron  and  maneuver  according  to  instruction  from  IVk-jor  Hale  on  the 
ground.  These  instructions  were  to  have  been  broadcast  over  a national  radio 
network,  from  which  the  radio  operator  in  Captain  Hackett *s  plane  would  pick 
them  up.  Overhead,  the  radio  plane  from  Wright  Field  was  to  tune  in  and  give 
a brief  description  of  the  flight  as  it  looked  from  above. 

Fortunately,  all  concerned  took  the  precaution  to  set  a definite  schedule 
and  to'  synchronize  their  watches.  After  Captain  Hackett  had  taken  off,  the  radio 
plane  had- climbed  into  position,  and  Major  Hale  had  taken  over  the  microphone  at 
the  announcer's  stand,  the  network  failed  to  come  on.  Undaunted  by  this  unex- 
pected turn  of  affairs,  Major  Hale  issued  his  instructions  by  the  watch.  Captain 
Hackett  followed  them  without  a hitch  by  the  watch,  and  the  radio  plane  tuned  in 
at  precisely  the  right  time,  also  by  the  watch.  When  the  broadcasting  system 
finally  came  to  life,  six  minutes  late,  the  demonstration  had  practically  been 
concluded  with  entire  success. 

All  in  all,  the  performance  of  the  Air  Corns  looks  great  in  retrospect. 

And,  judging  by  expressions  of  the  people  of  Chicago,  both  orally  and  in  the 

-259-  V-S075.A.C. 


newspapers , the  Air  Corps  flew  out  of  the  1930  National- Air 'Races  "oicture , 
leaving  behind  a feeling  of  the  greatest  good  will  and  the  cor die.l  hope  that 
it  may  return  again  some. -time,  . .. 

0O0 — 

^ .GENERAL  FHiTT  mcO^  -Tb ; • ‘ ‘ ? 

; .....  Ity  the  News  Letter  Correspondent  ; 

..August  first  saw  the  Materiel  Division,  Wright  Field,  under  the  direction 
of  ;.a, new  chief  - Brigadier- General  HArry  Conger  Pratt.  '-He  arrived  in  Dayton' 
on  .July  31st  from  an"  Hawaiian  assignment.,  a formation-  of-'  - six  - plknes-- roaring' ti 
welcome  above  as  he  and  Mrs,  Pratt  stepped  from  the  train.  A number  - of  •Wright 
Field  officers  were  . on  hand  to  extend  greetings,  also  a numher ' of  reporters  and 
photographers  to  mark  the  coming  as  important  in  their  various  journals* 

It  was  not  General  Pratt *'s'.  introduction  to "Dayton.'  He  had  been  here  sev- 
eral times,  notably  as'  Commander  of  the"  ;ELue  Army  during  the  Air  Cons  Maneuvers 
almost  two  years  ago,  Iiis  Air  Corps;  career  lias'  also'  included  the  commands  of 
Kelly  and  Mitchel  Pi  elds , an  assignment  as  Air.  Officer  of  the  Eighth  Corps,  Area, 
Chief  of  the  War  Plans  Division  of  the  Office,  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  'and 
Air  Officer  of  the  Hawaiian  Department,  He  appears  on  the'1  General  Staff  Corps 
Eligible  List  and  is  a' graduate  of  the  Army  War  College,-  the  -General  'Staff 
School,  the  School  of  the.  Line  and  the  Bombardment  School.1  He  holds  the  rating 
•of  Airplane  Pilot.  • • 

Broad  as  General  Prattrs  experience  has  been,  however,  this  is  the  first 
time-  he'  pas  had  the.  -direction  of  an.  experimental  and  engineering  station  of  the 
.scope;  of,  Wright  Field,  ' and  he  expressed  himself  sis  enthusiastic  Pbout  forward- 
ing its  aims  and  development  to  achieve  eVeh  greater  usefulness  than  it  has 
achieved  in  the  past.  . 

Hie  Hews  Letter  Correspondent  expressed  the  hope-  that  General  and  Mrs. 

Pratt  will  find  their  residence  in  Dayton  both  pleasant  and  successful. 

oOq-r-  

' . HOT  FLYERS  STUDY  ARIAMENT  'EQUIPMENT  AT  ’WRIGHT  FIELD  • 

Hie  Air  Cores  Engineering  School  at  Wright ' Field,  Dayton , ‘ Ohio , has  three 
new  students  in  Lieut s.  J.3.  Sykes,  'S.B."  Moore  aiid  ;W.G.  Switzer,  U»S,'  Navy,  who 
are  at  Wright  Field,  for  approximately  one  month  to  "study  methods  of  armament 
equipment.  These  officers  completed1 a two-year  post- graduate  course  at 
Annapolis,  and  are  on  a tour  of  different  stations  and  factories  concerned  with 
armament  to, study  the  'subject  further  and  make  observations. 

- — 0O0 — - 

FIVE  ARMY  AXEMEN  FROM  PANAMA  VISIT  WRIGHT  FIELD 

Two  ,.02-H  Observation  planes  and  one  P-12B  Pursuit  planes  from  France  Field, 
Panama,.  Canal  Zone,  recently  landed  at  Wright  Field,  Day t Oh,  Ohio,  Lieut.  D.F. 
Fritch  .piloting  the  Euysuit.ship  and  Lieut  s'.  John  M.  Davies-, - D.W-.  Buclxnan, 

C.W . .Lawrence  and'A.Y.  Smith  taking  turns  at  piloting  the  Observation  planes. 
These  airmen  were  on  their  way  to  participate  in  the  Animal  Aerial' ‘Gunnery  and 
Bombing  Matches  at  Langley  Field;  Va.  They' visited  friends  at  Wright  Field 
while  their  planes  were  being  serviced  and  then  departed  for  the  scene  of  the 
Competition  to  match  their  skill  in  hitting  targets' against  the  participants 
from  other  Air  . Corps  stations. 


•NEW  COAT  OF  'ARMS  FOR  HIE' ELEVENTH  .'SCHOOL  GROUP 

Irooks'  Field  shortly  will  display  its  attractive  new  Coat  of  Arms,  recent- 
ly approved  for  the  11th  School  Group-' 'by  the  War  Department.  The  insignia, 
quite  distinctive,  in  the  form  of  a gold  shield,  bearing  blue  pile,  charged 
with  a winged  torch  - symbolic  of  the  development  of  inherent  flying  ability  - 
will  bear  also  a motto  - "Audacia  Scientia,"  meaning  "Boldness  - Skill,"  approv- 
ed at  the  came  time.  ' ' ' ... 

The  11th  School  Group  was  first  organized  in  1922-23,  and  again  in  1927, 
the  last  organization  being  the  present  status  of  the  Group . The  newly  approved 
Coat  of  Arms , however,  will  be  the  first  in  its  possession. 

-25®- 


V-6075,  A.C. 


A FRIEiTDLY  SET-TO  ON  THE  PACIFIC  COAST 

The  " Black”  sea  forces,  consisting  of  the  Wavy's  crack  battle  fleet, three 
airplane  carriers  with  their  hordes  of  Pursuit  and  Attack  planes,  were  attack- 
ing San  Francisco.  All  was  hurry  and  hustle  at  the  "Blue"  Headquarters,  lo- 
cated at  Port  Winfield  Scott,  where  the  "Blue”  air  forces  and  artillery  were 
being  directed.  Orders  were  issued  at  2:00  p.m,  that  the  91st  Observation 
Squadron  of  Crissy  Eield,  with  20  Observation  planes,  would  keep  a constant 
reconnaissance  stretching  150  miles  Worth,  a like}  .'distance  South,  and  as  far  to 
sea  as  safety  would  permit  (about  20  miles)  cruising  at  an  altitude  of  approxi- 
mately 15,000  feet,  keeping  on  the  lookout  for  "enemy"  aircraft  and  vessels. 

At  2x20  p.m.,  a radio  was  received  from  one  of  the  Observation  planes  that 
the  airplane  carriers  had" been  sighted  in  Monterey  Eay,  and  were  discharging 
their  planes.  Immediately  all  of  the  "Blue"  airdromes  were  vacated  as  a 
measure  of  defense  to  frustrate  their  attack,  while  the  Eleventh  Bombardment 
Squadron  was  dispatched  from  Mills  Eield,  their  temporary  base,  to  find  the 
unprotected  fleet  and  destroy  it. 

All  night  the  vigil  was  kept  up,  planes  taking  off  at  one  hour  intervals. 

At  dawn  the  Wavy  planes  attacked  San  Francisco  and  were  met  and  engaged  by  the 
defending  planes.  It  was  a never  to  be  forgotten  sight  to  see  the  early  morn- 
ing sky  filled  with  200  fighting  planes,  consisting  of  every  type  the  Service 
possesses. 

At  11x30,  the  planes  from  Crissy  Field  located  the  Carriers  about  30  miles' 
Worthwest  of  the  Earralone  Islands,  and  at  2:00  p.m.,  the  Wavy  made  their  last 
attack. 

Peace  was  then  declared  and  the  friendly  ships  steamed  into  the  harbor. 

■ — oOo 

JDIIET  WELCOMES  KAWSAS  CITY  FLYERS 

Sunday,  September  7th,  might  well  have  been  Kansas.  City  Day  at  the  Dedica- 
tion of  the  new  Municipal  Airport  at  Joliet,  111.  It  seemed  that  every  five 
minutes  the  name  "Kansas  City"  was  heard  over  the  splendid  loud  speaking  system 
that  had  been  installed  at  the  Airport.  It.  was  "The  Army  flyers  from  Kansas 
City  this",  and  will  "Captain  Bill  Wright  of  Kansas  City  step  to  the  micro- 
phone." To  listen  to  the  spectators  talk  one  might  think  that  the  center  of 
Army  flying  in  the  United  States  was  at  Kansas  City. 

The  trip  from  Kansas  City,  which  was  made  by  seven  PT  type  Training  planes 
and  one  service  type,  an  0-11,  was  another  tribute  to  the  splendid  accomplish- 
ments of  Captain  Bill  Wright  in  directing  Reserve  officer  cross-country  flying. 
As  a matter  of  fact,  the  Reserve  Unit  at  Kansas  City  is  piling  up  a remarkable 
record  of  flying  hours  that  is  causing  high  officials  at  Washington  to  take 
notice. 

Saturday  morning,  September  6th,  the  formation  took  off  from  the  Kansas 
City  Airport , led  as  usual  by  Captain  Wright  in  his  0-11 . Wot  quite  two  hours 
later,  the  ships  roared  over  Kiricsville,  Mo.,  bringing  hundreds  of  cars  scurry- 
ing out  from  the  town.  A few  hours'  holiday  was  declared  so  that  the  populace 
could  come  out  and  see  the  famous  Reserve  flying  unit  from  Kansas  City. 

Another  hour  and  a half  of  flying  brought  the  Squadron  to  Monmouth,  111. , 
where  the  bunch  went  on  a strike  for  some  grub.  The  saying  is  that  an  army 
marches  on  its  stomach,  and  it  is  certainly  true  that  the  Air  Corps  flies  on  its 
food,  especially  the  Kansas  City  boys.  Close  to  Joliet,  on  the  last  leg,  some 
rather  thick  weather  was  encountered.  This,  however,  did  not  daunt  the  local 
aces,  who  poked  the  noses  of  their  sturdy  ships  into  the  muck  like  veterans,  and 
presently  set  their  ships  down  on  the  splendid  new  Airport  at  Joliet.  A great 
welcoming  roar  burst  from  the  throats  of  the  30,000  people  assembled  for  the 
dedication  exercises  as  the  Kansas  City  Squadron  flew  low  across  the  field. 

Ill  addition  to  Captain  Wright,  the  following  officers  and  enlisted  men 
made  the  trip:  Major  John  P.  Beeson,  Captain  W.P.  "Hank"  Ford,  Captain  George 
W.  "Bud"  Powell,  Lieutenants  Homer  L.  Bredouw,  Bob  Burtt,  Cam  Reed,  Lynn  C. 
Shepherd,  John  M.  Cross,  Robert  L.  Horsley,  David  R.  Boylan,  L.H.  Ottofy,  Pvts. 
Allan  Smiley,  George  Young,  Clarence  M.  Parks,  Kelsey  Chandler.  . 

Wo  one  guessed  that  the  Squadron  harbored  a movie  star,  in  its  midst  until 
one  of  the  waitresses  at  the  Woodruff  Hotel  came  up  to  Bredouw,  Kansas  City's 
own  "Homah, " and  stated  that  she  had  been  delegated  by  some  .of  the  other  girls 
to  inquire  whether  or  not  he  hadn't  done  a lot  of  daredevil  flying  for  screen- 
land,  especially  in  the  "Dawn  Patrol."  Inasmuch  as  several  of  the  crowd  were  at 

-261-  V-6075,  A. C. 


the  table  at  the  time , he  had  to  deny  any  such  pleasant  notoriety. 

Perhaps  encouraged  by  such  optimistic  impressions,  Bredouw  offered  to  do  a 
couple  of  loops  in  a PT  without  power  that  afternoon.  Captain  Wright  made  the 
announcement  over  the  microphone  and  then  "Homah"  proceeded  to  do  his  stuff  for 
the  edification  of  the  multitude.  On  coming  down  he  explained  that  the  sten- 
torian roar  that  was  heard  when  the  PT  nosed  up  for  the  loop  was  caused  by  the 
prop.  Such  may  have  been  the  case,  but  anyway  the  incident  caused  a heated  ar- 
gument among  the  boys  as  to  how  far  a PT  would  have  to  be  dived  without  power 
to  loop  it. 

Joliet  may  well  be  proud  of  its  splendid  new  municipal  airport.  It  is  a 
half  mile  in  each  direction  and  almost  as  level  as  a billiard  table . There  is 
little  doubt  that  it  will  get.  a great  amount  of  through  East  and  West  flying 
where  in  many  cases  there  will  be  a tendency  to  avoid  the  congested  Chicago- 
metropolitan  area. 

On  Sunday,  September  7th,  in  addition  to  individual  exhibitions , the  entire 
squadron  flew  formation  for  an  hour  over  the  city  and  the  airport . Listening 
to  ground  comments  the  impression  was  gained  that  the  Army  flyers  present  rep- 
resented some  crack  Army  unit,  so  evidently  the  Reserve  boys  haven’t  lost  much 
of  their  touch.  There  isn’t  much  danger  that  they  will,  either,  judging  by  the 
amount  of  flying  they  are  putting  in. 

The  return  trip  was  made  by  way  of  Chanute  Field,  Eantoul,  111.;  Springfield 
111.;  and  Columbia,  Mo.  Some  really  rastipedious  (Webster  hasn’t  heard  that 
word)  weather  was  encountered  on  the  last  two  legs,  especially  down  in  the  hills 
along  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers.  But,  thanks  to  railroad  tracks  and 
other  such  modern  aids  to  cross-country  flying,  all  the  ships,  although  scatter- 
ed, came  through  in  great  shape,. 

The  crack  Reserve  unit  from  Kansas  City  is  building  up  an  enviable  reputa- 
tion all  through  the  Middle  West.  More,  requests  for  their  participation  in 
air  meets  and  airport,  dedications  are  received  than  can  be  granted.  The  large 
amount  of  flying  done  is  building  up  a great  measure  of  confidence  in  the  air, 
and  the  prestige  of  the  squadron-  is  developing  a fine  esprit  de  corps. 

oQo- — ~ 

FRANCE  FIELD  AIRMAN  PERFORMS  RESCUE  MISSION 

Ever  since  the  Army  Air  Corps  was  stationed  in  the  Panama  Canal  Zone , its 
personnel  at  various  times  have  -performed  errands  of  mercy  through  the  transpor- 
tation to  hospitals  either  in  Colon  or  Panama  of  sick  or  wounded  persons  from 
localities  in  the  interior  of  the  Republic  far  removed  from  adequate  hospitaliza- 
tion facilities. 

A recent  mission  of  this. nature,  and  which  probably  resulted  in  saving  the 
life  of  a civilian  stricken  ill  some  200  miles  "up  country"  from  France  Field, 
was  performed  by  2nd  Lieut.  Donald  W.  Packman,.  Air  Corps,  in  a Douglas  02-H  Ob- 
servation plane.  A call  for  help  was  received  from  Tole,  Republic  de  Panama, 
where  Mr.  R.R.  Benson  lay  seriously  ill  awaiting  transportation  to  the  Gorgas 
Hospital  at  Ancon.  The  trip  was  successfully  made,  and  Mr.  Benson  arrived  at 
the  hospital  ss.fely. 

0O0 — • 

FIREFLIES  ILLUMINATE  SKf  OYER  CHICAGO 

Daring  the  National  Air  Races,  recently  concluded  at  Chicago,  111.,  Lieuts, 
Clements  McMullen ,'  S.S.  Prudhomme  and  S.R.  Harris,  Jr.,  stationed  at  Wright 
Field,  Dayton,  Ohio , put  on  . exhibit ions of  night  flying  with  brilliantly  light- 
ed planes , such  performances  having  been  given  several  times  with  marked  success 
in  previous  air  maneuvers.  Flying  in  formation  in  these  night  maneuvers,  they 
have  won  the  title  of  "Fireflies." 

The  "Fireflies"  returned  to  Wright  Field  softer  the  night  performance  on 
September  1st,  leaving  Chicago  at  about  8:30  p.m.  They  illuminated  the  planes 
over  the  cities  and  sma.ll  towns  enroute,  arousing  much  interest  and  comment. 

They  landed  at  the  home  field  about  11:30  p.m.  Messrs.  William  Penn,  L.H. 
Sibilsky  and  Joe  Brocado,  all  of  Wright  Field,  accompanied  them. 

Captain  St.  Clair  Streett,  Lieutenants  D.L.  Bruner,  C.L.  Ridenour,  an&.H.P. 
Rush  were  also  authorized  visitors  to  the  Air  Races  as  observers  and  inspectors 
from  VTright  Field. 


-262- 


V-6075.A.C. 


AIRMEN  RESCUED  BY  SUBMARINE  CREW 


All  sorts  of  strange  incidents  occur  in  the  adventurous  career  of  airmen. 
Eor  an  air  traveler  to  he  rescued  by  an  under' water- navigator  is  a real  hit 
of  news.  Incidentally,  the  first  air  ride  of  Major  Eorrest  R.  Ostrander, 
Medical  Department,  stationed  at  the  Gorgas  Hospital  in  the  Panama  Canal  Zone, 
was  not  exactly  a pleasant  experience,  for  it  also  marked  the  first  crash  in 
which  he  was  a participant.  Major  Ostrander  may  smile  at  the  incident’ now, 
hut  at  the  time  it  happened  it  seemed  wrought  with  more  tragedy  than  comedy. 

A Douglas'  0-2,  a dead  engine,  nothing  hut  water  helow  and,  luckily,  a subma- 
rine cruising  nearby  were  the  main  factors  which  played  important  parts  in  his 
experience . 

Lieut.  James  H.  Bevans,  Air  Corps,  took  off  from  Prance  Pield  with  Major 
Ostrander  as  a passenger.  While  over  the  hay  off  Coco  Solo,  the  engine  went 
dead  and  resisted  all  efforts  to  start  it.  Realizing  that  land  could  not  he 
reached,  Lieut.  Bevans  put  the  plane  down  as  close  as  possible  to  a U.S.  Sub- 
marine which  was  cruising  near  the  breakwater.  No  injuries  were  received  by 
either  Major  Ostrander  or  Lieut.  Bevans,  and  a rope  thrown  from  the  submarine 
was  all  that  was  needed  to  complete  the  rescue,  although  the  plane  went  to  the 
bottom.  After  changing  into  dry  clothing,  both  passenger  and  pilot  hopped 
off  for  a second  and  more  successful  trip. 

— — 0O0— — 

HIGH  ALTITUDE  AND  BLIND  FLYING 

Major  H.  F.  Pierce,  a Reserve  officer  in  the  Medical  Corps,  who  is  on 
active  duty  at  Brooks  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  in  the  School  of  Aviation 
Medicine,  recently  visited  Kelly  Field  and  made  a blind  flight  with  Lieut. 

L.  J.  Carr.  After  the  flight  he  said; 

"The  time  will  come  when  student  aviators  will  be  taught  instrument 
flying  immediately  after  they  are  taught  to  take  off  and  land,  so  that 
they  can  find  their  way  safely  bade  to  their  field  if  they  are  ever 
caught  in  a fog  or  other  unfavorable  conditions." 

Major  Pierce  is  an  associate  professor  at  Johns  Hopkins  University  and 
has  specialized  in  a study  of  the  physiological  aspects  of  flying  since  1917. 

At  the  instigation  of  the  School  of  Aviation  Medicine,  and  under  the 
direction  of  Major  Pierce,  an  altitude  flight  was  made  at  Kelly  Field  on 
August  29th  without  oxygen  and  one  on  the  following  day  with  oxygen,  in 
order  to  determine  the  effect  of  altitude  upon  personnel.  Lieut.  O.P.Weyland 
was  the  pilot  and  Lieut.  C.I.  Ferris  the  observer  in  both  flights.  In  these 
flights  they  reached  an  altitude  of  18,000  feet  in  one  hour  and  35  minutes, 
and  remained  at  that  altitude  for  one  hour.  During  this  time  the  Observer 
performed  certain  experiments  and  recorded  their  effect  upon  himself.  The 
descent  was  made  in  ten  minutes.  The  School  of  Aviation  Medicine  is  studying 
the  results. 

— *o0o 

BOSTON  AVIATORS  BID  FAREWELL  TO  CAPTAIN  FORD  AND  LIEUT.  GEER 

Reserve  officers  and  a number  of  officers  from  the  Massachusetts  National 
Guard  unit  participated  in  a farewell  dinner  to  Captain  Christopher  ¥.  Ford 
and  Lieut.  George  R.  Geer,  on  the  evening  of  August  28th.  Both  of  these  offi- 
cers, who  received  orders  assigning  them  to  duty  in  Texas,  have  won  wide  popu- 
larity amongst  the  flying  personnel  of  .the  First  Corps  Area,  and  their  trans- 
fers are  the  occasion  of  much  regret  at  the  Boston  Airport. 

Captain  Ford  in  particular,  because  of  the  length  of  his  stay  in  Be 'ton 
and  on  account  of  the  number  of  executive  positions  which  he  has  held  dp  ing 
this  stay,  has  established  many  close  acquaintances;  The  local  Reserve  per- 
sonnel feel  that  he  has  accomplished  wonders  in  furthering  their  interests, 
and  that  the  excellent  cooperation  which  he  has  received  from  Lieut.  Geer  dur- 
ing the  latter's  all  too  brief  stay  in  Boston,  has  resulted  in  a standard  of 
efficiency  which  is  to  be  highly  commended. 

Furing  the  course  of  the  dinner,  Captain  George  W.  McEntire  and  Major 
Claude  U.  Cummings  represented  the  Regular  Army  personnel  in  extending  fare- 
well to  "Chris."  and  "Dick."  As  a token  of  the  regard  in  which  these  two 
officers  are  held,  gifts  were  presented  from  the  Reserve  officers  and  the 

-263  - 7-6075,  A.C. 


National  Guard,  group. 

General  Preston  Broun  participated,  in  the  evening's  activities  "by  sending 
his  greetings  from  Washington,  and  confirmed  by  the  character  of  his  remarks 
the  judgment  of  the  local  officers  as  to  the  excellence  of  the  work  which 
Cawtain  Ford  has  done,  especially  during  his  command  of  the  Boston  Airport. 

o0o~ — 

TEXAS  NATIONAL  GUARD. FLYERS  SPEND  TWO  WEEKS  IN  CAMP 

The  36th  Division  Aviation,  Texas  National  Guard,  composed  of  the  111th 
Observation  Scruadron,  111th  Photo  Section  and  the  Medical  Department  Detach- 
ment, with  a strength  of  18  officers  and  71  enlisted  men,  went  into  camp  on 
August  2nd  at  Camp  Palacios,  Texas,  for  the  Annual  Field  Training  period. 

This  camp,  one  of  the  best  located  and  equipped  of  any  of  the  National  Guard 
camps,  is  lo'cated  about  100  miles  southeast  of  Houston,  Texas , on  Tres  Palacios 
Bay,  near  the  town  of  Palacios.  Facilities  are  available  there  for  the  train- 
ing of  all  the  units  of  the  36th  Division  at  one  time,  permitting  maneuvers  of 
all  arms  in  cooperation. 

The  nine  planes  of  this  organization,  five  02-H' s , one  BT-1,  two  0~17's, 
one  PT-1  and  one  Regular  Army  ship,  were  flown  to  the  camp  by  the  pilots  to 
which  they  were  assigned,  carrying  with  them  all  of  the  officer  personnel  ex- 
cept one  in.  charge  of  the  Squadron  enlisted  personnel  which  were  transported 
to  the  camp  by  rail. 

Through  the  efforts  of  Major  Walter  H.  Reid,  the  Squadron  Commander,  the 
quarters  of  the  Squadron  were  made  about  as  comfortable  as  could  be  possible 
under  field  conditions.  A permanent  wooden  office  building  has  been  provided, 
storerooms,  officers'  mess  building,  enlisted  mess,  toilets,  showers,  and  con- 
crete flooring  throughout  not  only  for  buildings  but  for  all  tents  for 
officers  and  enlisted  men. 

Operations  during  the  camp  period  started  with  formation  flying  during 
the  first  day  to  familiarize  all  pilots  with  the  surrounding  country.  As  soon 
as  this  was  completed,  a schedule  of  intensive  training  in  the  various  phases 
of  observation  aviation  was  put  into  effect.  All  pilots  completed  practice 
and  record  courses  in  gunnery  and  obtained  practice  in  the  use  of  rear  guns. 
Observers  were  required  to  complete  courses  in  the  use  of  flexible  guns. 

Quite  a satisfactory  number  of  both  pilots  and  observers  were  found  to  be 
proficient  in  this  work. 

While  the  gunnery  courses  were  being  carried  on,  the  111th  Photo  Section, 
under  the  command  of  1st  Lieut.  Joe  0.  Edge,  prepared  a mosaic  map  of  the 
terrain  north  of  the  camp  site  , embracing  an  area  of  approximately  thirty 
square  miles.  This  map  was  used  in  the  Division  maneuvers  which • occupied  the 
last  week  of  training  and  in  which  the  Squadron  as  a whole  carried  out  Infantry 
liaison,  artillery  observation,  command  and  night  reconnaissance  missions  in 
cooperation  with  troops  of  the  Division.  -Night  flying,  both  formation  and 
bombing,  was  carried  out  each  night  of  the  camp  except  those  set  aside  for 
classes.  Operations  were  under  the  supervision  of  Captain  William  K.  Ennis. 

A total  of  approximately  350  flying  hours  was  accumulated,  a large  part 
of  which  was  night  flying.  Nine  pilots  underwent  this  training,  seven  of  whom 
were  qualified  to  fly  service  type  ships. 

D:  ring  the  camp,  the  Lone  Star  State  National  Guard  airmen  had  the  pleas- 
ure of  being  visited  by  Major-General  William  G.  Everson,  Chief  of  the  Militia 
Bureau . Captain  Ennis,  piloting  the  BT-1,  pi  deed  the  General  up  at  Biloxi, 
Miss.,  at  7:15  a.m. , August  11th,  and  proceeded  directly  to  Palacios,  arriving 
at  12:30  noon.  A stop  was  made  at  Houston  enroute.  General  Everson  reviewed 
the  Division  in  the  afternoon,  and  at  6:30  a.m.  the  following  day  left 
Palacios  for  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  Lieut.  Showalter  piloting  the  BT-1. 

August  16th  finally  rolled  around,  and  the  war  was  over  for  another  year. 
Everything  was  packed  up,  the  enlisted  personnel  loaded  on  the  train  and  the 
ships  warmed  up  for  the  return  to  Houston.  At  2:30  p.m. , the  train  pulled 
out,  followed  immediately  by  the  ten  shins.. 

Upon  their  return  to  Houston  the  men  were  pleasantly  surprised  to  hear  that 
the  36th  Division  Aviation  had  won  second  place  in  a contest  held  within  the 
Division,  based  on  the  final  rating  received  during  the  Annual  A.rmory  Inspec- 
tion of  1930  (Federal).  As  a result  of  this  rating  the  aviation  unit  was 
awarded  a prize  given  by  the  Adjutant  General  of  Texas,  consisting  of  68  steel 
lockers.  These  lockers  have  been  received  and  are  already  in  service. 

-264-  V-6075,A. C. 


DISTINGUISHED  FLYING  CROSSES  AWARDED  AIR  CORPS  PERSONNEL 

Announcement  has  just  been  ms.de  by  the  far  Department  of  the  award  of 
Distinguished  Flying  Crosses  to  Captain  Ulysses  G.  Jones,  1st  Lieutenant 
Walter  T.  Meyer,  2nd  Lieutenant  Edwin  W.  Rawlings  and  Staff  Sergeant  Robert  F, 
Summers,  Air  Corps,  for  heroism  while  participating  in  an  aerial  flight  from 
Luke  Field,  Territory  of  Hawaii,  to  Hilo,  Island  of  Hawaii,  on  May  14,  1930. 

The  circumstances  connected  with  the  above  flight .which  led  the  War  De- 
partment to  thus  recognize  the  meritorious  conduct  of  these  four  men,  are  de- 
scribed in  a communication  received  from  Lieut.  Meyer,  who  was  on  duty  as 
radio  operator  on  this  occasion,  and  which  reads  as  follows: 

"On  the  morning  of  Wednesday,  May  14,  1930,  I wa s a member  of  an  Inter*- 
Island  Flight  from  Luke  Field,  Oahu,  T.H. ,.  to  Hilo,  Hawaii.  This  flight  was 
composed  of  nine  DH  planes,  four  Keystone  LB-5A  Bombers  and  three  Loening 
Amphibian  planes.  The  planes  departed  from  Luke  Field  at  8:30  a.m.  I was  in 
the  leading  Amphibian  plane  as  radio  operator  of  the  flight,  with  Lieut.  U.G. 
Jones,  piloting.  Lieut.  Lowe,  piloting’ one  of  the  Amphibian  planes,  was  equip- 
ped for  photographic  work,  and  was  to  take  pictures  of  the  Airport  on  Maui  and 
Upolu  Point.  In  addition,  to  this  flight,  there  was  a flight  of  24  Pursuit 
planes  from  Wheeler  Field,  escorted  by  the  Fokker  Transport.  There  were  also 
two.  Navy  PD  Patrol  planes  which  were  to  guard  the  channel  and  act  as  rescue 
-planes  in  case  of  forced  landing  in  the  water. 

As  the  flight  departed  from  the  Island  of  Oahu,  the  nine  DH’s  kept  over- 
land to  Makupuu  Point,  thence  directly  across  the  channel  to  Molokai,  along 
the  shore  of  Molokai  and  across  to  Maui.  They  were  apparently  making  better 
time  than  the  Bombers.  Our  instructions  in  the  Amphibian  flight  were  to  guide 
on  the  Eombers.  Lieut.  Lowe  was  to  take  pictures  on  Maui  and  at  Upolu  Point. 

We  were  to  circle  about  over  him.  The  flight  of  four  LB-5A  Bombers  flew  a 
straight  course  towards  Upolu  Point,  passing  slightly  to  the  west  of  the  Island 
of  Lanai  and  Kahoolawe. 

As  Radio  Officer  of  the  flight,  it  was  my  duty,  as  on  all  -previous  flights, 
to  re-port  our  position  every  ten  minutes  to  Luke  Field,  using  the  Naval  Opera- 
tions Chart.  I was  working  Luke  Field  on  a frequency  of  750  kilocycles.  The 
Fokker  Transport  plane,  escorting  the  Pursuit  planes,  also  worked  on  the  same 
frequency.  We  operated  as  a,  controlled  net,  Luke  Field  calling  the  Amphibian 
plane  and  the  Fokker  alternately,  the  Fokker  on  the  even  ten  minutes  and  the 
Amphibian  plane  on  the  odd  ten  minutes.  The  Navy.  PD-1  Patrol  planes  were  work- 
ing the  Naval  Air  Station  on  a frequency  of  545  kilocycles. 

As  we  passed  over  the  Island  of  Lanai,  at  an  altitude  of  approximately 
6,000  feet,  Lieut.  Lowe  left  our  formation  and  headed  towards  Maui,  to  take  his 
pictures.  The  Bombing  planes  were  on  our  right  to  the  west  of  us.  We  passed 
over  the  southwestern  point  of  Kahoolawe  at  about  11:00  a.m.  At  this  time  the 
operator  at  Luke  Field  informed  me  that  the  formation  of  24  Pursuit  planes  and 
the  Fokker  had  landed  safely  on  Maui.  The  formation  of  nine  DH  planes  were  so  J 
far  ahead  of  us  that  they  had  disappeared  out  of  sight,  near  Upolu  Point.  The 
■two  Navy  Patrol  planes  were  escorting  the  DH* s and  were  also  out  of  sight.  We 
stayed  near  the  Bombers. 

As  we  passed  over  Kahoolawe,  the  Bombers  passed  over  us  and  were  to  our 
left  and  slightly  to  the  rear  of  us.  I gave  our  position  report  at  11:05  a.m., 
as  position  9421.  I then  took  my  amateur  movie  camera  and  took  a picture  of 
Lieut.  Rawlings*  Anphibian  plane  flying  in  formation  with  us  on  our  left,  the 
four  Bombing  plane s appearing  in  the  background,  t then  signalled  Lieut. 

'.Rawlings  to  move  up  directly  off  our  left  wing  and  took  another  picture  of  his 
plane  with  Haleakaia  in  the  background.  I then  put  my  camera  away  in  ' its  case 
and  looked  up  on  my  map  to  figure  what  our  position  would  be  when  I would  give 
our  report,  at  11:15  a.m.  While  I was  looking  at  the  map  and  I had  figured  that 
we  would  be  at  position  9430  in  approximately  five  minutes,  Lieut.  Jones  banked 
the  ship  sharply  to  the  left,  signalled  with  his  left  arm  and  yelled  "look 
there."  Thinking  there  was  something  wrong  with  Lieut.  Rawlings’  plane,  I 
looked  in  that  direction  and  back  of  us  and  to  the  left  and  about  our  same  level,  I 
which  was  axrproximateiy . 4500  feet,  I saw  three  parachutes  deployed  in  the  air 
.all  in  a line,  one  slightly  below  the  others.  Beyond  them  I saw  the  last  plane 
of.  the  LB-5A  formation,  which  had  been  flying,  a diamond  formation,  going  straight  1 
down  in  a vertical  nose  dive.  The  other  three  -planes  in  a "T"  formation  con- 
tinued straight  on.  They  a-pxoarently  at  this  time  had  not  noticed  that  the  last 
plane,  had  fallen  out  of  their  formation.  When  I noticed  the  three  -parachutes  in 

-265-  V-6075,  AC. 


the  air  and  looked  towards  the  Bomber,  I saw  a parachute  open  out  from  the 
rear  cockpit  of  the  Eoruher  and  go  back  towards  the  tail  group  where  it  seemed 
to  tangle  and  collapse. 

During  this  time  re  were  spiralling  around  the  three  -parachutes  in  the 
air.  I had  switched  my  radio  set  on  to  "transmit"  and  was  sending  out  S.O.S. 
After  sending  S.O.S.  about  sir:  or  eight  times,  I sent  the  following  message: 

"Bomber  plane  falling  into  the  sea,  three  men  jumped  in  chutes  position 
8430  we  G-.L.  (going  to  land)  V.A."  (end  of  communication) 

I then  started  reeling  in  the  antennae,  all  the  while  keeping  my  eyes  on 
these  three  parachutes.  At  about  this  time,  or  when  I finished  sending  my 
message,  I heard  the  crash  of  the  plane  hit  the  water.  While  spiralling  around 
the  parachutes,  we  passed  over  this  spot  once.  I noticed  a few  bits  of  wreck- 
age on  the  surface  of  the  water,  which  appeared  to  be  boiling  and  bubbling  like 
a kettle  of  water  with  oil  mixed  in  with  it.  This  spot  was  approximately  500 
feet  in  diameter.  It  appeared  to  be  Just  a greasy  spot  on  the  surface  of  the 
ocean. 

Lieut.  Rawlings  landed  his  Amphibian  plane  just  ahead  of  us,  alongside  of 
Lieut.  Boyd,  but  drifted  away  from  him.  We  landed  shortly  to  the  lee  of  the 
men  and  crossways  to  the  wind  and  parallel  to  the  waves.  We  hit  the  top  of  one 
wave  and  bounced  about  twenty  foet  in  the  air  where  we  stalled  and  -pancaked 
down  onto  the  top  of  another  wave.  We  then  bounced  off  of  it  onto  the  forward 
slope  of  the  next  wave,  where  we  stayed  and  plowed  through  the  top  of  the  wave, 
a sheet  of  spray  coming  over  the  cowling  and  drenching  us.  Prior  to  the  land- 
ing, I had  unfastened  my  belt  and  taken  off  my  parachute  and  was  standing  up 
in  the  rear  cockpit,  holding  to  the  cowling.  I consider  that  Lieut.  Jones  made 
an  excellent  landing,  such  as  it  was.  Wo  man  could  make  a decent  landing  in 
that  rough  sea  and  I thought  we  were  very  fortunate  that  we  didn't  crack  up 
when  we  landed. 

I saw  a man  slightly  in  front  of  us  and  off  our ‘right  wing,  whom  I later 
knew  to.  be  Sergeant  Alexander.  I climbed  out  of  the  cockpit  and  onto  the  right 
lower  wing  and  worked  my  way  out  to  the  tip  of  the  wing,  where  kneeling  down 
and  hooking  my  left  leg  around  the  strut  where  it  Joins  with  the  wing,  I reach- 
ed out  my  right  hand,  grabbed  Sergeant  Alexander  'by  the  wrist  and  pulled  him 
towards  me.  He  seemed  to  be  all  in  and  helpless.  I -put  his  hand  around  the 
base  of  the  strut  and  got  his  rnght  leg  up  on  the  leading  edge  of  the  wing. 

Then  with  both  hands  I grabbed  hold. of  his  parachute  harness  on  his  back  and 
tried  to  pull  him  up  on  the  wing  with  me,  but  due  to  the  roughness  of  the  sea 
and  the  weight'  of  his  tangled  parachute  I was  net  able  to  do  it. 

I yelled  for  Lieut.  Jones  to  come  out  on  the  wing  and  give  me  a lift.  He 
told  me  that  he  could  not  leave  the  controls  of  the.  plane,  and  it  is  fortunate 
he.  did  not,  because  without  anyone  to  control  the  -plane  and  the  weight  of  the 
three  of  us  on  the  one  wing  I believe  we  would  have  turned  over.  Lieut.  Jones 
extended  to  me  his  open  pocket  knife  and  told  me  to  cut  the  parachute  away 
from  Sergeant  Alexander.  I grabbed  some  of  the  parachute  and  wrapped  it 
around  the  end  of  the  wing  to  keep  him.  from  drifting  away,  while  I went  back 
to  the  co doit  to  get  Lieut.  Jones'  knife.  As  I got  hack  to  the  fuselage  I 
saw  Lieut.  Boyd  drifting  towards  us  on  the  other  side  of  the  plane,  off  the 
left  wing.  Due  to  the  weight  of  Sergeant  Alexander  on  the  right  wing  tip,  the 
left  wing  of  the  plane  was  sticking  up  in  the  air  above  the  surface  of  the 
water.  I endeavored  to  get  out  onto  the  loft  wing  to. weigh  it  down  and,  if 
possible,  give  Lieut.  Boyd  a hand,  but  I could  not  work  fast  enough  and  he 
drifted  by  under  the  left  wing.  I saw  him  raise  his  arm  and  grab  for  the  left 
wing  pontoon  and  Just  miss  it.  When  he  did  so,  Lieut.. . Jones  kicked  the  rudder 
of  the  plane  around  so  that  Lieut.  Boyd  might  have  a chance  to  grab  the  tail, 
but  as  he  did  so  the  nose  went  down,  the  tail  up  and  Lieut.  Boyd  missed  it. 

Also  at  this  time,  probably  due  to  the  quick  Jerk  on  the  rudder  of  the  plane, 
Sergeant  Alexander's  chute  became  unfastened  from  the  right  wing  and  he  drift- 
ed astern  of  us. 

during  this  time  that  we  were  in  the  water  attempting  to  rescue  these  men, 
the  other  three  LB-5A  Bombers  were  circling  overhead.  My.  S.O.S.  calls  for  help 
were  received  by  the  Luke  Field  radio  station,  relayed  by .telephone  to  the 
Haval  Air  Station,  and  that  station  called  the  Wavy  patrol  planes  which  were 
down  near  Upolu  Point  and  told  them  to  get  back  to  9430,  as  a plane  had  landed 
in  the  water  there.  At  the  time  that  Sergeant  Alexander  drifted  away  from  us, 

• ^bich  was  approximately  15  minutes  from  the  time  I sent  out  the  S.O.S.  call,  I 
saw  one  of  the  Havy  PD  wlanes  come  in  and  land  about  500  yards  southeast  of  us. 

- -256-:  "•  " ••T-S075  ;AC 


Standing  up  in  the  rear  cockpit,  I was  able  to  see  them  taxi  towards  these  men 
in  the  water  and  hoped  that  they  would  he  able  tc  pick  them  up,  as  both  of  the 
Amphibian  planes  had  been  unable  to  do  so.  I saw  a man  standing  up  in  the 
center  section  of  this  Navy  plane  directing  the  rescue  work.  The  Navy  pilot., 
made  two  complete  turns,  one  to  the  right  and  then  one  to  the  left  by  using  his 
motors.  These  motors  were  of  the  radial  air-cooled  type  and  stood  high  out  of 
the  water,  where  they  were  not  affected  by  the  spray.  I marvelled  at  the  abil- 
ity of  the  plane  to  maneuver  in  such  a rough  sea.  When  we  landed,  the  shower  of 
water  that  we  got  over  our  plane  caused  the  right  bank  of  our  motor  to  cut  out. 

We  then  headed  the  plane  into  the  wind  and  waves  in  a northeasterly  direction 
and  started  to  taxi  towards  the  direction  of  Maui,  but  after  about  a half  hour, 
our  motor  cut  out  completely,  due  to  the  water  getting  into  the  distributor  head, 
carburetor  and  generator,  which  are  slightly  above  the  water  line  in  an  inverted 
Liberty  motor.  If  we  had  had  a radial  air-cooled  engine,  I believe  that  we 
would  have  been  able  to  taxi  very  slowly  into  the  lee  of  the  Island  of  Maui.  As 
it  was,  with  a dead  motor  we  started  drifting  southwest  with  our  plane  headed 
in  an  easterly  direction. 

Lieut.  Jones  had  to  handle  the  controls  as  if  we  were  flying,  using  his 

rudder  and  elevator  to  keep  the  plane  headed  into  the  wind.  The  aileron  con- 

trol had  to  be  worked  the  reverse  of  what  they  are  in  the  air,  the  same  as  taxy- 
ing  a plane  on  the  ground.  At  about  1:00  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  plane 
that  had  been  circling  overhead  had  left  us.  The  Navy  PD  'plane  that  had  landed 

in  the  water,  had  taxied  in  the  direction  of  Maui  and  was  out  of  sight  at  this 

time.  We  felt  confident,  however,  that  other  -planes  would  be  out  for  us  in  a 
short  time  and  that  we  would  be  picked  up  by  the  middle  of  the  afternoon. 

At  3:00  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  three  Navy  Patrol  planes  appeared  near 
us.  I fired  a Very  pistol  rocket  and  then  they  came  over  us  and  one  -plane 
dropped  out  of  formation  and  started  circling  us,  while  the  other  two  planes 
went  on  to  the  northwest.  We  could  see  them  circling  up  there  and  had  visions 
of  boats  coming  towards  us  from  all  directions.  We  thought  this  plane  above  us 
was  circling  to  mark  our  position,  so  that  boats  could  guide  on  them  in  coming 
towards  us.  Fnen  the  sun  went  down  and  it  started  to  get  dark,  this  one  plane 
flew  over  us  and  the  pilot  jazzed  his  motor.  I fired  another  Very  pistol 
rocket  to  let  him  know  we  were  still  there.  It  was  so  dark  that  he  could  not 
see  us  and  he  had  his  navigation  lights  on.  He  then  left  us  and  flew  northeast 
in  the  direction  of  Maui. 

At  this  time  our  hopes  of  being  saved  were  very  small  and  we  realized  then 
that  we  would  have  to  ride  it  out  all  night  and  possibly  an  hour  or  two  after 
daylight  before  being  rescued,  if  our  plane  held  together.  I inspected  the  hull 
every  half  hour  to  see  whether  or  not  any  of  the  seams  had  opened  and  if  the 
plane  was  leaking.  I threw  everything  overboard  that  was  of  no  use  to  us  or  in 
rescue  work,  such  as  canvas  cockpit  and  propeller  cover,  iron  screw  pickets 
after  taking  the  ropes  off,  parachutes,  etc.  We  had  two  canteens  of  water  and 
two  cans  of  emergency  rations,  also  two  Very  pistols  and  about  thirty  cartridges, 
ten  each  of  red,  white  and  green.  Only  about  one-third  of  these  cartridges  were 
any  good,  due  to  dampness.  From  the  time  we  landed  until  rescue,  we  only  con- 
sumed about  two- thirds  of  one  canteen  of  water.  We  did  not  touch  the  emergency 
rations  as  we  thought  we  might  need  them  later  on  if  we  were  not  picked  up  dur- 
ing the  night. 

Between  the  time  the  sun  went  down  and  9:00  o'clock  was  our  hardest  time. 
Shortly  after  dark,  a rain  squall  came  up,  the  sea  appeared  to  get  rougher  and 
it  was  pitch  dark.  We  could  not  see  the  waves  coming  at  us,  and  therefore  Lt. 
Jones  had  difficulty  in  holding  the  plane  into  the  waves.  Occasionally,  we 
could  see  the  phosphorous  from  the  white  caps  on  the  water.  When  the  moon 
came  up  at  nine  o'clock  and  the  clouds  drifted  away,  our  spirits  rose, because 
we  knew  that  we  would  have  the  moonlight  for  the  remainder  of  the  night.  We 
kept  the  ship  headed  east,  by  observing  the  Dipper,  North  Star  and  the 
Southern  Cross,  as  well  as  a bright  star  in  the  east.  Several  times  during  the 
night  we  thought  we  saw  a light,  only  to  find  out  that  it  was  either  phospho- 
rous on  the  water  or  bright  stars  down  near  the  horizon.  At  midnight,  I saw  a 
light  on  the  northeastern  horizon  and  there  was  no  mis  talcing  it.  The  stars  and  | 
phosphorous  were  all  of  a silver  color  light,  while  this  light  that  I saw  was 
more  of  a dull  or  yellow  color.  I watched  it  for  several  minutes  and  saw  it 
appear  above  the  waves  about  three  times  before  I told  Lieut.  Jones.  After 
about  three  attempts,  I was  able  to  fire  a Very  pistol  rocket.  It  then  took  me 
almost  ten  minutes  before  I could  fire  a second  one,  which  was  green.  It  was 
answered  almost  immediately  by  a green  x-ocket  from  the  direction  of  the  light. 

-267-  V-6075,A.C. 


I then  fired  another,  which  was  in  answer  to'  their  rocket  and  a white  one,  and 
continued  firing  rockets  every  ten  minutes  from  that  time  until  a boat  got 
near  enough  to  get  its  searchlight  on  us.  I first  sighted  the  light  at  exactly 
midnight,  and  it  was  1:00  o’clock  when  the  boat  crossed  our  how  from  left  to 
right.  As  it  drew  near  us  I recognized  it  as  the  U.S.S.  PELICAN,  the  Naval 
Aircraft  Tender  from  the  Naval  Air  Station  at  Pearl  Harbor.  I told  Lieut. Jones 
that  we  were  saved,  as  there  was  not  a better  boat  in  these  waters  to  pick  us 
up  than  the  PELICAN.  It  is  their  job,  they  are  trained  in  the  work,  have  the 
necessary  equipment,  and  know  how  to  go  about  it. 

When  the  boat  crossed  our  bow,  they  yelled  to  us  and  asked  if  we  had 
slings  aboard.  Lieut.  Jones  answered  in  the  negative.  They  said;  "All  right, 
stand  by  for  a line  and  we  will  send  you  one."  The  only  thing  we  could  under- 
stand them  to  say  was  a line.  The  boat  turned  around  and  was  approaching  us 
from  our  right,  and  as  they  crossed  over  in  front  of  us  they  threw  us  a line. 

I was  standing  up  on  the  steps  in  the  rear  cockpit,  looking  at  the  boat  and 
shading  mjr  eyes  with  my  hand,  as  I was  blinded  by  the  glare  of  their  search- 
light. The  rope  that  they  threw  at  us  was  a very  light  one,  like  a sash  cord, 
with  a lead  weight  about  the  size  of  a lemon  on  the  end  of  it.  This  weight 
crashed  through  the  top  of  the  right  wing,  about  three  feet  in  front  of  my  face, 
going  through  the  wing.  The  rope  then  began  to  tear  the  fabric  towards  the 
leading  edge.  I scrambled  out  of  the  cockpit  onto  the  top  wing  on  my  stomach 
and  worked  my  way  out  on  the  wing  and  got  hold  of  the  roTje  and  started  pulling 
it.  All  this  time  we  were  coming  closer  to  the  side  of  the  PELICAN. 

As  we  got  near  the  side  of  it,  Lieut.  Jones,  thinking  that  I was  getting 
off  the  top  wing,  left  his  cockpit,  walked  out  on  the  lower  right  wing  to  the 
tip  of  the  wing,  stuck  out  his  hand,  got  hold  of  a man’s  hand  on  the  PELICAN, 
and  stepped  onto  the  deck  without  even  getting  his  feet  wet.  At  this  time, 
when  the  plane  banged  against  the  side  of  the  ship,  the  seniors  were  trying  to 
ward  the  plane  off  with  long  poles,  with  a soft  padding  on  the  end.  They  yell- 
ed to  me  to  get  back,  fearing  that  the  right  wing  would  crumble  and  throw  me 
into  the  sea.  I worked  my  way  to  the  center  section  where  I found  I was  turn- 
ed and  quite  a ways  astern  of  the  PELICAN.  I dropped  down  into  the  -pilot’s 
cockpit,  got  hold  of  the  controls  of  the  -plane  and  headed  her  into  the  wind,  as 
it  had  been  riding  crossways  with  the  waves.  The  PELICAN  then  maneuvered 
around  and  approached  me  again  from  my  right  side  and  threw  another  line  to  me. 
This  line  passed  diagonally  across  the  center  section  from  the  right  rear  to  the 
left  front  in  an  excellent  position  for  me  to  get  hold  of  it  above  my  head.  I 
pulled  in  on  this  lino  and  found  two  one- inch  ropes  on  the  end  of  it.  Wrapping 
these  one- inch  ropes  around  my  right  arm,  I climbed  out  of  the  cockpit,  up 
onto  the  center  section  and,  lying  on  my  stomach,  stuck  these  ropes  down  under 
the  leading  edge  of  the  top  wing  and  around  the  two  forward  center- sect ion 
struts,  where  I tied  them  securely.  I then  slid  bade  into  the  cockpit  and 
found  that  while  I was  not  controlling  the  plane  that  the  two  ropes  had  fouled 
around  the  tail  skid.  The  PELICAN  was  then  headed  into  the  wind  and  had  me 
pulled  tail  end  too  into  the  wind.  When  the  waves  hit  me,  the  nose  went  down 
and  the  tail  up.  I kicked  the  rudder  hard  over,  which  disengaged  the  ropes 
from  around  the  tail  skid.  The  plane  jerked  around  so  quickly  that  these  ropes 
fouled  on  the  trailing  edge  of  the  top  right  wing  and  began  to  crumble  up  the 
wing. 

They  were  fouled  between  the  top  right  aileron  and  wing  section.  I yelled 
to  the  men  on  the  boat  to  give  me  slack  on  one  of  these  lines,  which  they  did. 

I then  crawled  out  on  the  top  right  wing,  disentangled  the  slack  rope,  carried 
it  forward  with  me  down  to  the  side  of  the  motor  and,  working  my  way  forward 
onto  the  bow  of  the  -plane  by  holding  onto  the  blade  of  the  propeller  with  my 
left  hand,  I fastened  this  rope  around  the  cleat  on  the  bow  of  the  plane.  I 
then  told  them  to  take  up  on  that  rope  and  give  me  slack  on  the  other,  I climb- 
ed back  onto  the  wing,  got  this  other  rope  and,  working  my  way  forward  again, 

I fastened  it  also  onto  the  cleat  on  the  bow  of  the  plane.  We  then  had  the 
plane  nose  end  to  and  pulled  in  to  about  twenty  feet  of  the  leeward  side  of  the 
stern  of  the  PELICAN.  They  then  told  me  to  stand  fast,  that  they  would  throw 
me  another  line  and  send  out. a heavy  tow  rope,  which  I was  to  make  fast  some- 
where around  the  motor,  and  then  they  would  take  me  off.  After  five  attempts 
they  succeeded  in  throwing  a line  which  I caught.  I pulled  it  in  towards  me 
and  found  a heavy  four- inch  hemp  rope  with  a large  iron  U bolt  on  the  end  of 
it.  This  bolt  must  have  weighed  35  or  40  pounds.  I tried  for  20  minutes  to 
.get  this  rope  up  around  the  hub  of  the  propeller,  but  was  unsuccessful,  due  to 

-268-  V-6075,  A.C. 


its  heayy  weight  and  dropped  it.  I then  told  them  that  it  was  too  heavy  for 
me,  that  I could  not  handle  it  and  to  take  me  off  "before  I gave  out  or  was 
washed  off.  They  pulled  the  "bow  of  the  plane  in  close  to  the  side  of  the 
PELICAN  and  threw  me  a soft  Manila  rope  with  a noose  on  the  end  of.it,  which 
I put  around  my  body  under  my  arms  and  tightened  it  up. 

Then  as  the  PELICAN  rolled  over  and  the  deck  became  awash,  the  bow  of  the 
plane  near  the  rail  of  the  PELICAN,  they  yelled  for  me  to  jump.  I dived  head 
first  and  struck  on  the  rail,  on  my  stomach.  Three  men  were  pulling  on  this 
rope  around  me  and  two  men. got  hold  of  each  of  my  arms.  They  gave  another 
pull  and  I landed  on  a coil  of  rope  in  the  middle  of  the  after  deck  of  the 
PELICAN.  This  was  just  an  hour  after  Lieut.  Jones  got  off  and  fifteen  hours 
from  the  time  we  landed  in  the  water  the  previous  morning." 


In  the  citation  accompanying  the  award  of  the  Distinguished  Flying  Cross 
to  Lieut.  Edwin  f.  Rawlings,  it  is  stated  that  at  the  time  of  the  accident  to 
the  Bombing  plane  which  caused  three  of  its  occupants  to  take  to  their  para- 
chutes and  throughout  the  day  a very  strong  wind  was  blowing,  whipping  up  the 
waves  to  a dangerous  height.  With  disregard  for  his  own  personal  safety, 

Lieut.  Rawlings  landed  his  plane  in  close  proximity  to  the  men  in  the  water  in 
an  attempt  to  effect  their  rescue,  but  owing  to  the  high  wind  and  waves,  and  a 
missing  motor,  he  was  unable  to  maneuver  his  plane  after  landing.  However,  by 
his  prompt  action  the  crew  of  a Navy  flying  boat  was  able  to  see  the  men  in 
the  water  and  effect  their  rescue.  Lieut.  Rawlings  and  his  mechanic,  Staff 
Sergeant  Robert  F.  Summers , were  not  rescued  from  their  plane  until  about  7s 00 
p.m.  that  day,  having  landed  on  the  water  shortly  after  il:00  o* clock  that 
morning  when  the  accident  occurred. 

In  the  case  of  Sergeant  Summers , the  citation  states,  among  other  things  - 
"After  his  pilot  had  landed  his  plane  in  an  attempt  to  rescue  the  crew,  Sgt. 
Summers  worked  tirelessly  on  the  motor,  which  was  missing  badly,  attempting  to 
keep  it  going  so  that  the  plane  could  be  maneuvered  to  the  vicinity  of  the  per- 
sonnel in  the  water.  Although  unsuccessful  in  their  attempt  to  effect  the 
rescue,  by  their  landing  in  close  proximity  to  the  men  in  the  water,  the  crew 
of  a Navy  flying  boat  was  able  to  see  the  men  and  effect  their  rescue." 

— -oOo-- — 

FIRST  LIEUTENANT  RETIRES  FOR  AGE 

An  order  was  recently  issued  by  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  -placing  a 
First  Lieutenant  on  the  retirement  list  by  virtue  of  reaching  64,  the  statu- 
tory age  for  compulsory  retirement.  Thus  has  come  to  pass  a situation  which 
has  always  been  treated  in  a jesting  manner  whenever  the  -promotion  question 
came  up  for  discussion  among. Army  Air  Corps  personnel.  Such  a contingency 
was  referred  to  by  some  half  jokingly,  by  others  half  sincere  and  by  still 
others  in  a sort  of  prophetical  vein,  based  on  the  fact  that,  due  to  their 
position  as  a body  far  down  on  the  promotion  list  among  officers  of  other 
branches  of  the  service  with  less  service  than  they,  some  of  the  Air  Corps 
first  lieutenants  would  never  reach  a higher  grade  before  retirement. 

Happily,  however,  the  First  Lieutenant  who  retired  in  that  grade  on  reach- 
ing the  age  limit  for  active  duty  was  a member  of  the  Air  Corps  Reserve. 
Nevertheless,  this  bit  of  news  caused  many  furrowed  brows  among  Regular  Army 
flyers  and  sober  reflection  on  what  the  future  holds  for  them  in  the  matter 
of  rank  when  the  ultimate  order  comes  for  them  to  proceed  to  their  home  to 
await  retirement.  . 

The  Reservist,  whose  name  has  been  withheld,  was  retired  to  the  Auxiliary 
Reserve  Corps,  but  still  with  the  rank  of  First  Lieutenant. 

— oOOr— ■- 

* ' •••  IN  MEMORIAM 

By  Mitchel  Field- Correspondent 

...  .The  death  of  Lieut.  William  A.  Hafbold  on  September  1st  was  a sad  shock 
to  Mitchel  Field.  Officers  and  enlisted  men  alike  will  miss  this  modest  and 
good  nature d comrade.  We  feel  that  there  is  little  we  can  write  about  him, 
for  his  excellent,  qualities  are  too  well  known  to  us  all,  Descended  from  the 
Kentucky  pioneers,  '.'he  gave 'his  life  in  a manner  worthy  of  their  gallant  line. 
And  we  join  in  a last  salute  to  one  more  brave  heart  who  gave  his  life  in  the 
-progress  of  our  country. 


-2S9- 


?-6075,A .0 


'A  POSER  POE  THE  COURT 

The  following  little ' episode  occurred  at  a Special  Courts- Martial  trial  at 
'March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif. ; recently: 

Private  X was  being  tried  for  being  asleep  on  post.  Lieut.  H,  the  Officer 
of  the  Day  at  the  time  of  the  alleged  occurrence,  was. the  accuser.  It  was 
brought  out  that  when  Lieut.’  H"'  made  his  inspection”' at  about  daylight  he  found 
Private  X sitting  down. and  apparently  asleep. 

The, accused  took.  the,  stand  in  his  own  behalf  and  strongly  denied  that' he 
had  been  asleep.  His  post  at  the  time  was  thfe’ sentry  bon  at  the  main  gate. 

He  claimed  that  he  was  sitting  down  on  the  seat  "provided  for  him  when  Lieut.  H 
approached.  It  was  just,  dawn  and* he  saw  Lieut.  H.  approach  the  sentry  box  in 
his  large  sedan.  He  recognised  him  but  made  no  effort  to  get  up  and  render  him 
the  proper  military  courtesies.  All  of  this  he  admitted. 

When  ashed  by  a member  of  the  court  if  he  knew  his  Eleventh  General  Order, 
he  said  - "Yes.  To  salute  all.  officers  and  all  standards  and  colors  not  cased." 
This  was  correct,  and  the  member  then  ashed  him  why  he  did  not  carry  it  out  be- 
cause he  admitted  that  he  recognized  Lieut.  H;  that  why  did  he  not  come  to  atten- 
tion and  salute  him  as  he  should  have. 

To  this  Private  X replied:  "Sir  , the’ Eleventh  General  Order  specifically 
states  that  you  are  to,  salute  all  officers  and  colors  and . standards  not  cased 
and,  therefore,  I could  see  no  reason  why  I' should  have  jumped  to  attention  and 
saluted  Lieut..  H when  he  drew  up  to  my  post.  , Lieut..  H was  cased,  in  that  he  was 
enclosed  in  a ’big  sedan." 

The  members  of  the  court  were  undetermined  as  to  whether  the  accused  was  the 
dumbest  individual  ..in  the  world,  or  one  with  a very  clever  analytical  mind. 

- — oOo^ — 

.......  , ARMY  AID  NAVY  ^LEUVER.,011  PACIFIC  COAST  ..  ; .' 

The  Army  and  .Wavy  maneuver .on  the  Pacific  Coast  started  at  2:00  o'clock 
on  the .afternoon  of  August  i4th.  The  Air  Corps’  complement  consisted  of  the .13 
planes .at  Crissy  Field,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Calif.,  and  the  Seventh 
Bombardment  Group. at  Rockwell  Field,  ‘Coronado,  Calif.  A temporary,  base  was 
made  at  Mills  'Field,.  San  Francisco,  for  the  period  of  the  maneuver.  The  91st 
Observation  Squadron  at  Crissy -Field’ was  on  constant  reconnaissance  work  dur- 
ing the  entire  maneuver,  sending  out  regular  patrols  at  one-hour  intervals  for 
the  48  hours  whi ch  constituted’ the  length  thereof. 

. Major  Harvey  S.  Burwell,  in  charge  of  the'  Air  Corps  during  the  maneuver, 
was  very  well  satisfied  with  the ' showing  made  by  the  Army  against  .the  Havy  in 
the  face  of  such  ^tremendous  odds ' The  Hews  Letter  Correspondent  .States  i "We 
all  feel  that  if  it  had  been  actual  warfare,  .that  an 'invading  .force  with  airplane 
carriers  would  .not  have  had  a chance."  " 

oOo — - 

.FISH  STORIES  - .BELIEVE  THEM' OR  HOT. 

Lieut.  Harvey  Prosser,  Air’ Corps,  who  took  temporary . command  of  Crissy 
Field,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  , Calif. , during  the  absence  of  Captain  Walter 
F.  Kraus  on  sick  leave,  recently  returned  from  an  extended  trip  through  the 
Horthwest,  where  he  was  in  charge  of  cooperative  missions  carried  on  with  dif- 
ferent Army  posts  in  that ' section  of  .the  United  States.  He  was  detained  a few 
days  in  a small  field  just  north  of . Mi  s' sepia,  , Montana,  where  it  is  reported  a 
slight  accident  occurred  to  the  airplane  he  v/as  piloting.  During  the  period 
he  was  forced  to  sta.y  in  this  secluded  part  of  the  country,  he  indulged  in  the 
past time  of  fishing  and  took  several  hundred  pounds  of  trout  from  one  of  the 
nearby  streams. 

Mitchel  Field  in  particular  might  well  take  cognizance  of  the  Fishermen's 
Paradise  in  the  v/ide  and  open  spaces  of  the  Great  ITorthwest  for,  according  to 
tales  received  regarding  the  prowess-  of . its  fishermen,  the  finny. tribe  in  the 
eastern  waters  are  either  scarce  or  else  too  well  fed  to  he  tempted  by  sundry 
bait.  A few  days  ago  the. .gun. and. rod  member  of  the  Entertainment  Committee,  of 
the  Officers'  Club  decided  to  .go  catch  some  fish  and  help  reduce  the  food  bill 
of  the  married  officers  of  the.pcst.  .The  day  arrived,  and  bright  and  early  our 
expert  set  out  with  the  best  of . fishing  tackle  and  the  largest  of  bags  in 
which  to  carry  home  his  catch.  He  fished  for  a while  without  success.  A 

-270-  V-5075 ,A. C. 


change  of  "bait  -was  no  help.  Spoons,  minnows  and  hooks  of  all  sizes ^ncUdescrip-' 
t ion  were  used  at  one  time  or  another  during  the  day,  Night  fell  hut,  with  en- 
viable patience,  our  fisherman  hopefully  carried  on.  It  was  not  until  the  early 
hours  of  the  morning  that  he  finally  gave  up,  exhausted,  sunburned,  seasick,  and 
hut  one  fish,  about  four  inches  long,  to  his  credit.  Some  cynical  soul  claims 
that  the  fish  was  bought  on  the  way  back,  but  we  are  not  inclined  to  agree  with 
him. 

Another  story  from  Mitchel  Field  goes  under  the  caption  of  "Milligan’s 
Whale."  Jerry  was  standing  on  a rock  far  out  in  the  waters  off  the  coast  of 
Maine,  hauling,  according  to  his  account,  fish  after  fish  out  of  the  briny 
deep  with  monotonous  regularity.  His  catch  was  numerically  large,  but  individ- 
ually small,  so  he  was  not  -prepared  for  the  gradually  growing  strain  that  de- 
veloped in  alarming  proportions  on  his  line.  Jerry  braced  himself  on  the  re- 
verse side  of  his  rock  as  the  rod  bent  double  under  the  pull.  Perspiration 
stood  out  on  his  brow;  he  feared  to  be  dragged  out  to  sea  by  that  monster  on 
his  line.  Then  came  sudden  victory  1 The  strain  relaxed  and  Jerry  tumbled  back- 
ward from  the  rock  and  into  the  sea  with  a mighty  splash.  Soaked,  but  flushed 
with  victory,  he  clambered  back  to  view  his  prize.  It  was  a full  six  inches 
long.  Jerry  has  a series  of  gashes  from  knee  to  ankle  and  a shrunken  suit  to 
prove  the  story, 

0O0 

UNFORTUNATE  AIRPLANE  ACCIDENT  IN  HAWAII 

On  August  11th,  while  piloting  a Loening  Amphibian  in  a training  formation 
flight  with  Staff  Sergeant  Ralph  0.  Mills  as  crew  chief,  Lieut.  Ivan  M. 

Atterbury  crashed  from  an  altitude  of  900  feet  after  going  into  a spin.  The 
plane  landed  10  feet  from  the  shore  line  in  front  of  the  officers*  quarters  at 
Luke  Field  and  caught  fire  immediately.  Roth  occupants  were  burned  beyond  recog- 
nition. 

Lieut,  Atterbury  was  born  at  Roseburg,  Oregon.  Upon  graduation  from  high 
school,  he  attended  the  University  of  Southern  California  in  the  1923-1924  class, 
studying  Pharmacy.  In  1924-25,  he  attended  the  Oregon  State  College,  studying 
Civil  Engineering,  but  did  not  graduate,  and  in  the  same  year  - 1925  - left 
college  to  work  as  a general  contractor.  He  continued  work  as  contractor  from 
1925  to  1928,  and  on  March  1st  of  the  following  year  he  received  appointment  as 
Flying  Cadet,  He  successfully  completed  the  courses  at  the  Primary  and  Advanced 
Flying  Schools,  graduated  March  1,  1930,  rated  Airplane  Pilot  and  Airplane 
Observer,  and  commissioned  a 2nd  Lieutenant  in  the  Air  Corps  Reserve.  Being 
lolaced  on  active  duty  for  one  year  under  his  reserve  commission,  Lieut.  Atterbury 
was  assigned  to  the  Hawaiian  Department,  and  arrived  at  Luke  Field  on  March  27, 
1930.  While  serving  at  this  station  he  wgts , on  June  6,  1930,  commissioned  a 2nd 
Lieutenant  in  the  Air  Corps,  Regular  Army,  He  had  flown  PT^-3,  DH,  02- A,  B,  C,  K,  j 
and  Loening  Amphibian  types  of  airplanes  during  his  service  as  Flying  Cadet  and 
as  an  officer.  His  home  prior  to  entering  the  military  service  was  Route  #1, 

Box  #7,  Roseburg,  Oregon. 

Lieut.  Atterbury*  s untimely  death  is  keenly  felt  by  his  comrades  in  the 
service,  and  the  Army  has  lost  a promising  young  officer. 

Staff  Sergeant  Ralph  0.  Mills  was  born  November  20,  1904.  His  home  address 
prior  to  entering  the  service  was  107  East  Elm,  St.  Saborus,  Illinois.  He  , 
arrived  in  the  Hawaiian  Department  on  March  2,  1928,  from  Self ridge  Field,  Mich., 
where  he  served  with  the  17th  Pursuit  Squadron.  At  Lake  Field  he  served  with  the 
4th  Observation  Squadron  to  the  date  of  his  unfortunate  death.  Sergeant  Mills 
was  discharged  as  a Sergeant  on  his  first  enlistment  in  the  Army  Air  Corps  with 
character  "Excellent,"  on  February  12,  1925,  and  as  Staff  Sergeant  from  his 
second  enlistment  on  February  19,  1928.  He  was  single.  His  loss  is  keenly  felt 
by  those  who  knew  him. 

- — oOo — » 

TOUGH  SLEDDING  AT  PRIMARY  FLYING  SCHOOL 

The  July  1st  Class  of  the  Primary  Flying  School  at  Brooks  Field,  San 
Antonio,  Texas,  started  off  with  a total  of  137  students,  comprising  13  officers 
from  the  Regular  Army,  two  foreign  students  from  Guatemala,  one  noncommissioned 
officer,  six  experimental  cadets,  26  Cadets  from  the  Army  and  89  Cadets  from 
civil  life.  Of  this  number  40  have  already  been  recommended  for  elimination,  36 
of  them  because  of  the  lack  of  flying  ability. 

-271- 


Y-6075.A.C. 


THE  DEMOCRATIC  SPIRIT  IN. THE  ARMY 

"Democracy  is  the  key-note  of  our  Government  and  it  certainly  exists  in 
the  local  Plying  Cadet  Detachment,"  sayr  the  Hews  Letter  Correspondent  from 
March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif.  He  then  goes,  on  to  say  that  one  certain  after- 
noon, during  the  recent  enrollment  of  the  present  lower  class  at  the  Primary 
Plying  School,  a Packard  Eight  Sedan  drove  up  in  front  of  the  Cadet  Detachment. 

A fine  looking  ycrung  men  with  his  mother  was  sitting  in  the  rear  seat  with  a 
dusky  chauffeur  driving. 

The  cahuffeur  got  out  and  ran  around  to  the  door,  grabbed  a hag  of  golf 
clubs  and  two  Gladstone  hags,  while  the  youth  kissed  his  mother  and  slowly 
followed  the  chauffeur  with  his  baggage  up  the  walk  to  the  Orderly  Room  door. 

At  the  time  watching  the  procedure  was  an  upper- classman  with  the  chevrons  of 
a Sergeant  on  his  sleeves.  He  walked  out  to  meet  the  new  "Dodo"  and  in  a loud 
and  stern  voice  said:  "Say,  Mister,  from  now  on  you  carry  your  own  equipment." 

The  chauffeur,  with  big  eyes  and  open  mouth,  dropped  the  luggage  and  the  youth 
picked  it  up.  Okie  upper- classman  then  doubled  time  the  new  boy  with  all  his 
baggage  across  a well  watered  lawn  to  the  Orderly  Room.  The  chsaffeur  returned 
to  the  car,  the  fond  mother  returned  her  lorgnette  to  her  bag  and  looked  away, 
in  disgust  while  the  car  was  turned  and  quickly  sped  away. 

The  youth  is  still  with  us  and  he  has  taken  his  discipline  and  likes  it. 

They  say  he  has  the  makings  of  a fine  officer. 

— -0O0— 

GENERAL  LAHM  RETURNS  TO  FAMILIAR  SURROUNDINGS 

Brigadier- General  Prank  P.  Lahm,  who  resumed  his  former  rank  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  recently  returned  to  his  former  station  at  the  Presidio  of  San  Prancisco, 
California,-  as  Air  Officer  of  the  9th  Corps  Area,  a position  which  he  held  prior 
to  his  temporary  appointment  as  Brigadier- General  and  Assistant  Chief  of  Air 
Corps.  In  that  capacity  he  organized  the  great  Air  Corps  Training  Center  at 
Duncan  Field*  San' Antonio,  Texas.. 

Pew  men  have  rendered  longer  or  more  consistently  constructive  service  to 
aviation  than  Prank  P.  lahm.  He  was'  soloed  by  Wilbur  Wright,  flew  with  Orville 
Wright  in  1908,  and  was  the  first  officer  of  any  army  to  fly.  He  has  since  had 
varied  experience  with  both  he.a vie r~ t han-ai r and  lighter- than-air  craft.  In 
England  and  Prance  and  on  the  western  front  he  rendered  distinguished  service 
in  the  ¥/orld  War.  Since  the  war  his  contributions  to  the  advancement  of  heavier- 
than-air  aviation  have  been  equally  meritorious.  • 

General  Lahm' s reassignment  to  the  Ninth  Corps  Area  is  said  by  officials  to 
be  significant  of  the  importance  attached  to  the  Air  Corps  development  program 
which  has  commenced  on  the  Pacific  Coast. 

oQo— 

AIR  CORPS  TO '.MAP  •.■OLYMPIA-  PENINSULA 

The  15th  Photo  Section  at  Crissy  Field,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Calif., 
has  been  detailed  to  map  an  area  of  1800  square  miles  on  the  Olympia  Peninsula 
in -Washington.  The  project  is  in  command  of  Lieut.  E.B.  Bobzien,  with  Sergeant 
Stocks-;:  Li  as  photographer. 

A new  photographic  plane  is  to  be  used  on. this  project,  having  been  built 
for  the  Army  by  the  Fairchild  Company.  With  supercharger  equipment  on  the 
"Wasp"  motor,  the  plane  has  a service  ceiling  of  20,500  feet.  Oxygen  tanks  are 
carried  for  altitude  work.  Special  navigation  instruments  are  carried  in  the 
cabin,  and  there  is  space  for  two  cameras  with  all  accessories  and  room  for  two 
men. 

The  camera  being  used  on  the  present  project-  is  a Bagley  multi-lens,  having 
four  lenses  that  operate  simultaneously,  -photographing  an  area  of  18  square 
miles  at  15,000  feet  with  a single  exposure.  This  new  equipment  makes  possible 
a more  accurate  survey  than  is  possible  on  the  ground  at  less  expense  „and  an 
enormous  saving  of  time . 

Prom  the  photographic  prints  it  is  possible  for  engineers'  to  compile  prac- 
tically all  of  the  necessary  data  for  making  topographical  maps  with  virtually 
no- ground  work,  even  to  placing  of  contours  to  as  close  as  a ten  foot  interval.  • 

-272-  V- 6075, A. C . 


FERRYING  PLANES  BE2&EEN  'THE  th£h  AND  PANAMA 

Having  definitely  established  the  practicability  of  ferrying  military  air- 
planes between  stations  in.  the.. United  States,  and  the-  Panama  Canai  Zone,  with 
resultant  saving  in. time,  as  well  as  expense  involved  in •crating  and  shinning 
. them  by  other  means  of  transportation,  the  Army .Air  Q.orps  is  now  making  a reg- 
ular practice  of  transferring  airplanes  to  and  from  that  Insular  possession  -un- 
•der..;their  own  power.  A most  recent  case  in. point  is  the  flight  of  four  PW-9C 
Pursuit  airplanes,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Louis  N.  Eller,  Air  Corps, 
which  took  off  from  France  Field,  Panama  Canal  Zone,  at  .6:25  a.m. September 
1st,  enroute  to  the  Repair  Depot  at  Duncan  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  and  ar- 
rived at  destination  five  days  later.  On  this  flight  the  four  airmen  passed 
over  Costa  Rica,  Nicaragua.,  Honduras,  Salvador,  -.Guatemala  and  Mexico.  At  the 
San  Antonio  Air  Depot  these  planes  will  he  overhauled  and  shipped  to  other 
Air  Corps  activities , France  Field  having  already  been'  furnished  a more  modern 
type  of  Pursuit  plane.  The  Army  oilots  returned  to  their  home  station  by 
rail  and  boat. 

— oOo— 

A QUESTION  ABOUT  THE  "QUESTION  MARKS." 

The  use  . of  the  name  "Question  Mark-,",  spelled  "?"  by  the  French  trans- 
Atlantic  flyers,  Coste  and  Bellonte,  has  caused  considerable  confusion  among 
that  class  of  laymen  who  follow  aviation  events  only  so  far  down  as  the  head- 
lines. 

The  original  of  fame  was  .the  tri-mo tored  Fokker , used  by  Army  Air 
Corps  flyers  in  the  first  real  endurance  refueling  flight  on  the  West  Coast 
the’ first  week  in  January,  1929.  The  personnel  of  that .flight  were  Major  Carl 
Spats,  Captain  - Ira  C.  Eaker,  Lieuts.  H.A.  Halverson  and  Elwood  R.  Qnesada,  and 
Sergeant  Roy  Hooe.  . ' This  flight  established  a record  of  150  hours,  40  minutes 
and  14  seconds  in,  the  air.  The  record: was  . short  lived,,  however,  and  the  -present 
one,  established  August  17,  1930,  at  Lambert  Field,  St,  Louis,  Mo.,  by  Dale 
Jackson  and  Forest  0* Brine,  is  647  hours,  28  minutes  and  30  seconds.  Neverthe- 
less, the  flight  of  the  "Question  Mark"  did  set  the.  pace,  and  was  the  means  of 
pointing  out  that, through  good  organization,  continuous  good  weather  and 
skillful  piloting,  the  actual  mechanical  endurance  of  an  airplane  and  its  ; 
engine  or  engines  could  he  tested  actually,  in  the  air  and  not  necessarily  on 
the  -test  block  alone. 

The-  present  famous  "?"  is  a Breguet  sesquiplane,  and  was. flown  from  Paris, 
France,-  to  the  Curt iss-Wright  Field  at  Valley  Stream,  Long  Island,  New , Yo.rk, 
hy  Dieudonne  Coste  and  Maurice  Bellonte,  French  pilot  and  navigator,  respective- 
ly, in  37  hours.  ; . 

— — oOo— 

- ' 

CAPTAIN  WARREN  TO  STUDY  AT  THE  BABSON  INSTITUTE 

The  scholarship  which  the  Babson  Institute,  Boston,  Mass.,  recently  awarded 
to  the  far' Department,,  was  allotted  hy  the  Secretary . of  War  to  the  Army  Air 
Corps,  and  Captain  George  S.  Warren,  -stationed  at  the-  Materiel  Division,  Wright 
Field.,  Dayton,  Ohio,  is  the  first  Air  Corps  officer,  to  be  honored  with  a detail 
as  student  at  this  -prominent  school  of  business  administration,. 

Under  Special  Orders  of  the  War  Department , .recently  issued,  ■ Captain 
Warren  is  directed  to  report  to  the- President  of.:  B&bson  Institute  not  later  ■ 
than  September  24th.  . • 

— OOO— 

PILOT  SEARCHES  FOR  HIMSELF ' 

: Lieut.  Allen,  of  Mitchel  Field,  recently -fleVr  to  Boonton,  New  Jersey,  to 
vis.ii’;:,’tho  Radio  Laboratories  there!  Shortly  after--  his  •arrival,  a phone  call 
came-  through  telling  of  a plane  crashing  in  that- vicinity.  Lieut.- Allen  took 
off  and  for  -forty  minutes  searched  for.  some  trace  of  the  wreck.  Finding  nothing, 
he  returned  to  Boonton  again  to  secure  more  information.  He  discovered  then , 
that  an  Army  plane  had  been  seen f. diving-. towards the,  ground  .at  the  same  .time' he 
had  .landed.  . The  ' plane  had  passed  below  a hill  and  &ad  not  come  .up  again.  . Re- 
membering, that  he  had  dragged  the’  field  down,  wind,  put  the.  ship,  into  a 'wing”  over 
and  landed,  Lieut.  Allen  realized  he 'had' wasted ‘forty  minutes  looking  for 
himself.  V-6075,  A.C. 


-273- 


BROOKS  FIELD  SQUADRONS  CELEBRATE  ORGANIZATION  DAY 

Celebrating'  the  fourth  anniversary  of  its  organisation*  the  51st  School 
Squadron  held  its  annuel  picnic  at  Landa  Park , New  Braunfels,  Texas , on  Satur- 
day, August  9th.  With  -practically  one  hundred  percent  attendance  on  the  part 
of  members  of  the  organisation  and  many  invited  guests,  the  big  day  was  inaugu- 
rated with  swimming  in  the  beautiful  park  pool.  It  was  a typical,  old  time 
picnic  day  - hot  and  sweltering,  so  consequently  the  pool  was  the  popular  ren- 
dezvous throughout  the  entire  day.  . ■: 

The  high  spot  in  the  day’s  entertainment  was- the  muchly  anticipated  base- 
ball game  between  the  noncoms  and  the  privates.  "Old  Timer"  VanHcuten,  First 
Sergeant,  reverted  to  his  old  time  proficiency  as  a twirler  and  chalked  up  seven 
strikeouts  in  his  four  innings  on  the  mound.  Tho  heat  and  the  tell-tale  de- 
crepitude of  "old  age",  however,  proved  too  much  for  this  potential  fire-eater. 

Lieut.  L.L.  Koontz,  the  Squadron  Commander,  was  put  in  as  a pinch  hitter 
for  the  privates  in  the  seventh  inning  with  two  men  on.  The  gallery,  expecting 
at  least  to  see  him  paste  one  out  of  the  lot,  was  disappointed  when  his  one- 
time keen  baseball  eye  tricked  him  and  he  failed  to  connect.  The  Noncoms  won 
the. game  10  to  7. 

A pie-eating  contest,  which  had  been  anticipated  as  the  "piece  de  resist- 
ance" of  the  day’s  entertainment,  had  to  be  eliminated  from  the  order  of  the 
day  owing  to  Lieut.  Dayton’ s late  arrival.  Miniature  Golf  proved  quite  an  at- 
traction to  many  of  the  boys  and  their  dates,  and  the  day’s  program  was  brought 
to  a close  with  a dance  in  the  Landa  Park  pavilion. 

The  Squadron  feels  keenly  indebted  to  its  Squadron  Commander,  Lieut. 

Koontz,  for  .the  fine  spirit  of  cooperation  manifested  in  making  this  fourth 
Organization  Day  one  never  to  be  forgotten. 


The  1930  Organization  Day  of  the  52nd  School  Squadron,  Brooks  Field,  was 
held  on  Saturday,  August  ISth,  at  Landa  Park  at  New  Braunfels,  Texas,  about  38 
miles  from  Brooks  Field.  The  transportation  available  consisted  of  three  GMC 
trucks,  1 Cadillac,  1 Chrysler,  2 30-passenger  Grey  Line  busses  and  private 
cars.  In  all,  there  were  about  135  enlisted  men  and  about  75  guests  present. 

The  organization  left  Brooks  Field  at  9:00  a.m. , arriving  at  Landa  Park 
at  about  10:15.  The  majority  of  the  men  and  their  guests  immediately  headed 
for  the  bathing  pool.  The  pool  there  is  a large  one,  with  plenty  of  devices 
to  dive  and  swing  from.  Only  one  minor  casualty  was  recorded  for  the  day,  and 
that  was  because  Private  Hill  misjudged  the  depth  of  the  swimming  pool  by  about 
two  feet.  The  use  of  about  20'  rov"boats  was  had  during  the  day  and  they  were 
all  kept  in  constant  operation.  Although  the  men  were  allowed  to  fish,  there 
was  so  much  else  to  do  during  the  day  that  very  little  of  it  was  done.  At  noon 
all  assembled  on  the  picnic  grounds  for  lunch,  and  plenty  of  everything  was 
available. 

The  menu  consisted  of  fried  chicken,  boiled  ham  and  all  the  various  picnic 
side  dishes  which  could  be  thought  of,  including  near  beer  on  tap  and  all  kinds 
of  soft  drinks.  After  lunch  some  .went  back  to  swim,  others  boating,  while  the 
rest  played  miniature  golf  on  the  18-hole  miniature  golf  course.  Over  300 
games  were  played  during  tlie  day.  At  8:30  p.m. , a dance  was  well  attended,  and 
at  11:00  o’clock  the  journey  back  to  Brooks  Field  was  started,  a tired  but  happy 
lot  of  men  going  to  their  quarters  shortly  after  midnight, 

oOo 

AMBITIOUS  SCHEDULE  FOR  LANGLEY  FIELD  FOOTBALL  TEAM 

In  endeavoring  to  give  the  Post . personnel  the  utmost  in  Fall  and  Winter 
sports,  the  Athletic  Council  of  Langley  Field  arranged  a very  complete  and  ambi- 
tious football  schedule  for  1930.  Twelve  games  are' on  the  schedule  at  present, 
of  which  nine  are  with  College  Elevens.  Only  l four  games  will  be  played  away 
from  home,  giving  the  Post  eight  games  atrhome. 

Langley  Field  had  approximately  160  men  answer  the  call  of  the  coaches  on 
August  25th,  This  number  will  be  cut  eventually  to  33  men,  which  will  comprise 
the  first  team.  The  weeding  out  process  will  be  a long  and  tedious  one,  as 
there  are  many  players  with  a wealth  of  experience  on  the  Post. 

It  is  the  aim  of  the  Recreational  authorities  to  bring  back  the  spirit  of 
former  days,  when  Army  football  was  something  closely  watched  by  the  pawers  and 
sporting  writers.  We  are  trying  to  bring  to  the  Air  Corps  a reputation  for 

-274-  ~ V-S075,  A. C . 


clean,  hard,  sportsmanship  as  solid,  as  the  one  they  now  hold,  of  efficiency  and 
esprit  de  corps  in  their  daily  duties,"  says  the  Hews  Letter  Correspondent, 
adding:  "We  point  with  pride  to  our  record  of  last  season,  hut  "believe  it  can 
he  bettered  and  will  he  this  year." 


The  football  schedule  for  1930  is  given  below,  as  follows: 


Date 

Opponent 

Playing  Field 

Sat . Sept . 

20th 

William  and  Mary 

Williamsburg 

Sat.  Sept. 

27  th 

Campbell  College 

Langley  Field,  Va. 

Fri.  Oct. 

3rd 

Qp.antico  Marines 

Qjaantico,  Va. 

Fri.  Oct. 

10th 

Ap-prentice  School 

Hewport  Hews,  Va. 

(Hight) 

Sat.  Oct. 

18th 

Hew  Eiver  State  College 

Beckley,  West  Va. 

Sat.  Oct . 

25th 

Atlantic  University 

Langley  Field,  Va. 

Sat.  Hov. 

1st 

Fort  Monroe 

Langley  Field,  Va. 

Wed.  Hov. 

5th 

Fort  Eustis 

Fort  Eustis,  Va. 

Sat.  Hov. 

8th 

Atlantic  Christian  College 

Wilson,  H.C. 

Tues.Hov. 

11th 

Potomac  State  College 

Hewport  Hews,  Va. 

(Armistice 

Day) 

Sat.  Hov. 

15th 

Gallaudet  College 

Langley  Field,  Va. 

Sat.  Hov. 

22nd 

Oak  Eidge  Military  Institute 

Langley  Field,  Va. 

Thurs.Hov. 

27th 

(Pending) 

Langley  Field,  Va. 

(Thanksgiving  Day) 

The  record  of 

William  and  Mary  is  well  known  in 

this  section  of  the 

and  South.  For  several  years  they  have  been  leading  contenders  for  the  mythical 
flag  of  the  Virginia  Conference.  However,  this  game  is  an  early  season  practice 
one  for  both  teams,  and  the  decision  either  way  makes  very  little  difference 
on  the  outcome  of  our  season. 

Campbell  College,  Oak  Ridge  Military  Institute  and  Atlantic  Christian 
College  are  Horth  Carolina  teams  having  fine  records.  Oak  Eidge  especially  is 
outstanding.  They  havo  been  conceded  the  Southern  Prexo  championship  for  the 
last  year  or  so  by  a number  of  sports  writers. 

Hew  Eiver  State,  Potomac  State  Teachers’  College  and  Gallaudet  teams  come 
from  West  Virginia,  Virginia  and  the  District  of  Columbia,  respectively. 
Gallaudet  is  -probably  the  best  known.  Last  year  this  team  had  on  its  roster 
the  third  highest  individual  scorer  in  the  country.  However,  Hew  Eiver  State  has 
been  West  Virginia  Conference  Champion  for  the  last  two  years  and  has  lost  only 
two  games  in  that  period. 

The  remaining  games  with  Fort  Monroe,  Qaantico  Marines  and  Apprentice  School 
are  among  the  hardest  we  have,  as  these  teams  will  give  a good  account  of  them- 
selves in  any  contest.  Fort  Monroe  is  an  old  rival  of  Langley,  and  an  athletic 
contest  between  them  always  results  in  intense  feeling  on  the  -part  of  both 
teams’  partisans.  Atlantic  University  is  a newcomer  and  unknown,  but  can  be  a 
tartar  if  not  watched  closely. 

0O0 

WAR  DEPARTMENT  OEDERS  AFFECT I HG  AIE  CORPS  OFFICERS 

Changes  of  Station:  Lieut .-Colonel  Gerald  C.  Brant,  Mitchel  Field,  to  the 
Hawaiian  Department,  sailing  from  Hew  York  about  October  28th. 

Captain  Asa  J.  Etheridge,  Self ridge  Field,  to  Hawaiian  Department,  sailing 
from  Hew  York  City  about  October  28th. 

Assignment  of  Major  Lawrence  S.  Churchill,  Langley  Field,  to  duty  as 
student  at  Air  Corps  Tactical  School,  revoked. 

Major  Leo  G.  Heffernan  relieved  as  Commandant  of  Air  Corps  Technical 
School,  Chanute  Field,  111.,  Lieut. -Col.  Jacob  W.S.  Wuest  being  assigned  to 
this  position. 

Captain  Calvin  E.  Giffin  assigned  to  duty  at  Maxwell  Field  instead  of 
Chanute  Field. 

1st  Lieut.  Ernest  E.  Harmon,  upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in  Panama 
Canal  Department,  to  Mitchel  Field,  H.Y. 

1st  Lieut.  Maxwell  W.  Balfour,  Walter  Reed  General  Hospital,  to  report  to 
Army  Retiring  Board  for  examination. 

1st  Lieut.  Alfred  W.  Marriner,  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas,  to  Chanute  Field. 

1st  Lieut.  Walter  B.  Hough,  Mitchel  Field,  to  office  Chief  of  Air  Corps. 

1st  Lieut.  Wallace  G.  Smith,  Chanute  Field,  to  Materiel  Division,  Wright 
Field,  Dayton,  Ohio. 


-275- 


V-6075,  A.C. 


1st  Lieut.  Roscoe  C.  Wrist on,  Maxwell  Field,  to  Chanute  Field,  111. 

1st  Lieut.  Earle  S.  Partridge  from  United  States  Military  Academy,  West 
Point  N.Y. , to  Panama  Canal  Dent.,  sailing  from  New  York  City  about  Oct.  23rd. 

1st  Lieut.  Stanton  ;T.  ' Smith,  Kelly  Field,  to  duty  with  Organized  Reserves, 
5th  Corps  Area,  Fort  Benjamin  Harrison,  Ind. 

1st  Lieut.  JoanJM.  Weikert  from  Chanute  Field  to  United  States  Military 
Academy , West  Point,  N.Y. 

. 1st  Lieut.  Russell  M.  Greenslade  from  Hew  York  City  to  Chanute  Field, 
Rantoul,  111. 

1st  Lieut.  Frederick  D.  Lynch,  Kelly  Field,  to  Dodd  Field,  Fort  Sam  Houston, 
Texas. 

2nd  Lieut.  Robert  K.  Giovannoli,  Selfridge  Field,  to  Bolling  Field,  D.C. 

2nd  Lieut.  Reginald  F.C.  Vance,  Langley  Field,  to  Aberdeen  Proving  Ground. 

2nd  Lieut.  Samuel  W.  Van  Meter  from  Fort  Riley  to  Air  Corns  Training 
Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas. 

Upon  completion  of  course  of  instruction  and  temporary  duty  at  Air  Corps 
Training  Center,  Duncan  Field,  following-named  officers  to  March  Field,  Calif., 
for  duty:  2nd  Lieuts.  Edward  H.  Alexander  and  Paul  B.  Wurt smith  from  Self ridge 
Field;  2nd  Lieuts.  Harley  A.  Grater,  William  A.  Matheny,  Ralph  A.  Murphy  and 
James  H.  Wallace  from  Langley  Field;  Eugene  H.  Rice  from  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Tex. 

Following-named  officers  to  Air  Corps  Training  Center  for  duty:  2nd  Lieuts. 
Orrin  L.  Grover  and  Kenneth  A.  Rogers,  Selfridge  Field;  Guy  F.  Hix,  Fort  Riley, 
Kansas;  George  F.  Kinzie  and  Raymond  L.  Winn,  Fort  Crockett,  Texas;  William  H. 
McArthur,  Maxwell  Field. 

Detailed  to  the  Air  Corns,  and  to  Brooks  Field  for  flying  training:  1st 
Lieut.  Wm.  V.  Gray,  Infantry;  2nd  Lieut.  Morris  J.  Lee,  Cavalry;  to  March  Field, - 
2nd  Lieut.  Walter  E.  Ahern,  Infantry.  * ■ 

Relieved  from  detail  to  Air  Corps:  2nd  Lieut.  Raymond  E.  Bell,  Inf.,  to 
Infantry  School,  Fort  Benning,  Ga. ; 2nd  Lieut.  Basil  L.  Riggs,  Cavalry,  to 
Cavalry  School,  Fort  Riley,  Kansas,  for  duty  as  student;  1st  Lieut.  'Walter  D. 
Buie  to  Hawaiian  Department  for  duty  with  Infantry;  2nd  Lieut.  John  P.  Kidwell 
to  11th  Infantry,  Fort  Benjamin  Harrison,  Ind.  ;■  2nd  Lieut.  Wm.  F.  McKee  to 
Panama  Canal  Zone  for  duty  with  Coast  Artillery;  2nd  Lieut.  Wm.  P.  Connally  to 
Field  Artillery,  2nd  Division,  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas. 

Transferred  to  Air  Corns:  2nd  Lieut.  James  E.  Briggs,  Field  Artillery, 
rank  from  June  9 , 1928 . : . 

Reserve  Officers  detailed  to  extended  active  duty:  2nd  Lieuts.  Thaddeus 
Terry,  Los  Angeles,  Calif.,  to  Rockwell  - Field,  Calif.;  Olin  Lincoln  Day,  Belmont, 
111.,  to  Scott  Field,  111.,  Douglas  Field  Woolley,  Alameda,  Calif.,  to  Crissy 
Field,  Calif.;  Paul  Montgomery  Norman,  Des  Moines,'  Iowa,  to  Selfridge  Field, 
Mich.,  Sept.  1,  1930,  to  June  30,  1931  — Richard  B.  Stith,  Hollywood,  Calif., 
to  Rockweil  Field,  Sent.  11,  1930,  March  9,  1931  — George  Sheldon  Stead, 

Norwich,  N.Y.,  to  Mitchel  Field,  IT-.Y. , Sept.  15,  1930,  to  June  30,  1931.- 

Promotion:  2nd  Lieut.  Walter  G.  Bryte,  Jr.,  to  1st  Lieutenant,  rank  from 
September  4,  1930. 

Resignations : 1st  Lieut.  Kenneth  Garrett,-  2nd  Lieuts.  Hudson  Chadwick,  Jr. 
and  Samuel  James  Simonton. 

Change  of  Name:  Captain  Robert  Oldys  to  Robert  Olds. 

oOo 

CONTRACTS  FOR  NEW  AIR  CORPS  EQUIPMENT 

Contracts  for  new  Army  Air  Corps  equipment',  "involving  an  expenditure  of 
$306,657.98,  were  recently  approved  by.  the  Assistant  Secretary  of  War. 

The  Stout  Metal  Airplane  Company  Division  of  the  Ford  Motor  Company, 
Dearborn,  Mich.,  is  to  begin  construction  for  the  Air  Corps  of  four  Model  C-4A 
tri-motored  Cargo  planes  at  a cost,  including  spare  parts  and  drawings,  of 
$157,391.40.  These  airplanes  will  be  powered  with  Pratt  & Whitney  R-1340-D 
"Wasp"  engines.  • 

[The  Pratt  & Whitney  Aircraft  Company,  of  Hartford,-  'Cohn. , received  a con- 
tract for  $132,629.58,  covering  24  Type  R-1340-D  "Wasp"  engines  and  spare’ parts, 
twelve  of  which  will  be  installed  in  the  Cargo -planes  above  referred  to,  the  re- 
mainder to  be  used  as  snares. 

Under  its  contract  with  the  Detroit  Aircraft  Corporation,  Detroit,  Mich., 
the  Air  Corps  will  receive  in  the  near  future,  one  -Detroit  Lockheed  fast  single- 
engined  (air-cooled  type)  Transport  plane.  This  plane,  which  will  cost  $16,637, 
including  drawings,  will  be  equipped  with  an;  SR-1340-C  "Wasp"  engine. 

-276r  . ~ V-6075 ,A. C. 


ARMY  AIRMAIL  MAKES  LONG-  JOURNEY  ON  HORSEBACK 

Major  Harrison  H.  C.  Richards,  who  recently  reported  to  the  Primary  Plying 
School  at  Brooks  Pield,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  for  duty  as  Executive  Officer,  made 
the.  entire  trip  from  Port  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  a distance  of  1,050  miles,  on 
horseback,  using  his  polo  pony  as  a pack  horse.  Averaging  approximately  33 
miles  a day,  he  accomplished  the  trip  in  32  days. 

Had  Major  Richards  used  the  latest  mode  of  transportation  he  would  have 
accomplished  the  journey  in  about  ten  hours. 

oOo — - 


CHANGES  IN  PERSONNEL  AT  PRIMARY  PLYING  SCHOOL,  BROOKS  PIELD 

Captain  L.R.  Knight,  who  has  been  Director  of  GROUND  INSTRUCTION  at  the 
Primary  Plying  Sc;ool  at  Brooks  Pield,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  for  the  past  2-|- 
years,  was  assigned  as  Director  of  Training.  Pirst  Lieutenant  Donald  D. 

Pit z Gerald,  Senior  Instructor  in  the  Ground  School  for  about  two  years,  succeed- 
ed Captain  Knight  as  Director  of  Ground  Instruction.  Pirst  Lieut.  Robert  D. 
Knapp  was  appointed  Director  of  Plying  ana  Operations  in  -place  of  Captain 
Chennault  who  is  now  at  the  Air  Corps  Tactical  School. 

First  Lieut.  Robert  W.  Harper,  Secretary  of  the  Air  Corps -Primary  Plying 
.School  since  1928,  received  War  Department  orders  transferring  him  to  the 
Philippine  Department  for  a two-year  tour  of  duty. 

Lieut.  Harper  was  assigned  as  Assistant  Director  of  Plying  in  1927,  and 
the  following  year  was  detailed  to  organize  the  Secretary’s  Office,  which  he 
did  in  an  able  and  efficient  manner.  C _ - 

oOo 

A SOLDIER 

The  passing  civilian,  glimpsing  a man  in  Army  uniform,  is  prone  to  dismiss 
the  soldier  as  one  trained  in  the  profession  of  arms  alone.  Nothing  could  be 
farther  from  the  facts. 

In  the  ranks  of  the  U.S.  Army  today  are  soldiers  with  a diversity  of  in- 
terests not  usually  associated  with  martial  men.  There,  are  budding  artists 
whose  canvasses  have  elicited  praise,  musicians  who  are  hailed  as  maestros 
in  the  making,  writers  who  are  making  the  best  of  pulp  paper  magazines  - to 
mention  but  three  of  the  fine  arts. 

A case  in  "point  is  that  of  a machine  gunner  at  a northwestern  Army  post. 
Five  days  a week  this  soldier’s  skilled  fingers  curl  about  the  trigger  of  a 
chattering  Browning  machine  gun.  Sunday  the  same  fingers  of  the  soldier  play 
upon  the  keys  of  a magnificent  pipe  organ  in  a church  of  an  adjacent  big  city. 
The  machine  gunner’s  artistry  on  the  key-board  of  the  throbbing  organ  stirs 
the  congregation  and  music  lovers,  according  to  the  report,  and  the  man  has 
been  acclaimed  a musical  genius. 

It  would  be  revealing,  indeed,  to  our  civilian  friends  if  some  respectable 
agency  made  a survey  of  the  "hobbies"  of  our  talented  Regulars  and  published 
the  results  of  such  a canvass. 

The  United  States  Army  not  only  builds  men.  It  brings  out  the  inherent, 
latent  talent  in  the  individual  soldier  and  spurs  that  man  on  to  the  exercise 
of  his  particular  gift  until  he  reaches  the  heights  for  which  his  endowments 
fit  him.  - Maxwell  Pield  News  Weekly. 

— — oOo 

NEW  BASIC  TRAINING  PLANES  FOR  BROOKS  FIELD 

Brooks  Pield  received  notice  that  the  first  eight  of  their  new  BT-2’s 
will  be  ready  for  ferrying  from  the  Douglas  factory  at  Santa  Monica.,  Calif.  , in 
the  very  near  future.  The  following-named  officers  are  scheduled  to  introduce 
these  planes  to  Texas  climate; 

Pirst  Lieuts.  D.D . FitzGerald,  H.M.  Turner,  R.W.  Harper,  2nd  Lieut s.  E.H. 
Porter,  E.J.  Rogers,  C.H.  Deerwester,  J.C.  Dennis ton  and  L.P.  Turner. 

— — o.Oo 

Maxwell  Pield,  Montgomery,  Ala.,  recently  received  a number  of  horses,  all 
of  them  more  or  less  trained  for  Polo  work.  Plans  are  under  way  for  the  organi- 
zation of  a polo  team.  Candidates  for  the  team  are  no  doubt  practicing  how  to 
avoid  nose  dives  from  low  altitudes. 

-277- 


V-6075 ,A. C. 


SLOW  FLYING  IN  TRAINING  TYPE  PLANES 

Traveling  at  an  average  speed,  of  some  50  miles  an  hour  " isn’t  so  hot"  in 
these  progressive  days,  hat  that  is  what  actually  transpired  during  a 380-mile 
flight  of  Missouri  Reserve'  officers  to  Sioux  Falls,  S.D.,  on  Labor  Day. 

According  to  the  News  Letter  Correspondent,  the  trip,  made  in  three  "hops" 
by  five  PT-l's  and  one  0-11,  required  over  six  hours  of  flying  time.  Strong 
head  winds  encountered  most  of  the  way  retarded  the  progress  of  the  seven  Re- 
serve officers  and  three  Air  Corps  privates  who  made  the  journey  to  Sioux  Falls 
to  participate  in  the  Third  Annual  Airfair  at  that  place.  "Airfair"  is  a new 
word  to  remember. 

The  aerial  activities  were  scheduled  for  Labor  Day  and  the  three  following 
days,  bit  the  visiting  airmen  did  not  stay  for  the  entire  show,  returning  the 
second  day  after  arrival.  Some  of  the  officers  who  made  the  flight  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Organized  Reserve  Camp  held  at  Richards  Field,  Kansas  City,  Mo., 
August  31st  to  September  13th. 

Captain  William  "Bill"  Wright,  the  affable  C.O.  of  Richards,  who  was  in 
command  of  the  expedition,  and  the  following  officers  and  enlisted  men  partici- 
pated in  the  flight:  Major  Thomas  L.  Dawson;  Captain  John  W.  Ranson;  2nd  Lts. 
Robert  M.  Eurtt;  Alfred  D.  Hillman;  Ben  A.  Sweeney;  Homer  L.  Bredouv;  Private 
Dan  O'Connell,  E.R.C.;  Privates  Clarence  M.  Parks  and  John  S,  Micek. 

Some  of  the  old  time  PT  pilots  cussed  the  flight  leader,.  Lieut.  Bartt  - a 
novice  in  the  art  of  catering  to  the  vagaries  of  PT's,  for  taking  Captain 
Wright's  instructions  on  saving  his  motor  too  literally,  especially  as  he  was 
herding  the  slowest  air  cruiser  of  the  lot.  Major  Dawson  complained  that  he 
fell  off  into  several  swins  .trying  to  keen  behind.  That  complaint  wasn't  the 
worst,  however,  as  he  landed  at  Offutt  Field,  Omaha,  Nebraska,  with  less  than 
a gallon  of  gas  in  his  tanks. . 

The  Airfair  officials  did  themselves  nroud  in  the  manner  in  which  .they 
entertained  the  aerial  cavalcade  from  Kansas  City.  Having  had  some  experience 
from  two  previous  years,  every  move  that  was  made  followed  the  most  approved 
ethics  and  practice  for  the  comfort  of  visiting  aviators. 

On  the  way  up,  In  due  respect  to  Private  Parks  who  lived  at  Larchwood,  a 
few  miles  east  of  Sioux  Falls,  the  formation  veered  out  of  its  way  a bit  to 
execute  a formidable  PT  power  dive  on  Private  Parks'  home  town.  All  of  the 
fifty  inhabitants  crowded  the  main  drag  and  waved  vigorously.  We  felt  that 
their  hearts  were  swelling  with  pride  at  this  tribute  from  the  skies  to  the 
local  boy  who  had  gone  to  the  big  city  and  made  good. 

— oOo 

BAD  NEWS  FOR  KELLY  FIELD  AUTOMOHLE  OWNERS 

The  News  Letter  Correspondent  states  that  Kelly  Field  has  instituted  some- 
thing new  in  the  way  of  traffic  control.  An  automobile  pound  has  been  estab- 
lished on  the  post,  and  careless  persons,  caught  speeding,  parking  in  forbidden 
places,  and  committing  other  violations  of  traffic  regulations  lose  the  use  of 
their  cars,  said  cars. being  stored  in  the  Post  Garage. 

— -oOo 

NEW  PARACHUTES  ISSUED  AT  KELLY  FIELD 

As  the  native  from  Sunny  Italy  would  put  it  in  American  language  - "Big  a 
da  man,  big  a da  'chute,"  and  which  is  as  it  should  be.  According  to  the  Kelly 
Field  Correspondent,  eleven  "super  parachutes"  were  recently  issued  to  eleven 
"supermen,"  each  weighing  over  180  -pounds.  The  new  'chutes,  which  have  a 
diameter  of  28  feet  as  against  24  feet  for  the  regulation  type,  were  issued  to 
Captain  Orlo  H.  Quinn,  Lieuts.  E.H.  White,  E.T.  Rundquist,  Lester  J.  Maitland, 
L.  S.  Smith,  I.L.  Proctor,  Dale  V.  Gaffney,  Bernard  S . Thompson,  LaVerne 
Saunders  and  R.B.  Lea. 

Wonder  how  these  eleven  men  would  stack  up  as  a football  combination? 

oOo— r- 


-278- 


V-6075,  A.C, 


NOTES  FROM  AIR  CORPS  FIELDS 

Primary  Flying  School,  March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif..  August  27th. 

Second  Lieut.  William  B.  Blaufuss,  Air  Corps-,  is  at  present  in  Letterman 
General  Hospital  suffering  from  sun-stroke  which  occurred  at  Trono,  Calif.,  on 
August  24th.  Lieut.  Blaufuss  with  other  officers  journeyed  with  the  March 
Field  "baseball  team  to  Trono  the  previous  day  to  play  a two-game  series  with 
the  ball  team  from  the  large  potash  plant  located  there.  Trono  is  on  the  edge 
of  Death  Valley,  and  the  temperature  sometimes  reaches  130  degrees  in  the  shade 
with  no  shade.  On  Sunday  afternoon,  in  order  to  get  relief  from  the  intense 
heat,  Lieut.  Blaufuss  sought  refuge  in  the  large  swimming  pool  located  in  the 
town.  While  sitting  on  the  raft  in  the  middle  of  the  pool,  others  noticed  a 
peculiar  expression  appear  on  his  face,  and  he  fell  off  backwards  into  the 
pool.  No  one  paid  much  attention  to  this,  because  they  thought  that  he  was 
just  performing  a funny  dive.  However,  after  a short  time,  they  became  con- 
cerned and  went  down  after  him.  He  lay  unconscious  on  the  bottom  of  the  pool. 
Taken  immediately  to  the  town  hospital,  the  local  doctor  stated  that  it  was 
the  severest  case  of  sun- stroke  and  near  drowning  he  had  ever  seen.  On  Monday 
he  was  transferred  to  the  Letterman  General  Hospital  by  -plane. 

Captain  R.C.W.  Blessley,  until  recently  Director  of  Flying,  left  August 
26th  on  a month*  s leave  prior  to  reporting  to  his  new  station,  Selfridge  Field. 
First  Lieut.  Paul  L.  Williams  was  assigned  as  Director  of  Flying  in  his  place. 

The  Flying  Cadet  Detachment  has  been  practicing  formal  retreat  parades. 
Within  a week  it  is  the  intention  to  have  formal  parade  at  retreat  to  which 
the  public  will  be  invited.  The  Cadets  make  a very  creditable  showing  in  their 
blue  uniforms  and  rifles  and, with  a full  band  present,  the  ceremony  goes  off 
with  all  the  finish  and  perfection  of  a retreat  parade  at  West  Point  - with 
greatly  reduced  numbers,  however. 

After  years  in  their  scabbards,  sabers  are  now  being  drawn.  Heretofore,  a 
watchman  system  of  guard  has  existed  at  March  Field,  but  recently  a regular 
twenty-four  hour  system  has  been  installed,  with  an  informal  guard  mount  each 
evening.  Just  -prior  to  going  on  guard,  the  Officer  of  the  Day  can  be  seen 
each  afternoon  with  a M.I.G.D.  in  his  hands  brushing  up  on  how  it  should  be 
done.  So  far  no  casualties  have  occurred  by  drawing  sabers,  but  several  clipped 
ears  and  torn  hat  brims  have  been  noticed  on  officers  about  the  field. 

Major  Chauncey  L.  Chase,  M.C.,  Flight  Surgeon  at  I, (larch  Field  for  the  past 
three  years,  was  around  bidding  his  many  friends  good-bye,  prior  to  his  depart- 
ure for  Mitchel  Field,  L.I.,  New  York,  to  which  station  he  was  transferred.  He 
goes  with  the  sincere  good  wishes  of  all  members  of  this  command  with  whom  he 
has  been  associated  during  this  period. 

Fort  Sixl,  Oklahoma,  September  9th. 

Orders  were  received  for  the  return  to  Duncan  Field  of  the  three  PT-3A* s 
which  had  been  assigned  to  this  station  for  the  last  few  months.  Captain  L.P. 
Hickejr,  2nd  Lieuts.  Charles  K.  Moore  and  Douglas  T.  Mitchell  returned  these 
ships'. 

The  last  of  our  old  flying  equipment,  three  Douglas  02-H  planes,  were 
ferried  to  Duncan  Field  by  Lieuts.  Jackson,  Chadwick  and  Maughan.  Upon  the  ar- 
rival of  our  allotment  of  Thomas  Morse  planes,  all  the. 02-H* s were  turned  in 
at  Duncan  Field. 

First  Lieut.  Winfield  S.  Hamlin, recently  transferred  here  from  the 
Philip-pine  Department,  reported  for  duty  after  30  days’  leave. 

Second  Lieut.  Claire  Stroh  reported  here  from  Chanute  Field  and  was  as- 
signed to  duty  as  Photographic  Officer. 

Second  Lieuts.  Kenneth  P.  McNaughton  and  George  V.  Holloman  were  granted 
leave  before  reporting  to  their  new  station,  Chanute  Field. 

1st  Lieut.  Vic.  Beau,  Regular  Army  instructor  with  the  National  Guard 
Squadron  at  Denver,  Colorado,  was  on  ten  days'  detached  service  with  the  45th 
Division  National  Guard  which  was  on  two  weeks*  active  duty  at  Fort  Sill. 

Captain  Neal  Creighton  and  2nd  Lieut.  Dudley  E.  Whitten  started  for 
Denver,  Colorado,  but  were  forced  down  at  Wiley,  Colorado,  on  account  of  motor 
trouble.  It  was  necessary  to  install  a new  motor. 

General  Dorey,  Commander  of  the  8th  Corps  Area,  with  his  aide,  Lieut. 

Adams,  arrived  from  San  Antonio  and  stooped  overnight. 

-279- 


V-6075,  A.C. 


Colonel  George  P.  Tyner,  Chief  of  Staff,  8 th  Corps -Area,- piloted,  by  Lieut. 
Prince,  arrived  from  San  -Antonio,  remained  overnight  and  returned  the  next  day. 

Captain  Neal  Creighton  returned  from  Pi tz simmons  General  Hospital,  Denver, 
Colo. , to  resume  command  of  the  Pirst  Balloon  Company. 

Crissy  Field,  Presidio  of  Sen  Francisco.,  'C&itf . , August.  19th. 

On  August  11th,'  the  Hon.  P.  Qhuhee  Davison,  Assistant  Secretary  of  War  for 
Aeronautics , accompanied  hy  Mr.  Adaiiiscn,  his  assistant.  Major  D.C.  Emmons'  and 
Captain  Ira  0.  -Faker,  visited  Crissy  Field  and.  the  San  Francisco  Bay  area,  where 
new  Air  Corps  projects  are  in  progress.  ‘ 

Several  of  the  hoys  just  received  their  orders  to  report  to  the  Air  Corps 
Technical  School  at  Chanute  Pield.  Lieut s.  Cullen,  Hansen  and  Fernanda  are 
talcing,  the  photographic  course;  Lieut.,  Lindsay.,  line  maintenance,  and  Lieut.' 
Ball,  the  Armament  course.  .They.. we  re  scheduled  to  leave  'San  Francisco  on  the 
Transport  sailing  September,  12th. . .. 

Some  new  planes  are  scheduled  for  Crissy  Pield  shortly.  One  is  a C~7» 
which  is  a tri-motored  Fokker  and  a replacement  for  the  Douglas  Transport  which 
was  condemned  hy  Engineering  Officer  Paul  Wilkins.  He  happened  to  notice  that 
the  tail  surfaces  were  coming  off  prior  to  a take-off  of  the  Transport -in  which 
he,  was  to  he  a passenger. 

Boston  Airport,  East  Boston,  Mass. , August  30th. 

During  this  month  the  following  visitors  arrived  and  departed  from,  this 
station  in  order  of. notation: 

Captain  Lynd,  pilot,  and  Captain  Stribli'ng,  passenger,  Bolling  Pield  and  • 
return;  Lieut . Merryweather,  solo,  Mitchel  Field  and  return;  .Sfejor  H.M.Hickam,' 
solo,  Bolling,  and  return;  Lieut,  :Arthur.  1.  Ennis  and  lit .7 Col . tta  Longanecker, 
Bolling  and  return;.  Lieut,  Milligan,  pilot,  Sgt . Elackden,  Mitchel  Pield  and 
return;  Lieut.  1 ,H . Buracmer U..S  .IT. , pilot,  and  Lieut.  L.M.  Grant,  U.S’.IT. , 
Philadelphia;  and  return;  Lieut.  Davenport, . pilot,  and/Lieut.  Starrett , Mitchel 
via  Manchester  and  return  .via  Hyannis;  Lieut.  P.E.  Johnston,  pilot,  and  Lieut. 
Mulligan,  Mitchen  and  return;  Lieut.  Grant,  U. S’.H*,  solo,  Philadelphia,  via  Hew 
Bedford  and  return;  Major  Gilkeson,  pilot,  and  Major  Mitchell,  Wright  Field, 
via  Schenectady,  and  return  via  Mitchel  Field;  Lieut.  St ram than,  pilot,  and 
General  Brown,  Bolling  via  Martha*  s Vineyard  and  return;  Lieut.  J.S.  Gullet, 
Solo,  Bolling  Field, via  Mitchel  and.  return;  Lieut.  Cook,  pilot,  and  Colonel 
Brady,  Mitchel  -Field  and  return;  Lieut,  Swen,  solo,  Philadelphia  .via  Portsmouth 
and  return  via  Mitchel;  Lieut.  Evans »’  pilot,  and  Private  Scarhof 6 , .Mitchel  and 
return;  Lieut . . Stranathan ,=  pilot., 'and  General  Preston  Brown,  Bolling  and  re- 
turn; Lieut.  Warren,  pilot,  and  Private  Mc'Quade , Mitchel  and  return  via  Fort 
Ethan  Allen.  ’ . 

Cross-country  flights  from  this  station  during  this  month,  included  a 
ferrying  mission  from  Middletown;  several  trips  hy  Congresswoman  Pagers  with' 
Lieut , Wilson  as  pilot;  an  airport  ..opening  at  Caribou,  Maine,  flown  hy  Captain 
Ford,  Lieut, s.  Wilson  and  Geer;  trips  to  Edgar  town,  Keene,  .Newport , Fitchburg,' 
Hyannis,  Fort  Ethan  Allen,.  Bolling,  Mitchel,.. and  Middlebury , Vermont. 

• Under  the  impetus  of  the  excellent  flying  time  total  .of  317  hours,  40 
minutes,  hung  up  in  June  - a record  for  stations  of  comparable  size  to  shoot 
at  - the  Reserve  unit  continued  a commendable  response  to  the  efficient  and 
sympathetic  cooperation  of  their  administrative  officers,'.  Captain  Ford,  Lieut s . 
Wilson  and  Geer.  Practically  the  entire 'group  of  active  Reserve  pilots  is 
participating  in  the  summer  training  either  at  this  station  or  at  Mitchel 
Field.  Captains  Charles  Blake,  Charles  Clark,  .and  George.  H.  Lusk  completed 
tours  at  the  Boston  Airport.  " ' : 

Third  Attack  Grout),  Fort  Crockett, . Texas,  August  15th.' 

Second  Lieut.  S. J.  Simonton,  8th  Attack  Squadron,  tendered  his  resignation 
from  the  Army  in  order  to  become  assistant  to  Lieut.- Colonel  John  H.  Jouett, 
head  of  the  Aviation  Department  of ' the  Standard  Oil  Co.  of  Louisiana.  Lieut. 
Simonton  was  head  coach  of  the'  Fort  Crockett  football,  team,  8th  Corps  Area 
champs  last  year.  The  team  will. miss  his  excellent  .coaching  this  year. 

- Captain  Lotha  Smith,  8th  Attack  Squadron,  has  gohe  on  a 45-day  leave. 

Capt.  and  Mrs.  Smith  will  drive  to  Michigan  for  a visit. 

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V-6075,  A.C. 


Initial  practice  of  the  Fort  Crockett  football  team  was  called  on  Friday, 
August  15th.  First  Lieut.  Alfred  Lindebufcg  was  appointed  head  coach.  This 
officer  has  coached  at  Langley  Field  and  helped  to  win  the  3rd  Corps  Area 
championship  for  them  sometime  ago.  It  looks  like  another  hig  year  for  Fort 
Crockett. 

Third  Attack  Group,  Fort  Crockett,  Texas.  September  1st. 

The  Fort  Crockett  football  team,  otherwise  known  as  the  "Golden  Tide,"  is 
rapidly  rounding  into  shape  for  a reported  tough  season,  ahead.  Forty- three  men 
reported  to  Lieut.  Alfred  Linde burg,  head  coach,  on  the  15th  of  August.  The 
boys  look  pretty  good  to  repeat  their  performance  of  last  year,  when  they, 
copped  the  8th  Corps  Area  championship . 

Second  Lieut.  Thomas  L.  Mosely,  13th  Attack  Squadron,  was  the  sole  repre- 
sentative of  the  GroU'p  at  the  Air  Corps  Gunnery  fetches  held  at  Langley  Field. 

The  Group  is  losing  two  well  liked  officers  in  Lieut s.  George  F.Kinzie 
and  Raymond  L.  Winn,  who  are  being  sent  to  Duncan  Field  for  a tour  of  duty. 

Information  was  received  to  the  effect  that  the  Group  will  receive  two 
new  Ford  tri-motor  Transports  for  permanent  station  here. 

Nichols  Field.  Rizal.  P. I..  August  7th. 

Snd  Observation  Squadron;  During  July,  three  Douglas  02-H  airplanes  put 
in  a total  of  over  140  hours’  flying  time.  This  time  was  divided  between  for- 
mation flying,  radio  practice,  routine  flying  and  a number  of  missions  with  the 
Phil ippine  Divi s ion . 

66th  Service  Squadron;  Technical  Sergeant  Alvan  Kill gore,  appointed  fester 
Sergeant  on  June  22nd  and  transferred  to  the  41st  School  Squadron,  Kelly  Field, 
will  leave  on  the  October  Transport . 

Staff  Sgt.  William  B.  Fox  was  appointed  Technical  Sergeant  on  July  10th. 
Sergeant  AM  l/cl.  Harry  Meyers  was  appointed  Staff  Sergeant  on  July  15th.  Cpl.' 
AM  l/cl.  Phillip  B.  England  was  appointed  Sgt.  AM  l/cl.  on  the  same  day. 

Headquarters  Detachment,  4th  Composite  Group:  Technical  Sergeant  Biley 
replaced  Technical  Sergeant  felloy,  who  is  now  with  the  28th  Bombardment  Squad- 
ron. Sergeant  Miller  replaced  Sergeant  Dobbs,  who  has  gone  to  the  2nd  Observa- 
tion Squadron. 

6th  Photo  Section;  The  entire  section  is  busily  engaged  in  the  renova- 
tion of  the  Laboratory  and  its  equipment.  This  work  embraces  Aerial  (roof  and 
ceiling)  and  Ground  (walls  and  floors).  We  are  very  fortunate  in  having  among 
us  a few  people  who  can  sideslip  a wicked  paint  brush.  Have  had  only  a few 
casualties.  One  student  and  a can  of  paint  went  into  a tail  spin  at  a six  foot 
altitude,  but  that  was  to  be  expected  in  such  a daring  venture.  Between 
periods  we  have  lawn  parties,  one  Mr.  Grass  Mower  being  the  host. 

28th  Bombardment  Squadron:  This  organization  was  designated  to  check, 
service  and  test  14  new  Boeing  P~12B's  for  delivery  to  the  Third  Pursuit  Squad- 
ron at  Clark  Field. 

Captain  Edward  C.  Black  took  over  command  of  the  Squadron  August  1st,  re- 
lieving Captain  A.W.  Brock,  Jr.,  who  returns  to  the  States  on  the  October  boat. 
The  Squadron  wishes  Captain  Brock  the  best  of  luck  at  his  new  station,  Langley. 

fester  Sergeant  "Jake"  Holtzman,  of  Chanute  Field,  arrived  on  the  June 
boat  and  announced  his  intention  of  revolutionizing  the  Armament  situation  in 
the  Philippines.  "Jake"  is  not  the  first  to  arrive  here  all  steamed  up.  They 
soon  slow  down,  however. 

Our  beloved  comrade,  Staff  Sgt.  Atkins,  is  marked  "quarters,"  suffering 
with  what  he  calls  dengue.  A thirty-day  "solo  flight"  to  Baguio  was  prescribed. 

Advanced  Flying  School.  Kelly  Field.  Texas,  September  3rd. 

Mr.  Lester  A.  Hendricks,  Assistant  Badio  Engineer,  Wright  Field,  Dayton, 
Ohio,  arrived  at  Kelly  Field  September  2nd  for  the  purpose  of  adjusting  the 
Kelly  Field  radio  beacon.  The  frequency  is  to  be  changed  from  its  present  one 
of  293  KC  to  311  KC. 

The  Kelly  Field  theatre  has  installed  sound  equipment  for  talking  -pictures. 

The  42nd  School  Squadron,  winner  of  the  Kelly  Field  baseball  -pennant,  en- 
gaged the  2nd  Field  Artillery  of  Fort  Sam  Houston  in  a five-game  series  at 
League  park,  San  Antonio,  in  a wlay  off  for  the  championship,  from  August  26th 

-281-  " V-6075/A.C. 


to  August  30th.  Somewhat  .unlucky : on  the  getaway,  the  Kelly  Field.' aggregation 
lost  the  first  two  games  by  the  scores  of  2 to  12  and  4 to  5.  Starting  with 
the  third  game  of  the  series,  Kelly  Field  -presented  a different  style  of  hall 
playing  and  battled  their  way  to  three  c onsecutive  victories.  The  third  game 
was  won  10  to  9,  Kelly  using  three  pitchers  to  cover  eleven  innings.  The 
fourth  game  was  entered  with  more  gusto-  and  spirit  and  Kelly  defeated  the  2nd 
Brigade  3 to  7.  The  final  game  of  the  series  was  a nerve- raclier.  Up  to  the 
6th  inning  the  Artillery  boys  had  only  made  three  hits,  but  they  scored  seven 
runs  in  the  Sth  and  7th  innings.  The  game  lasted  ten  innings,  Kelly  scoring 
three  runs  in  the  tenth  to  win  the  game  and  the  series.  The  cup. was  awarded 
Kelly  Field  by  the  Athletic  Officer  of  Fort  Sam  Houston  after. the  final  game. 

The  E.  & R.  Officer  of  Kelly  Field  is  now  grooming  his  men  for  a hard 
football  season,  as  the  23rd  Infantry  have  most  of  their  old  players  from  the 
last  two  seasons  while  Kelly  has  suffered  the  loss  of  Lieuts.  "Light  Horse 
Harry"  Wilson,  "Chuck"  Meehan  and  "Iron  Man"  Saunders.  As  usual,  Lieut.  Pat 
Booker  will  be  the  coach. 

Primary  Flying  School.  Brooks  Field.  San  Antonio,  Texas,  August  21st. 

Numerous  changes  occurred  in  the  commissioned  personnel  at  Brooks  Field 
in  the  past  few  weeks.  Lieut. -Col.  H.  B.  Clagett,  former  Air  Officer,  9th 
Corps  Area,  arrived  in  July  to  take  command  of  the  Primary  Flying  School;  Maj. 
H.H.C.  Richards  arrived  from  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas;  2nd  Lieuts.  J.W. McCauley 
reported  for  duty  from  Post  Field  and  J.1T.  Jones  from  Panama;  Major  S.W. 
FitzGerald,  former  Commanding  Officer;  Major  C.B.  Oldfield,  Executive  Officer; 
and  Captain  G.L.  Chennault,  Operations  Officer,  left  recently  for  Langley  Field, 
and  2nd  Lieut.  R.E.  Randall  left  for  duty  with  the  Military  Academy. 

The  following  officers  will  leave  shortly  for  duty  at  other  stations,  viz: 
1st  Lieut.  R.W.  Harper  and. 2nd  Lieut.  ■■;. M.  Burnside  for  the  Philippines;  2nd 
Lieut.  R.D.  Reeve,  Philippines;  1st  Lieuts.  H.E.  Engler,  S.M.  Connell  and  2nd 
Lieut.  C.H.  Deerwester  for  Chanute  Field;  2nd  Lieut.  A.J.-  Lehman  for  Panama. 

A new  training  ship,  the  PT-S,  five  of  which  have  been  received  at  this 
school,  is  in  experimental  use  on  the  primary  stage.  The  students  who  were 
lucky  enough  to  be  assigned  to  this  ship  are  inclined  to  think  themselves  just 
a little  better  pilots  than  those  on  the  older  PT-3's. 

Due  to  the  efforts  of  the  E.  & R.  Officer,  and  through  the  cooperation  of 
the  Post  Exchange,  a miniature  golf  course  for  the  enlisted  men  lias  been 
completed  and,  to  judge  by  the  crowds,  has  certainly  met  with  approval.  It  is 
without  doubt  the  most  popular  place  on  the  post,  having  replaced  the  swimming 
pool  at  the  head  of  the  list.  A 36-hole  tournament  was  played  last  week  with 
the  first  prize  of  a putter,: a ball,  and  five  dollars,  being  carried  off  by 
Private  H.S.  Lattimer  of  the  51st  Squadron.  The  course  is  probably  the  hardest 
in  San  Antonio,  par  for  the  18  holes  being  58. 

The  Brooks  Field  baseball  team,  though  probably  not  the  best  in  the 
country,  is  without  doubt  one  of  the  best  amateur  teams  around  San  Antonio. 
Having  :seen  most  of  the  games  played,  it  is  safe  to  say  that  with  better  luck 
and  a little  more  experienced  management  the  team  would  have  been  resting  at 
the  top  of  the  Corps  Area  League  instead  of  in  third  place.  This  being  the 
first  year  a team  outside  of  Fort  Sam  Houston  was  entered  in  the  Corps  Area 
League,  the  maroon  nine  was  an  uncertain  quantity,  particularly  after  starting 
off  by  winning  four  straight. 

Adding  to  the  list  of  unusual  accidents  in  the  annals  of  airplane  crashes, 
Flying  Cadet  L.R.  Sandel,  22,  of  the  basic  stage,  miraculously  escaped  instant 
death  on  August  20th,  when  his  plane  crashed  into  a treetop  while  landing, 
about  three  miles  south  of  Brooks  Field.  Cadet  Sandel  was  uninjured,  but  his 
plane  was  completely  demolished.  He  matriculated  in  the  School  from  Orangeburg, 
S.C.  ' 

Lieut.  J.L.  Daniel  just  reported  back  from  two  months,*  leave,  spent  in 
the  City  of  San  Antonio. 

France  Field,  Panama  Canal  Zone,  September  1st. 

After  battling  their  \iaj  through  a spectacular  season  of  victories,  the 
France  Field  Basketball  team  took  the  undisputed  Canal  Zone  Basketball  crown 
when  they  defeated  the.  Bolivar  quintet  (civilian  team)  in  a comedy  of  goals 
which  resulted  in  a 50  to  14  score.  The  finish  of  the  Army  and  Davy  Basketball 

-282-  V-6075,A. C. 


League  season  found  the  France  Field,  cagers  occupying  the  championship : throne 
on  the  Atlantic  side  with  a record  of  only  one  defeat  in  the  13  games  played. 
Their  claim  to  the  League  title  was  opposed  hy  the  Fort  Clayton  five  that  had 
emerged  from  the  season  as  the  championship  team  on  the  Pacific  side.  This 
opposition  was  eliminated  hy  the  France  Field  team  defeating  the  Fort  Clayton 
Doughboys  in  the  first  two  games  of  the  scheduled  three.  The  Bolivar  five, 
title  holders  of  the  Civilian  League,  yielded  the  Zone  championship  hy  taking 
the  short  side  in  the  first  two  games  of  the  scheduled  three-game  championship 
series. 

With  the  close  of  the  Basketball  season,  the  eyes  of  the  Field  are  turn- 
ing toward  the  boxing  team  which  is  being  shipped  into  shape  in  anticipation 
of  the  coming  boxing  season.  The  call  for  ring  material  was  met  by  a number 
of  boys  from  all  classes  who  are  now  faithfully  stepping  their  daily  paces 
in  hopes  of  finding  their  names  on  the  roll  of  the  Post  Team.  The  material 
looks  good  and  from  all  appearances  France  Field  will  be  represented  by  a 
group  of  fast  and  clever  ringsters. 

On  August  15th,  1st  lieuts.  John  M.  Davies,  Donald  W.  Fritch,  Charles  W. 
Lawrence,  Archibald  Y.  Smith  and  2nd  Lieut.  Donald  W.  Buckman  hopped  off  for 
Langley  Field,  Ya. , to  participate  in  the  Annual  Machine  Gun  and  Bombing  Com- 
petition.  The  trip  was  made  in  two  Douglas  02!s  and  a Boeing  P'~90.  Their 
route  was  via  Costa  Rica,  Nicaragua,  Salvador,  Guatemala  and  Mexico. 

Although  the  baseball  season  in  the  States  is  nearing  a close,  the  last 
week  in  August  brought  forth  the  first  call  for  baseball  practice  at  France 
Field  and  in  the  Canal  Zone.  The  various  squadrons  are  now  weeding  through  a 
long  list  of  aspirants  in  order  to  pick  their  squadron  teams,  and  the  first 
games  of  the  Post  series  are  scheduled  to  get  under  way  Sept.  16th.  With 
plenty  of  fielding  and  batting  material  on  hand,  as  well  as  a number  of  good 
mound  prospects,  the  outlook  seems  to  be  for  a strong  Post  team  and  should 
become  better  as  the  Inter- Squadron  Series  takes  off  the  rough  edges  accumulat- 
ed by  the  boys  during  the  layoff  from  last  season. 

Luke  Field,  T.H.,  August  10th. 

Air  training  for  the  month  consisted  of  practice  flights  of  -pilots  to 
maintain  their  proficiency,  and  flights  for  the  training  of  aircraft  crews. 
Ground  training  for  enlisted  personnel  consisted  of  the  regular  maintenance  of 
combat  equipment,  including  training  in  armament,  administration,  airplane 
mechanics  and  other  duties  of  enlisted  personnel;  and  inspection  of  personnel, 
their  quarters  and  equipment.  All  noncommissioned  officers  at  this  station 
received  instruction  in  physical  training,  and  all  troops  received  instruction 
in  close  order  drill. 

On  the  15th,  Lieut.  Anderson  made  a forced  landing  with  a DH  on  Ward  Air- 
port at  11:10  a.m.  Private  C.W.Woolsey  was  the  passenger.  Lieut.  Anderson 
was  flying  at  an  altitude  of  about  5,000  feet  about  two  miles  off  shore  in 
front  of  the  Royal  Hawaiian  Hotel  when  his  motor  cut  out-.  No  damage  was  done 
to  the  DH  and  no  injuries  sustained  by  the  occupants  thereof. 

As  the  three  tactical  squadrons  on  this  field  have  only  3 -planes  in  com- 
mission, consisting  of  four  DH's,  two  Loening  Amphibians  and  two  PW-9’s,  the 
lack  of  adequate  flying  equipment  prevents  carrying  out  any  tactical  training. 

First  Lieut.  Joseph  W.  Benson  was  relieved  as  Assistant  to  the  Post  and 
Group  Operations  Officer  and  detailed  as  Post  and  Group  Personnel  Adjutant, 
vice  1st  Lieut.  W.B.  McCoy,  who  has  been  detailed  in  the  Air  Office  at  Fort 
Shafter . 

Captain  Clarence  B.  Lober  sailed  for  the.- United  States  to  take  up  his 
duties  as  Air  Corps  Representative  with  the  Goodyear  Corporation. 

First  Lieut.  James  F.J.  Early  departed  for  March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif., 
for  duty  as  student  at  the  Primary  Flying  School. 

Major  Carlyle  H.  Wash  was  announced  as  Air  Officer,  Hawaiian  Department, 
to  succeed  Brigadier- General  Henry  C.  Pratt,  who  sailed  on  the  Transport  SOMME 
for  duty  at  Wright  Field,  Ohio. 

Mr.  William  L.  Cooper,  engineer  for  the  Curtis s-.Iright  Aircraft  Corpora- 
tion, arrived  in  the  Department  for  an  inspection  of  airplane  equipment  , manu- 
factured by  his  corporation  and  in  use  at  the  Army  and:  Navy  flying  fields. 

An  invitation  dance  was  held  by  the  enlisted  men  at  Luke  Field  and  invita- 
tions extended  to  the  students  from  the  Universities  of  Oregon  and  Washington 
who  were  in  Honolulu.  Music  was  -furnished  by  the  Luke  Field  orchestra. 

" -233-  V-S075,A.C. 


The  Luke  Field  Flyers  broke  even  in  the  six  baseball  games  played  during 
the  month,  talcing  two  our  of  three  games  from  Fort  Kamehameha,  losing  one  to 
the  Ha, viators  at  Ford  Island  and  one  to  Sub  Base  and  swarming  the  Joe  Gahns 
Shafterites  for  the  worst  defeat  of  the  season  (12  to  2).  The  Flyers,  although 
•playing  the  entire  season  minus  that  powerful  outfield  punch  they  possessed  in 
1929  in  Fitzpatrick,  Tarpley  and  Henderson,  finished  the  league  schedule  in  a . 
tie  with  the  Marines  for  fifth  place. 

Staff  Sergeant  George  H.  Miller,  who  has  contributed  much  toward  entertain- 
ment in  a baseball  way  in  past  years  when  Luke  Field  reigned  supreme  in  this 
Department,  purchased  his  discharge  from  the  Air  Corns  to  accept  a Civil  Service 
appointment  at  the  Motor  Overhaul,  He  retains  the  same  job  he  held  while  in  the 
service.  His  playing  was  greatly  missed  during  the  July  campaign  by  the  Luke 
Field  Club. 

Sergeant  Edgar  Krug  and  Sergeant  Earl  Spore,  two  popular  service  fighters, 
left  for  their  new  stations  on  the  mainland  on  the  Transport  SOMME. 

Competing  with  crack  teams  from  Honolulu  Sector  of  Service  Events  in 
the  recent  International  Swimming  Meet  at  the  'War  Memorial  Batatorium,  a team 
composed  of  Tate  and  Landes,  72nd  Bomb.  Scfuadron;  Hash,  23rd  Bomb.  Squadron, 
and  Drennon,  65th  Service  Squadron,  placed  third  in  the  400  meter  relay.  They 
negotiated  the  distance  in  4 minutes,  31-3/5  seconds. 

12th  Observation  Group,  Marshall  Field,  Kansas,  Sent.  9th. 

The  16th  Observation  Squadron  was  on  a two  weeks’ field  maneuvers  from 
August  17th  to  30th.  Camps  were  made  at  Marion,  Wichita,  Hutchinson,  Lindsborg 
and  Abilene,  Kansas.  About  three  days  were  spent  at  each  place,  and  it  rained 
at  each  camp.  Kansas  farmers  promise  to  finance  these  maneuvers  the  next  long 
dry  spell . 

Lieut.  Johnson  folded  one  of  the  0-25A’ s up  when  he  taxied  into  a ditch  at 
Mar ion , Kansas . He  said:  "The  ditch  was  there  and  I was  elected." 

Three  more  0-25  A airplanes  were  received  at  this  field  August  8th,  giving 
us  a total  of  13  of  these  ships.  Hie  wooden  props  on  these  planes  proved  very 
unsatisfactory  becruse  the  metal  tips  work  loose.  Replacement  with  metal  props 
adds  from  10  to  15  miles  per  hour  to  the  cruising  speed  but  slows  down  the  take- 
:.ff  considerably. 

Orders  were  received  transferring  Lieut s.  Hix  and  Van  Meter  to  the  Air 
Corps  Training  Center  at  Duncan  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas.  Lieuts.  Beebe,  Gilger 
and  Offutt  were  ordered  to  Chanute  Field,  Rantoul , 111.,  for  duty  as  students  in 
the  courses  for  Aircraft  Armament,  Communications  and  Maintenance  Engineering. 

Just  seven  more  bachelors  are  still  holding  out  to  prevent  it  being  an  old 
married  post.  Recent  victims  to  step  off  are  Lieuts.  Enyart , Carter,  Gann, 

Wagner  and  Van  Meter.  There  is  a reason  - each  time  one  gets  married  it  costs 
each  officer  one  dollar  - but  there  is  one  way  to  revenge. 

Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  Au  ust  30th. 

The  following  manufacturers’  representatives  visited  Wright  Field  during 
the  month  for  consultation  with  engineers:  Edgar  IT.  Gott  and  C.T.  Poryer,  Presi- 
dent and  Chief  Engineer,  respectively,  of  the  Keystone  Aircraft  Corporation; 

T.P.  Wright,  Curtiss  Company,  Garden  City,  B.Y.:;  Georges  Estoppey,  Bomb  Sight 
Engineer,  Chicago;  J.  Bosway  and  C.W.  Hosier,  General  Electric  Company,  Schenec- 
tady, 1T.Y. ; Floyd  Smith,  Floyd  Smith  Safety  Chute  Co.,  Buffalo,  B.Y.;  C.H.  Van 
Dusen  and  L.C.  Milburn,  Glenn  L.  Martin  Co.,  Baltimore,  Md. ; M.H.  St.  Clair, 
formerly  parachute  engineer  of  the  Materiel  Division,  Switlik  Parachute  and 
Equipment  Co.,  Trenton,  N.J.;  Mac  Short,  I.  Schaefer,  0.  Moe , Stearman  Aircraft 
Co.,  '“ibhita,  Kansas;  R.H.  Fleet,  President,  Consolidated  Aircraft  Co..  Buffalo; 
Lyman  K.  Ford,  Irving  Air  Chute  Company,  Buffalo;  Harold  Caminez,  Allison 
Engineering  Company,  Indianapolis,  Ind. ; G.E.  Lawrence,  Pioneer  Instrument  Co., 
Brooklyn,  H.Y.;  R.S.  McKim,  Hew  Standard  Aircraft  Co.,  Paterson,  H.J.;  Lawrence 
D.  Bell,  Vice  President , Consolidated  Aircraft  Co.,  Buffalo;  W.H.  Bunns,  Eclipse 
Aviation  Corp. , East  Orange,  B.J.;  R.L.  Hankinson,  Crescent  Panel  Co.,  Louisville 
Ky. ; J.L.  Harkness,  Sikorsky  Aviation  Corp.,  Bridgeport,  Conn.;  Ray croft  Walsh 
and  Frank  Caldwell,  former  chief  of  Propeller  Unit,  Wright  Field,  Hamilton  Steel 
Propeller  Co.,  Pittsburgh,  Pa.;  V.E.  Bertrandias,  Fokker  Aircraft  Corp.,  Bew  York 
City;  Burdette  S.  Wright,  Curtiss  Company,  Washington,  D.C.;  Roy  A.  Miller, 

• Consolidated  Aircraft  Corn. , Buffalo;  Graham  Edgar,  Ethyl  Gasoline  Coro.,  Bew 

-284- 


Yorkj;  P.3. . Gaylpr Wri^bjt ; Aeronautical  Cor;-)..,  Paterson,,  II.  J u ; W-.F.  Davis-,; 

Pair  child-  • jSngineeriii§-:.GQi^y  , ..-Long.  Island,  H.Y. ; Frederick.  Charavay,  Hartzell 
Propeller  Company,.  .Piqua,-  Ohio.  - ...... 

Lieut  .-Col.  Jacob  YE.  .Fidcel , -until  recently  Executive  of  Wright  Field, 
dropped  In -upon  us. .from  the -air  on -August  28th,  piloting  Midshipman  L.W.  Parish.  ; 
He  returned  to  Bolling. .Field  the  ne:;t,  day. 

Captain  Gale  Breene , formerly  of  the  Power  Plant  Branch,  flew  in.  from 
; .Langley Field  August  29th  for  , a few  days*  visit. 

. Lieut.  J.G.-  Taylor  left  August  27th  for  Garden  City,  L.X. , Hew  York,  and. 
-Hasbrouck  Heights,  IT. J. , to  visit  the  Curtiss  and  Fqkker  plants,  to  inspect  Ob-  -« 
- servation  planes  being  manufactured  on  Government,  contracts.  He  .will  ferry  a ]l 
new  observation  plane  back  to  Wright  Field.  ■ 

Lieut.  Bennett  Meyers  reported  for  duty  at  Wright  Field  on  July  22nd , 
after  a year  spent  at  the  Industrial  War  College:,  where  he  took  a course  in 
Industrial  Planning.  He  returned  to  his  old  -post  in  the  Industrial  War  Plans 
Section. 

'Major  E.L.  Hof  f mam.  returned  from  one  month*  s leave  of  absence  spent  at 
Hipigon  Lodge,  Ontario , Canada. 

Lieut.  George  F.  Schulgen  returned  recently  from  20  days’  leave  spent  in 
Michigan. 

Lieut.  J.F.  Philips  and  W.W.  Cummings,  Equipment  Branch,  went  to  Hew  York 
City  August  7th  for  a conference  with  the  Fairchild. Aerial  Camera  Corporation. 

Lieut.  Donald  F.  Stace  returned  August  11th  from  a SO  days’  leave. 

Lieut.  W.1T.  Amis  left  , for  Middletown  Air -Depot,  Langley,  Bolling, Baltimore 
and  Philadelphia  to;  consult  with  commanding  officers  concerning  Air  Corps 
supplies  and  equipment.  ■ 

Lieut s.  F.-O.  Carroll,  and  F.A.  Foulk  are  enjoying,  a month’s  leave  of  absence « 
in  Worth  Carolina. 

Lieut.  David  Lingle  is  taking  a month’s  leave  of  absence. 

Major-General  James  E.  Fechet , with  Major  H.-C.  Davidson,  landed  at  Wright 
Field  at  7:15  p.m. , August  .12th,  taking  off  shortly  after  breakfast  next 
morning  for  Washington.  . •;  - --.  • 

Lieut.  Phillips  Melville,  who.  is.  on  detached  service  as  Assistant  Air 
Attache  in  Cuba  under  Ambassador  Harry  Guggenheim,  landed  at  Wright  Field  on 
August  15th  and  spent  several  days  renewing  old  acquaintances. 

Major  W.H.  Crom,  Chief  of  t.he  Industrial- -.War  Plans,  Section,  returned  from 
two  months’  leave  of  absence  spent  in-.; touring  the  northwest. 

Lieut.  C.W.  Cousland,-  flying  Allan  Hoover,  son  of  the  President,  landed 
and  made  a brief  visit  to  Wright  Field  on  August  18th.  They  were  on  .their  way 
.from  Bolling  Field  to  some  point  west. 

Lieut.  Muir  Fairchild,  Air,  Corps.  Representative  at  the  Douglas  Company, 

-Santa  Monica,  Calif.,  spent -several -days  during  August  at  the  field.  He  took 
off  August  20th  for  Washington  for  a conference  with  the  Chief,  of  the  Militia 
Bureau,  returning  to  the  Field  three  days  later.  Lieut.  Fairchild  is  a gradu- 
ate of  the  Air  Corps  Engineering  School-.;: 

Major  O.P.  Echols,  Chief  of  Procurement  Section,  is" scheduled  for  a trip 
to  Seattle  and  Santa  Monica  early  in- Sent  ember  to  consult  with  the:  Boeing  and 
Douglas'  Companies. 

-•  Brigadier-General  B.  •. D.  Foulois  landed, at  Wright  Field  August  12th,  taking  !; 
off  £<■.  r Chicago  with  Captain  St.  Clair -Streett  early  the.  next  morning. 

Captain  R.  C . Coupland , Ordnance  Department,  Washington,  ■D.-G. , arrived. 

August  25th  for  temporary  duty,  at  Wright  Field  in  ...connect  ion  with  an  engineer- 
ing -project  concerning- experimental  anti-aircraft  equipment. 

Reserve  Officers  who  were  on  14  days’  active  duty  at  Wright  Field  during 
August  were  Major  L.S.'  Connelly  and,- Ca 'tain  Leopold  Stocker  in  the  Industrial 
War  Plans.  Section -and  .Captain-  Falk  .Harrnel  in.  the  Technical  Data  Section.  __  .- 

Inspector  RJD..  Post  left  August  3rd  for  Kenosha,  Wisconsin,,  to  -inspect 
wire  cable  being-  manufactured  on  . contract . for  - the- Air  Corps. 

■ Miller  L.  Coe,  Draftsman,-  left  . for  . Scott  Field  August  3rd  to  check -draw- 
. ings . governing:  changes,  in  a TG  airship . , . . ■ \ - 

Fairfield,  Ohio  , Air  Denot , - September  15th.  . -.  - 

. J.  I 

The  Fifth  Corps  Area  Golf  Tournament  was  held  at  the  Fairfield  Air  Depot 
on  .September  10th  and' 11th.  About  seventy  Regular.  Array  officers  and  Reserve 
officers  participated  in  this  Tournament Among  those  present -were  Major- Gen. 
Dennis  E.  Ho lan,  Commanding  General  of  .the  Fifth  Corns  Area,  and  Brigadier- 

-285-  7-S075,A.C. 


General  H.C,  Pratt,  Commanding  the  Materiel  Division. 

A blind  bogey  tournament  was  played  on  the  afternoon  of  Sept.  10th,  follow- 
ed by  the  big  tournament  on  Sept.  ilth.  Captain  John  M.  Clark,  Air  Corps,  won 
first  prize  for  the  Corps  Area  with  a total  score  of  147  for  SS  holes;  Lieut. 
D.F.  Stace  won  second  place , scoring  156;  Lieut. -Col.  ’Tenner,  of  Toledo,  was 
third,  with  158;  Major  Wolfe  of  Cincinnati,  fourth,  with  158;  Major  H.H.  Arnold, 
fifth,  with  159.  All  of  these  officers  will  participate  in  the  Army  Annual  Golf 
Tournament  at  Port  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  Sent.  17th  to  20th. 

A stag  dinner  was  served  Tuesday  night,  Sept.  10th,  after  which  moving 
pictures  of  the  Air  Corps  Maneuvers  on  the  Pacific  Coast,  Bobby  Jones,  and  also 
of  quite  a number  of  Wright  Pield  and  Fairfield  officers  on  the  golf  course  were 
shown.  The  ladies  gave  a tea  on  Wednesday  afternoon,  after  the  Tournament  was 
completed,  at  which  time  the  prizes  were  awarded  by  General  Pratt.  The  consola- 
tion prize  went  to  Lieut.  H.R.  Wells,  whose  score  totalled  267  for  36  holes. 

The  Tournament  was  thoroughly  enjoyed  by  all,  the  golf  course  being  in  ex- 
cellent condition,  and  it  is  hoped  the  Tournament  next  year  will  be  held  here 
and  that  the  number  of  participants  will  be  increased  to  over  one  hundred. 

First  Lieut.  George  V.  McPike  reported  here  for  duty  recently  after  com- 
pleting a tour  of  duty  in  Hawaii. 

The  Engineering  Department  started  moving  into  its  new  building  on  June 
10th,  and  completed  the  move  two  months  later,  during  which  period  the  regular 
production  progressed.  This  new  building  contains  the  Aero  Repair,  Engine 
Repair,  Machine  Shop,  Parachute  Department  and  Station  Supply  stock  room.  The 
production  in  the  new  shop  averages  65  engines  of  different  types  Sn d 30  air- 
planes of  different  types  per  month. 

The  new  Drafting  Room  and  Station  Supply  Office  Building  is  nearing 
completion. 

Lieut.  Sam  Mills,  pilot,  with  Lieut.  "Speedy"  Rush  as  passenger,  in  an 
0-25,  enroute  from  Wright  Field  to  Watertown,  H.Y. , arrived  at  the  F.A.D.  on 
September  5th.  Qpite  an  argument  ensued  between  the  0-25  and  a boundary  light, 
after  which  Lieuts.  Mills  and  Rush  decided  to  start  bade  for  Wright  in  the 
community  tin  Lizzy,  piloted  by  Lieut.  Corkille.  Further  information  is  lack- 
ing, but  it  is  believed  they  got  back  O.K. 

Clark  Field,  Pamoanga.  P.I..  August  5th. 

The  June  Transport  brought  six  new  officers  to  Clark  Field,  viz:  Major  John 
B.  Brooks,  replacing  Major  R.P,  Cousins,  as  C.O.;  Capt.  Aubrey  Hornsby,  Engr. 
Officer;  Lieut.  Sam  Ellis,  0.1,0.  enlisted  men1 s activities;  Lt . W.H.  Hardy,  Sq. 
Supply  Officer;  Lt  . K.J.  Gregg, Utilities  Officer;  Lt.  M'.M.  l.furphy , Sq.  Armament 
Officer.  With  their  arrival,  new  interest  sprung  up  in  bowling.  An  Officers 
Team,  composed  of  Major  Brooks,  Capt.  Hart,  Lte.  Bump,  Anderson,  Ellis  and 
Murphy  was  organized  and  played  several  -practice  games  with  the  enlisted  men. 

The  Field  Artillery  team  at  Stotsenburg  was  challenged  and  handily  beaten  on  the 
alleys  in  Angeles,  the  Artillerymen  paying  for  the  games  and  standing  a dinner 
at  "Pampanga  Charlie’s." 

An  enlisted  men’s  basketball  team  was  organized  and  equipped  with  new  uni- 
forms and  is  preparing  for  an  active  season  of  Inter-Post  games. 

Sixteen  new  P-12 ’ s arrived  on  the  Meigs  and  14  of  them  are  set  up  ready 
for  delivery  from  the  P.A.D.  It  is  found,  however,  that  no  Ethyl  gasoline  is 
available  in  the  Islands  and  the  nearest  supply  is  Shanghai.  Probably  several 
weeks  will  elapse  before  this  Benzol  can  be  brought  to  Manila. 

The  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  ordered  six  of  our  D-12-C  motors  taken  from  our 
PW-9’s  and  shipped  to  San  Antonio.  Flying  will  consequently  be  curtailed  while 
the  motor  changes  are  being  made. 

Record  gunnery  and  bombing  was  completed  and  all  officers  qualified  as  ex*- 
pert  under  the  new  score  requirements.  Lt . C.S.  Irvine  made  a total  high  score 
of  1442  out  of  a possible  score  of  1750.  His  score  was  as  follows:  Ground  tar- 
get, 832  points;  tor:  target,  410  points,  bombing,  202  points. 

Lieut,  Blackburn  returned  from  Java,  where  he  was  on  two  months’  leave  for 
the  purpose  of  demonstrating  the  Conqueror  powered  Curtiss  Hawk  to  the  Dutch 
Indian  Air  Force.  Lieut.  Whitson  is  now  in  Japan  on  a similar  mission  with  the 
Mitsubishi  Aircraft  Company. 


-286- 


V-7075,A. C. 


m 


■ 


. 

■ 


■ 

■ 


VOL.  XIV 


OCTOBER  20,  1930 


NO.  12 


TABLE  OE  CONTENTS 
0O0 

Photographing  Proposed  Pan-American  Highway  for  Costa  Rica  .....  287  - 288 

Novel  Method  of  Destroying  Worn  Oar  Array  Planes 288 

Graduation  of  Students  of.  the  Advanced  Plying  School 289  - 290 

Mather  Pield,  Calif.,  to  Become  Temporarily  Active 290  - 291 

War  De-partment  Orders  Affecting  Air  Corps  Officers 291  - 292 

Station  Assignment  of  Advanced  School  Graduates 292 

Graduation  of  Primary  Plying  School  Students  from  Brooks  Pield  . . . 292 

The  Machine  Gun  and  Bombing  Matches  at  Langley 293 

Third  Attack  Group  Celebrates  Ninth  Birthday  293 

Army  Airman  Makes  Two  Jumps  Within  Three  Days 293 

Connecticut  National  Guard  Airmen  Conduct  Very  Successful  Camp  . . . 294 

Some  Hot  Shots  on  Plies 295 

Twelfth  Observation  Squadron  Qualifies  100  Percent 295 

First  Pursuit  Group  Welcomes  Prench  Trans-Atlantic  Plyers 295 

Ninetieth  Attack  Squadron  Wins  Baseball  Championship 295 

Pirst  Pursuiters  Win  Aerial  Gunnery  Matches 296 

Pootball  Star  to  Coach  Brooks  Pield  Team 296 

California  Guardsmen  Perform  Considerable  Plying  During  Training  . . 296 

P-12C’s  Versus  Lockheed  Vega 297 

Vigorous  Workour  for  Marshall  Pield  Airmen 297 

Reserve  Corps  Officers  Compete  Against  Regulars  in  Shoot  297  - 298 

Great  Snakes  298 

Training  Activities  at  Rockwell  Pield 298  - 299 

Climbing  Ability  of  the  P-12C 299 

High  Altitude  Plying  by  94th  Pursuit  Squadron  ...........  299 

Plying  Instructors  School  Goes  into  Session  Once  More 300 

Air  Corps  Participation  in  Array  Relief  Carnival  in  Washington  ...  300 

A Golf  War  Between  Kelly  and  Port  Crockett ...  . . . ...  300  ,301 

Air  Corps  to  Hold  Bombing  Practice  at  Port  Sill,  Oklahoma  . . . . . 301  - 302 

General  Poulois  Visits  Rockwell  Pield  , . . 302 

Radio  Controlled  Problem  Conducted  at  Rockwell  Pield  302 

New  Engineering  Shops  Building  at  Fairfield  Air  Depot 302 

New  Airplanes  for  Brooks  Pield 302 

Colonel  Andrews  Plien;New  Transport  303 

Air  Corps  Officer  Experiences  a Most  Unusual  Accident 303 

German  War  Veteran  Attends  Primary  Plying  School  . 303 

An  Appreciation  of  Langley  Field’s  Sportsmanship  303 

Chief  of  Staff  Inspects  ferch  Pield 304 

Cow  Evidences  Dislike  for  Airplane  . 304 

27th  Pursuit  Squadron  Goes  into  Camp 304 

An  Acknowledgment  by  General  Pershing  304 

Notes  from  Air  Corps  Fields . . . 305  - 313 

Maroons  and  Port  Crockett  in  a Tie 313  - 314 

Pootball  at  Langley  Pield,  Va 314  - 315 


V-6079,  A. C. 


CORPS 


no.  12 


VOL.  XIV AIR 

Information .Division 
, ■ . Air  Corps  , 


on 


•October  20,  1930 


Munitions  Building 
Washington,  D.C. 


The  chief  purpose  of  this  publication  is  to  distribute  information  on  aero- 
nautics to  the  flying  personnel  in  the  Regular  Army,  Reserve  Corps,  National 
Guard,  and  others  connected  with  aviation. 

— -oOo 


PHOTOGRAPHING  PROPOSED  PAN-AMERICAN  HIGHWAY  FOR  COSTA  RICA. 


While  considerable,  interest  always  existed  in  trans- Isthmian  routes  across 
Central  America,  it  was  only  lately  that  any  definite  steps  were  taken  to  explore 
■and  plan  the  possibilities  of  a practical  vehicular  route  down  through  the. nar- 
rowing neck  of  land  which  joins  North  to  South  America.  Ignorance  of  geographic- 
al conditions  along  such  a -proposed  route  is  abundant.  Ever  so  often  we  read  of 
the  exploits  of  someone  who  claimed  to  have  traveled  on  horseback  or  via  auto 
from  the  Argentine  to  call  on  the  Mayor  of  New  York  or  to  have  made  the  trip 
southward  between  these  two  noints.  Those  familiar  with  the  territory  from 
Northern  Colombia  to  Southern  Mexico,  however,  laugh  silently  to  themselves  at 
the  idea  of  an  automobile  traversing  this  country.  Only  a few  are  more  familiar 
with  this  nebulous  route  than  those  who  have  flown  above  it  a number  of  times. 

From , Chepo  (on  the  Chepo  River)  to  far  into  the  interior  of  Colombia,  the 
country  is  almost  impenetrable,  with  perhaps  a few  foot  trails  from  the  Chucunaque 
.basin  to  a short  distance  past  the  ruins  of  Santa  Cruz  de  Cana.  A good  road  has 
been  built  by  the  Panamanian  Government  from  the  Canal  to  a,  point  a short  distance 
beyond  Santiago,  and  it  Is  pushing  this  road  across  the  ridge  which  transverses 
the  continental  backbone,  from  La  Pena  to  Told',  then  connecting  up  and  improving 
the  short  sections  already,  in  from  Tole'-  to  David,  thence  on  close  to  the  Costa 
Rican  border.  " ■ ■ ■ 

From  this  point  to  its  Capital  City,  San  Jose,  Costa  Rica  is  largely  un- 
mapped. Other  portions  of  the  country,  sparsely  inhabited,  are  virtually  as 
little  known.  Interested  as  were  the  government  officials  and  engineers  of  this 
Central  American  Republic  in  the  topography  of  their  country,  they  realized  the 
utter  ho-pelessness  of  the  task  of  undertaking  a preliminary  survey  without  the 
one  aid  which  could  perform  the  trick  - aerial  reconnaissance. 

Existing  relations  with  the  United  States  having  long  been  of  a cordial 
nature,  the  American  Military  Attache  was  asked  to  ascertain  what  our  Air  Corps, 
stationed  in  the  Panama  Canal  Zone , could  do  to  help  out  the  Republic  of  Costa 
Rica  and,  incidentally,  the  whole  of  North  and  Central  America  - equally  inter- 
ested in  the  establishment  of  a Pan-American  highway.-  in  making  an  aerial  photo- 
graphic survey  of  certain  sections  of  the  country. 

The  primary  object  of  the  survey  was,  of  course,  to  map  certain  in-Bpcs  for 
the  purpose  of  selecting  a route  for  the  Pan-American  Highway.  The  secondary  ob- 
jectives were  to  enable  government  officials  and  engineers  to-  fly  with  our  pilot 
to  determine  for  themselves  the  country  to  be  mapped,  and  to  allow  the  Secretary 
of  Interior  and  the  Chief  Engineer  personally  to  make  a reconnaissance  flight 
over  the  Guatuso  area  between  San  Jose  valley  and  Lake  Nicaragua,  very  little 
being  heretofore  known  about  this  latter  section.  In  embarking  on  this  project, 
it:  would  be  possible  to  -photograph  all  available  landing  fields  and  areas  where 
the  Pan-American  Airways  proposed  locating  airports  or  emergency  landing  fields, 
also  to  obta-in  photographs  of  important  cities  and  the  several  volcanoes  which 
dot  the  country. 

On  June  18th  last,  Lieuts.  A.Y.  Smith,  12th  Photo  Section,  and  John  G. Moore, 
7th  Observation  Squadron,  each  piloting  a Douglas  02-H  Observation  plane,  left 
France  Field  for  San  Jose,  Costa.  Ac companying  Lieut. .,  Smith  was  Staff  Sergeant 
Crow,  the  photographer,  while  Technical  Sergeant  Ashby,  who  accompanied  Lieut. 
Moore,  was  the  mechanic.  The  aerial  equipment  carried  aboard  the  planes  consist- 
ed of  one  K-ll  aerial  camera  and  one  Graflex  camera,  four  75-ft.  rolls  of  K-l 
aerial  film,  and  four  packs  of  Graflex  films. 

> , After  a short  stay  at  David,  Republic  of  Panama,  where  the  planes  were  re- 
fuel Qd,  the  -flight  was  resumed  to  San  Jose,  where  the  airmen  landed  shortly  be- 
fore noon  the  same  day  they  had  left  France  Field,  and  were  greeted  by  the  Amer- 
ican Military  Attache  and  a number  of  Costa  Rican  officials. 

The  report  of  Lieut.  A.Y.  Smith,  covering  this  aerial  photographic  expedition, 

-287-  V-6079,  A.C. 


is  quoted,  in  part,  as  follows:  . 

"About  200  photos  in  all  were  taken  by  us.  We  flew  together. a greater  part 
of  the  time  for  safety;  for  one  to  aid  the  other  in  case  of  a- forced  landing. 

Each  morning  was  devoted  to  flying,  atmospheric  conditions  and  weather  con- 
ditions both  being  better  at  that  time  of  the  day.  All  our  photographs  were 
obliques,  and  those  of  the  proposed  highway  routes  were  so. taken  that  they  over- 
lapped, they  being  snapped  from  an  average  above-ground  elevation  of  3,000  to 
4,000  feet.  The  areas  photographed  varied  from  sea  level  to  12,0.00  feet. 

Weather  changes  worried  us  somewhat.  Shortly  after  noon,  the  weather  would 
invariably  thicken  up  in  the  mountains,  and  even  in  the  mornings  clouds  would 
drift  in  between  eight  and  nine  o'clock  from  the  San  Juan  River  Valley.  At  no 
time  was  it  possible  to  obtain  cloudless  views  of  the  Naranjo-San  Carlos  Pass, 
but  some  photographs  were  taken  each  day  and  very  good'  photographs  of  all  other 
areas  were  obtained.  On  June  22nd,  the  San  Juan  Valley  was  completely  overcast, 
so  a flight  was  made  to  Liberia,  Costa  Rica,  with  two  local  Congressmen  as  pass- 
engers. After  being  royally  received  by  the  populace,  photographs  were  taken  of 
the  field  and  the  city,  and  a return  flight  made  to  San  Jose,  all  this  before 
lunch.  The  flight  was  made  at  the  urgent  request  of  the  President,  who  stated 
that  the  trip  would  have  taken  a week  by  road  and  boat. 

Upon  a telegraphic  request,  made  by  a committee  representing  the  citizens  of 
Nuoga,  the  American  Minister  dispatched  a flight  to  that  city.  Photos  were  taken, 
but  it  was  not  possible  to  land  there.  A letter  of  appreciation,  mailed  to  the 
Minister  the  same  day,  reached  the  Capital  ten  days  later.  The  flight,  by  the 
way,  required  one  hour  and  twenty  minutes  each  way. 

I do  not  believe  that  any  airplane  has  ever  been  over  this  area  before, 
judging  from  the'  tone  of  the  letter  and  the  apparent  enthusiasm  of . the  crowd  col- 
lected in  the  town  awaiting  our  arrival.  Immediately  after  our  flight,  the 
people  of  Nuoga  started  the  construction  of  an  adequate  landing  field. 

The  local  newspapers  in  San  Joaa  carried  daily,  accounts  of  our  flights.  The 
four  of  us  in  the  party' were  excellently  entertained,  and  our  expenses  paid  by 
the  Costa  Rican  government.  The  Pan-American  Airways  station  at  Punta  Arenas 
supplied  us  with  gasoline  and  oil.  • 

On  June  26th,.  after  eleven  days  of  activity,  we  returned  to  France  .Field  via 
Punta  Arenas,  Costa  Rica  and  David,  Panama.'! 

oOo — - 

NOVEL  METHOD  OF  DESTROYING  UORN  OUT  ARMY  AIRPLANES 

Scenes  reminiscent  of  the  late  war  will  be  reenacted  on  or  about -November  1st 
next,  at  Camp  Stanley,  near  San  Antonio,  Texas,  when  a squadron  of  18  planes  from 
the  Third  Attack  Group,  Fort  Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas,  will  be  given  real  tar- 
gets at  which  to  shoot  in  the  form  of  20  condemned  airplanes  which  are  no  longer 
fit  for  service.  These  wornout  planes  will  be  arranged  on  the  ground  to  simulate 
a squadron  airdrome  in  war-time. 

The  Attackers  will  launch  successive  assaults  against  them,  employing  small 
fragmentation  bombs  and  100-pound  demolition  bombs,  in  order  to  determine  the  rels 
tive  .efficiency  of  these  two  missiles  in  the  destruction  of  aircraft  on  the 
ground.  Following  the  assaults  with  the  bombs,  the  Attackers  will  once  more 
swoop  over  the  old  planes  and  rain  down  upon  them  tracer  ammunition  in  order  to 
test  the ' ince ndiary  effect  thereof  against  airplane  structures  and  gasoline  tanks. 

This  will  be  the  first  time  any  test  of  this  nature  has  been  undertaken  by 
the  Air  Corps,  and  it  is  believed  that  very  important  data  will  be  collected  on 
the  effect  to  be  expected  in  similar  attacks'  upon  hostile  airdromes  in  time  of 
war  and  the  resulting  destruction  to  enemy  aircraft  on  such  airdromes. 

The  squadron ■ from  the  Third  Attack  Group  will  employ  their  usual  tactics  of 
barely  skimming  over  the  ground  and  brushing  over  tree  tops  in  staging  surprise 
attacks  on  enemy  ground  troops,  although  in  this  particular  demonstration  it  will 
be  necessary  to  increase  the  operating  altitude  a. trifle  in  order  to  insure  safety 
to  the  personnel  engaged  therein. 

— -oOo— - 

A new  upit  recently  organized  at  Drooks  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  is  the 
58th  Service  Squadron,  which  is  composed  entirely  of  personnel  drawn  from  other 
squadrons  already  on  duty  at  this  Post.  Lieut.  O.L.  Rogers  has  been  assigned  as 
Commanding  Officer  of  the  58th,  and,  in  the  words  of  the  News  Letter  Correspon- 
dent, "this  augurs  well  for  the  new  organization." 

-288-  V-6079, . A.C. 


GBApUA.T'IOl'J ' OF  STUDEUTS  OF  THE JtfNMGEB  FLYX&G  .SCHOOL 


'The  wing  insignia,  denoting  that  the/ wearer  , thereof  is  h qualified  military- 
pilot,  vra,s  -pinned  on  the  "breasts  of  85  students'  who-  graduated  from  the  Advanced 
Flying  School , . Kelly  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  on  Saturday,  October  11th.  This 
graduating  clas.s-,.  designated  as  Class  3-B,  comprised  43  Flying  Cadets  and  42 
commissioned  officer's,  Of  which  latter  number  35 '.'graduated  from  the  United 
States- -Military  Academy,  West  Point U.Y,,  in  June  of  last  year.  All  of  these 
students  reported  at  Kelly  Field  from  the  Primary  Flying  Schools,  Brooks  Field, 
San  Antonio,  Texas,  and  March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif, on  July  1, -1930,  at 
which  time  the  .class  consisted  of  4.4  officers,  50-  Flying  Cadets,  and  one  Chinese 
civilian,  a total  of  95.  Two  officers,  and  six  Flying  Cadets  have  been  held  over 
to  the  next  class,  and  two, Flying  Cadets,  unfortunately,  were  killed  in  a 
collision  in  the  air. 

The  graduates  of  this  class,  who  come  from ...32  States,  the  largest  represent 
tat ion  being  California  with  11  and  Illinois  and  Texas  with  8 each,  are  divided 
among  the  specialized  branches  of  the  Army  Air  Corps,  as  follows:  Attack  Sec- 
tion, 15;  Bombardment  Section,  15;  Observation  Section,  23;  Pursuit  Section,  32. 

. Several  weeks  prior  to  graduation  day,  long-distance  cross-country  training 
for  these  students  was  started.  On  September  17th,  one  section  of  the  Pursuit 
Class,  "hopped1’  off  for  Muskogee,  Oklahoma,  on  a trip  which  took  the  flight  to 
Fort  Sill,  Okla. , -and  El  Paso,  Texas,  before  returning  to  San  Antonio.  Similar 
flights,  for  the  Par  suit  Section  were  made  on  September  25th  and  October  3rd. 

The  Observation  students  took  off  September  20th  on  their  extended  cross-country 
flight,,  during  the  course  of  which  they  visited  Pine  Bluff , Fort  Sill  and  El 
Paso,  Two  flights  of  Bombers  made  trips  to  Muskogee,  Fort.  Sill ..  and  El  Paso, 
the  first  leaving  Kelly  Field  on  September  23rd  and  the  second  on  October  5th. 

The  .Attack  students  made  a single  flight  from  Kelly  Field  to  Galveston,  Shreve- 
port and  El  Paso,  leaving  San  Antonio  on  October  6th. 

This  is  the  first  graduating  class  of. Cadets  at  the  Advanced  Flying  School 
which  .signed  the  agreement. to  serve  two  years  on  active  duty  as  Reserve  officers 
or  as  off icer s- of  the  Regular  Array.  It  is. also  the  first  class  which  has  re- 
ceived a thorough  course  in  instrument  flying,  or  blind  flying,  as  it  is  more 
generally  referred. to. 

The  graduating  class  flew  in  review  at  Kelly  Field  at  9:00  o’clock  on  the 
morning  of  graduation  day.  The  graduation  exercises  were  held  at  the. Kelly 
Field  Theatre  at  11:15  a. ml  Chaplain  Edwin  Burling  delivered  the  invocation, 
and  Major  Frederick  L.  Martin,  Commandant  of  the  Advanced  Flying  School,  deliver- 
ed the  opening  address,  after  which  he  introduced  Brigadier- General  Charles  H. 
Danforth,  Commanding  General  of  the  Air  Corps  Training  Center,  who  delivered  the 
address  to  the  graduating  class;.  ' 

The  Reserve  commissions  to  the  Flying  Cadets  were  presented  by  General 
Danforth,  the  Certificates'  of  Graduation  by  Major  ’ -'Martin,  and  the.  wings  were 
pinned  on  the  graduates  by  Major  Clarence  L.  Tinker,  Assistant,  Commandant  of  the 
Advanced  Flying  School.  Chaplain  L.J.  McDonald  closed  the  exercises  with  the 
benediction. 

Numbered  among  the  members  of  the  graduating  class  is  Christy  fe thews on, Jr. , 
son  of  the  famous  pitcher  of  the  Hew  York  Giants  some  twenty  years  ago,  who 
served  as  a Captain  in  the  Chemical  Warfare  Service  during  the  World  War  and 
•died  at  the  age  of  45  as  a result  - of  the  ^ravaging  effects  of  mustard  gas;  also 
Lucius  R.  Holbrook,  Jr.,,  son  of  Brigadier  General  Holbrook,  who  recently  assumed 
command  of  the:  First  Division  at  Fort.  Hamilton,  ITew  York.  Second  Lieut.  Frederic 
H.  Smith,  of  Washington,  D., O'. , :is  a member  of . the  famous  Caterpillar  Club,  his 
.parachute  saving  his  life  on  the  morning  of  July  22nd  last,  when. his  safety  belt 
became  unfastened  while  "he'  was  practicing  acrobatic  flying.  ‘ 

Graduates  - Commissioned  Officers  ■ 

Sec  ond  Li eut  enant  s • 


John  W.  Stribling, inf . -Florence,  Ala. 

Melie  J.  Coutlee,  Iiif.  . Hot  Springs, Ark. 
Roy  G.  Cuno,  Infantry  .Richmond,  Calif. 
Roger  J.  Browne,  Cav.  '.San  Diego, Calif. 
Robert  E . L . Choate , A . C . San  Diego , Gcal  if . 

Donald  J.  Keirn,  F.  A.  / Denver,  Colo. 

Donald  W.  Armagost,  Cav.  Fasston,  Colo. 
Benjamin  S.  Kelsey,  A.C.  • Wat erbury,: Conn, 
Thomas  B.  McDonald,  C.A.C.  Washington, ‘ D. C. 

-289- 


Frederic  H. Smith, Jr.  F.A-.  Wash.  D.C 
Harold  H. Bassett ,C.E.  Albion, 111. 
Keene  Watkins, Inf. • HLoomington, 111 
Rudolph  Fink,  C.A.C.  Chicago, 111. 
Marshall  S .Roth,  QMC.  Chicago , 111 . 
Robert  M.Kraft,F.A.  Evansville, Ind. 
Pearl  H. Robey,  Inf.  Indianapolis," 
Jerald  W. McCoy, Inf.  Marshalltown, lo. 
Im.E. Karnes, Cav.  Paducah, Ky. 

' V-S079 , A.C. 


James  L. Majors , C.E. 
George  P. Moody, Inf. 
Thomas  R. Lynch,  Inf .. 

James  A. Ellison, A. C. 
Emery  S. Wetzel, F. A. 
Robert  M.  Losey.F.A. 
Daniel  G. Double day ,CAC. 
Joseph  J.  Ladd,  Inf. 
William  G.  Bowyer, S. C. 
Draper  F.  Henry,  A.C. 
Fhineas  K . Morrill , Jr . Inf 
Dwight  B. Schannep,  F.A. 

William  B.  Poe 
Ellis  D.  Shannon 
D.  Keith  Sheets 
George  Cook  Baker 
John  J.  Schweizer 
Ted  A.  Smith 
Ott  Gardner 
Ralph  H.  Brandt 
Adrian  F.  Wilkinson 
Howard  B.  , La t hr op, Jr. 
William  Ray  Allemang 
Glen  A.  Holland 
Charlie  S.  Tidwell 
Edward  N..  Coates 
Lucius  R.  Holbrook,  Jr. 
William  R.  Graham 
Charles  Robert  Disher 
Roscoe  Ralph  Burley 
Floyd  Hill  Davidson 
Monty  J.  Tennee 
Lawrence  T.  Pugh  , 

Hugh  Osborne  Coleman 


Shreveport,  La. 
Portland,  Me.  . 
Jackson,  Miss.. 
Kansas  City, Mo.. 
Billings,  Mont,. 
Trenton,  N.J. 
Johnstown,.  N.Y. 


Don.  Z .Zimmerman  ,C.E. 
Freak. R. Dent , Jr. ,C.E. 
John  J.OlHara,  F.A. 
John  N.  Stone, Inf. 
Howard  Moore,  C.E. 
Chas.  G.  Williamson,  C..E. 
John  K.  Poole,  F.A. 


Bowling  Green, 0.  Thomas  L.  Bryan, Jr. Inf . 


Lima,  Ohio. 

Stow,  Ohio . 
.Qkla.City,0kla. 
Pendleton, Ore. 

Graduates  - Flying  Cadets 


Edvard  A. Dodson, C. A.C. 
Wm.  C. Bentley, Jr.  A.C. 
George  McCoy, Jr.  Inf. 
John  C.  Horton, F.A. 


Portland , Ore . 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Diboll,  Texas. 
Ft.Sa,  Houston. 
Gilmer,  Texas.  ‘ 
Houston, Texas. 
San  Antonio, Tex. 
Tyler,  Texas. 
Norfolk,  Va. 
Richmond,  Va. 
Vancouver , Wash . 
Laramie,  Wyo. 


Bi rmingham , Ala . 

Evergreen',  Ala. 

Fresno,  Calif. 

Los  Angeles, Calif 
Los  Angeles, Calif . Weldon  Rhoades 
Los  Angeles, Calif . Robert  A.Bolyard 
Orange,  Calif. 

San  Francisco. 

San  Francisco. 

San  Jose,  Calif. 

Atlanta,  Ga. 

Atlanta,  Ga. 

Atlanta , Ga. 

Macon,  Ga. 

Boise,  Idaho. 

Fruit land , Idaho . 

Champaign, 111. 

Chicago,  111. 

Chicago,  111. 

Chicago,  111. 

Des  Moines, Iowa. 

Covington,  Ky. 

c0O' 


Walter  C.  Kent  Kentwood,  La. 

Robert  C. Merrill,  Cumberland  Center, Me 
Stanley  G..  Winch  Sanford,  Me. 

George  W.  Peterson  Minneapolis , Minn. 

Harris,  Mo. 

Kansas  City, Mo. 
ROy  Harold  Heiman  Moberly,  Mo. 

Fr edk. T . St erl ing , Jr . Mi s soula , Mont . 


Samuel  S.Nuckols 
Christy  Mathews on 
Charles  W.  Causey 
Hamish  Mc^elland 
Mark  Hopkins 
Theo. G. Kershaw, Jr. 
Charles  H.Gdodwyn 
George  G. Stokes 
Thomas  IT.  Charles 
Oliver  J . Studeman 
Louis' S.Hqbbs 
Floyd  E.  ^elson 
Oscar  K. Harris, Jr. 


Moorestown,N.  J. 
Saranac  Lake, NY 
Greensboro,  N.C. 
Cleveland,  0. 
Strafford,  Pa. 
Charleston, S. C. 
Columbia,  S.C. 
Covington,  Tenn. 
Knoxville , Tenn. 
Edna,  Texas. 

San  Antonio, Tex. 
Salt  Lake  City.Uta 
Grose  close, Va. 


MATHER  FIELD,  CALIFORNIA,  TO  BECOME  TEMPORARILY  ACTIVE 


On  November  1,1930,  Mather  Field,  near  Sacramento,  Calif.,  will  temporarily 
become  an  active  field.  The  units  which  will  be  temporarily  assigned  to  this 
station  already  have  permanent  stations.  As  a consequence,  Mather  Field  will 
again  become  inactive  when  permanent  quarters  for  these  units  are  completed  at 
their  assigned  stations.  .No  permanent  construction  will,  therefore,  be  undertaken 
at  Mather  Field. 

The  following  units  of  the  Air  Corps  will  become  reconstituted  at  Mather: 
Headquarters  20  th  Pursuit  Group 
80th  Service  Squadron 
77th  Pursuit  Squadron 
55th  Pursuit  Squadron 

These  units  will  be  formed  by  transferring  the  necessary  number  of  officers 
from  other  stations,  transferring  trained  enlisted  men  from  other  fields,,  viz:  60 
from  Kelly  Field  and  28  from  Brooks  Field,  Texas;  60  from  hangley  Field,  Va. ; 52 
from  Mitchel  Field,  N.Y. , and  by  assignment  of  223  Air  Corps  recruits..  Certain 
personnel  from  the  Quartermaster  Corps,  Medical  Department,  Ordnance  and  Signal  _ 
Corps.  trill  -complete  the  garrison. 

Mather  Field  was  first  built  during  the  World  War  and  remained  an  active 
field  until  1922,  when  reduction  in  the  Army  necessitated  its  abandonment.  It 
was  constructed  as  a complete  training  unit,  with  12  hangars,  occupying  600.  acres. 

• The  opening  of  Mather  Field  becomes  necessary  to  care  for  the  fourth  incre- 
ment of  the  Air  Corps  increase.  It  will  probably  be  used  also  to  reconstitute 
units  necessary  for  the  fifth  increment : in  1931. 

The  following  Air  Corps  officers , ' thus  far,  have  been  ordered  to  duty  at 
Mather  Field:  Major  Clarence  L.  Tinker , Kelly  Field;  Captains  John  M.  Clark, 
Fairfield  Air  Depot,  Ohio;  William  E.  Lynd,  Crissy  Field,  Presidio  of  San 


-290- 


V-6079,A.C 


Francisco,  Calif.;  1st  Lieut.  Walter  E.  Richards,-  Self  ridge  Field,  Mich.;  1st 
Lt Clarence  ,E.  .Cni.mrine,  Hawaiian  Department;  2nd  Lieut s.  Gordon  P.  Saville, 
Crissy  Field,  Calif.,  and  Lee  Q,  Washer,  March  Field,  Calif. 

— .O0o — ■ 

WAR  DjPAMiENT  ORDERS  AFFECTING  AIR. CORPS  OFFICERS 

Changes  of  Station:  , Captain  Dudley  ,B.  Howard,  March  Field,  Calif.,  to 
Scott  Field,  Belleville',  ’111". 

Upon  completing  tour  of  duty  in  Hawaiian  Department,  Captains  George  P. 
Johnson  to  Langley  Field,  Va. ; Lewis  R.P.  Reese  to  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio; 

1st  Lieut.  Reuben  C.  Moffat  t.o  Wright  Field. 

1st  Lieut.  Martinus  Stenseth,  Office  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  to  duty  in 
Militia  Bureau,  Washington,  D.C. 

Captain  Edwin  J„  House,  Mitchel  Field,  to  Office  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps. 

Captain  Thomas  W.  Hastey,  Office  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  to  Air  Corps  Train- 
ing Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas. 

1st  Lieut.  Herbert  W.  Anderson,  Wright  Field,  to  Chanute  Field,  111. 

1st  Lieut.  Earl  S.  Hoag,  Philippines,  to  Air  Corps  Training  Center. 

1st  Lieut.  William  C.  Farnum,  March  Field,  to  Chanute  Field. 

1st  Lieut.  Ward  F.  Robinson,  Panama,  to  Mitchel  Field,  L.X.,  New  York.  . 

1st  Lieut.  Howard  H.  Couch,  March  Field,  to  Wright  Field,  Nov.  25th. 

1st  Lieut.  Donal  F.  Fritch,  Panama,  to  San  Antonio  Air  Depot,  Texas. 

1st  Lieut.  Orvil  A.  Anderson,  Philippines',  to  Air  Corps  Training  Center. 

1st  Lieuts.  Walter  G.  Bryte , Jr.,  Brooks' Field, "and  Leroy  M.  Wolfe,  Wright 
Field,  to  Philippines,  former  sailing  from  San  Francisco  about  February  4-th,  the 
latter  sailing  from  New  York  about  January  13,  1951. 

1st  Lieut.  Wm.  0.  Eareckson,  Scott  Field,  111.  ,.  and  2nd  Lieut.  Berg.  T. 
Starkey,  Langley  Field,  Va. , to  Primary  Flying  School,  Brooks  Field,  Texas. 

2nd  Lieuts.  Wentworth  Goss,  March  Field,  and  1st  Lieut.  Richard  W.  Gibson, 
Brooks  Field,  to  Philippines,  sailing  Nov.  19th.  and  February  4th,  respectively. 

2nd  Lieut.  George  L.  Murray,  Philippines,  to  Brooks  Field,  Texas.' 

2nd  Lieut.  Earl  W.  Barnes,  March  Field,  tp  Panama  Canal  Department,  sailing 
from  San  Francisco  about  December  13th. 

2nd  Lieut.  Clarence  K.  Roa-th,  Letterman  General  Hospital,  to  appear,  before 
Retiring  Board  at  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Calif.,,  for  examination. 

2nd  Lieut.  John  E.  Bodle,  March  Field,  to  Long' Beach,  Calif. , for  duty  with 
Organized  Reserves,  9th  Corps  Area.  • 

2nd  Lieut.  Kenneth  R.  Crosher,  Fort  Crockett,  Texas,  to  Technical:  School-, 
Chanute  Field,  for  duty  as  student,  Arcraft  Armament  Course.-  .This  course  also 
to  he  taken  by  2nd  Lt.  Harry  J.  Flat e quai , on  duty  at  Chanute  Field. 

2nd  Lieut.  Minton  W.  Kaye,  Chanute  Field,  detailed  for  duty  as  student  in 
Aerial  Photography,  Air  Corps  Technical  School. 

2nd  Lieut.  Robert  L.- Brookings,  Mitchel  Field,  to  Boston,  Mass-. , for  duty 
with  Organized  Reserves,  1st  Corps  Area: 

. 2nd  Lieut.  John  W.  Sessums,  Jr.,  Maxwell.  Field,  Ala.  , , to  Panama  .Canal  Depart- 
ment, sailing  from  New  York  about  October  23rd. 

1st  Lieut.  Wilfred  J.  Paul,  March  Field,  to  Langley  Field,  Va.. 

2nd  Lieuts.  Thomas  J.  DuBb.se  and  Sidney' A..’  Ofsthum,  .March.'  Field,  to  Advanced 
Flying  School,  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  for  dutjr  as  students.  ' .. 

Captain  Byron  T.  Burt,  Air  Corps  Training  Center,  to  Hawaiian  Department , 
sailing  from  San’ Francisco  about  December  27th. 

Assignment  of  2nd  Lieut.  Frank  L.  Skeldon,  Fort  Crockett,  to  Air  Corps 
Technical  School,  Chanute  Field,  III.,  revoked.' 

Relieved  from  detail  to  the  Air  Corps;  2nd  Lieut.  Martin  Moses  to  the  38th 
Infantry,  Fort  Sill,'  OlfLahoma. 

Captain  Stuart  Cutler  to  the  Philippine  Department  for  duty  with  Infantry. 

2nd  Lieut.  Donald  A.  Stevning  to  30th  Infantry;  Presidio' of  San  Francisco. 

Reserve  Officers  ordered  to  extended  act ive  duty;  January . 2- June  .30,  1931  — 
2nd  Lieuts. ...James  H.  Rowe,  Snokane,  Wash.';'  George  li.  Per cefoll,  Lonoke , Ark. , to 
Post  Field,  Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma  — Leroy " 3,  ’Shidler,.  Marianpa. ' Pa. , to  Langley 
Field,  Va.  — 2nd  Lieut.  Richard  J. ' French , Patsburg,  Ala. , to.Maxwrell  Field, Ala. •- 
October  1 - June  30,  1951:  2nd  Lts.  Francis' A.  Wilgus,  Rockford,  111.  , to 'Soott 
Field,  111.;  Marvin  E.  Wills,  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  to  Fort  Bragg,  N.(J.  — October  15 
June  30,  1931;  2nd  Lieut.  Ashby  H.  Toulmin,  Mobile,  Ala.,  to  Maxwell  Field,  Ala.  - 
Oct.  1 - June  30,  1950:  2nd  Lieut.  Eric  K.  Shilling,  Linthicum  Heights,  Md. , to 
Scott  Field,  111.  — Oct . 1 - March  29 , 1931 ; 2nd  Lieut.  John  K.  Williamson, 

-291-  V-607S ,A. C. 


Monroe,  La..,  to  Fort -Crockett,  Texas. — Jan.  1-Jnne  30,1931:  2nd  Lieut.  Erling 
A.  Strand,  Eugene,  Oregon,  to  Rockwell  Field,  Calif. 

Promotions,  with  rank  from  October  1,  1930;  To  Major;  Captains  William 
C.  Ocker,  William  F.  Volandt,  William  E.  Kenner. 

To  Can tain;  1st  Lieuts.  Vincent  J.  Me loy,  Charles  E.  Branshaw,  Edward  A. 
Raley,  Earle  H.  Tonkin,  James  T.  Hutchison,  Edwin  R.  Page,  Harvey  H.  Holland, 
Russell  L.  Maughan,  Walter  Miller,  Oliver  P.  Gothlin,  Jr. , Eugene  B.  Bayley, 
Dache  McC.  Reeves,  Leo  F.  Post,  John  C.'  Kennedy. 

To  1st  Lieutenant:  2nd  Lieut.  Russell  E.  Randall. 

Retirement;  Major  Jenner  Y.  Chi sum,  August  31,  1930. 

- — oOo 


STATION  ASSIGNMENT  OF  ADVANCED  SCHOOL  GRADUATES 

The  following- named  2nd  Lieutenants  who  graduated  from  the  Advanced  Flying 
School,  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  on  October  11th,  were  assigned  to  duty  at  the 
stations  indicated: 


To  Hawaiian  Department,  sailing  from  San  Francisco  about  Feb.  5,  1931 


Edward  A.  Dodson 
William  C.  Bentley, Jr. 
Robert  E.L.  Choate 
Frederick  R.  Dent,  Jr. 
Rudolph  Fink 


John  C.  Horton 
William  E.  Karnes 
George  McCoy, Jr, 
Thomas  B.  McDonald 
James  L.  Majors 


Howard  Moore 
Pearl  H.  Robey 
John  W.  Stribling,  Jr. 
Charles  G.  Williamson 
Don  Z . Zimmerman 


To  Panama  Canal  Department,  sailing  from  New  York  about  Oct.  23rd; 
Roger  J.  Browne  Thomas  L.  Bryan,  Jr.  Jerald  f.  McCoy  Dwight  B.  Schannep 
Sailing  about  December  2nd; 

George  P.  Moody  John  J.  0‘Hara,  Jr.  Frederic  K.  Smith 


To  Hawaiian  Department . sailing  from  San  Francisco  about  Nov,  20th; 

Donald  W.  Armagost  Harold  H.  Bassett 

To  Mather  Field,  Sacramento.  Calif.; 

Melie  J.  Coutlee  Daniel  C. Doubleday  James  A.  Ellison 

Benjamin  S . Kelsey  Robert  M.  Kraft  Robert  M.  Losey 

Charles  Sommers  Marshall  S.  Roth  Phineas  K.  Morrill,  Jr. 

?°-  Langley  Field,  Hampton,  Va. : 

William  G.  Bowyer  Roy  G.  Cuno  Joseph  J.  Ladd  Thomas  R.  Lynch 
To  Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif.; 

John  N.  Stone  Keene  Watkins  Emery  S.  Wetzel  Donald  J.Kiern 

To  Crissv  Field.  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Calif.; 

John  K.  Poole 

To  Mitchel  Field.  L.I.,  New  York; 

Draper  F.  Henry 

oOo— 


GRADUATION  OF  PRIMARY  "FLYING  SCHOOL  STUDENTS  FROM  BROOKS  FIELD 


Thirty-three  students  of  the  March,  1S30,  Class  graduated  from  the  Air 
Corps  Primary  Flying  School,  Brooks  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  on  Friday, 

October  10th  - two  officers  and  31  Flying  Cadets. 

The  first  item  of  the  graduation  exercises  was  an  aerial  review,  staged  by 
the  graduates,  which  would  have  done  credit  to  veteran  pilots.  They  then  re- 
paired to  the  Ground  School  Building  where,  after  a brief  invocation  by  the 
Chaplain,  Captain  C.S.  Harkey,  interesting  addresses  were  made  to  the  class  by 
Lieut. -Colonel  Clagett,  Commandant  of  the  School,  and  General  Danforth,  Command- 
ing General  of  the  Air  Corps  Training  Center,  Duncan  Field. 

On  Saturday,  in  baggage-laden  cars  and  with  exuberantly  shrieking  sirens, 
the  Class  took  leave  of  Brooks  Field,  bound  for  the  Advanced  Flying  School  at 
Kelly  Field.  Four  more  months  of  arduous  training  and,  at  the  end,  their 
shining  goal  - WINGS! 

Approximately  128  students  are  scheduled  to  enroll  in  the  October,  1930, 
Class  at  the  Primary  Flying  School.  Of  this  number  there  will  be  41  West  Point 
graduates,  four  officers  of  the  Regular  Army  and  one  officer  of  the  German 
Army.  The  remainder  are  Flying  Cadets  and  two  noncommissioned  officers  train- 
ing in  grade. 

-292-  V-6079 ,A.C. 


THE-  MACHINE  GUN  AND  BOMBING,  MATCHES  AT  LANGLEY 

The  following  is  the  result  of  the  Machine  Gan  and.  Bombing  Matches  held, 
at . Langley  Field j "7a. , -during  the  first  twd;;  week.s'  .of  September,  1930: 


- Name  - 

.MATCH  1 

Station  • - 

Score 

Standing 

2nd  Lieut.  A.  T.  Johnson 

. Self ridge  Field,  Mich. 

807.3 

1 

2nd  Lieut.  E.K».  Warburton 

Self ridge  Field,  Mich. 

. 744.2 

2 

2nd  Lieut.-  A .A.  Straub  el ' 

Self  ridge’  Field,  - Mich. 

725.3 

3 

2nd  Lieut.  R.A.  Isreal 

Rockwell  Field,  Calif. 

539.0 

4 

1st  Lieut. #D.F.  Fritqh 

France  Field,  Panama 

332.3  " 

5 

2nd  Lieut.  J.W,  Se'ssums 

MATCH  .2  , 

Maxwell  Field,  Ala. 

803.9 

1 

1st  Lieut.  A.Y.  Smith 

France  Field,.  Panama 

734.5 

2 

2nd  Lieut.  F.A.-  Pillet 

Dodd  Field,  Texas 

698.0 

3 - 

1st  Lieut.  J.J.  Williams 

Crissy  Field,  Calif. 

639  y 3 

4 

1st  Lieut.  F.M.  Paul 

Maxwell  Field,  Ala. 

566.0 

5 

2nd  Lieut.  G.W.  Hansen 

Crissy  Field  ' ' 

462.9. 

6 

2nd  Lieut.  T.L.  Mosely 

Fort  Crockett,  Texas. 

354.0 

7 

1st  Lieut.  C.W.  LavYence 

MATCH  3 . . 

France  Field,  Panama- 

678.0 

1 

Captdin  W.B.  Mayer 

Dodd  Field,  Texas. 

664.5 

2 

Captain  George  Cobb 

Maryland  National  Guard 

268.5 

3 

2nd  Lieut.  A.B.  Duke 

MATCH;  4 " '■ 

Langley  Field,  Ya. 

1756 

1 

1st  Lieut.  H.W.  Beaton 

..  Langley  Field,  Va. 

1749  - : 

2 

2nd  Lieut.  J.P.  Kenney 

Rockwell  Field,  Calif. 

1442 

3 

2nd  Lieut . D .W . Buckman 

' France  Field,  Panama-. 

1391 

4 

2nd  Lieut.  W.A.  Matheny 

Langley  Field,  7a. 

1304  ' 

5 

0O0 


THIRD  ATTACK  GROUP  CELEBRATES  NINTH'  BIRTHDAY 

The  personnel  of  the  Third.  Attack  Group,  Fort  Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas, 
observed  the  ninth  birthday  .of  that  organization  in'  cus-comary  fashion  on 
Saturday,  September  loth. 

The  Officer  of  the  Day,  Lieut.  Jack  Cat chings,  was  rounded  up  by  the  en- 
listed men  and.  placed  in, a dump  cart  .to  lead  a procession  made  up  of  the  Group 
Band  and  about  200  or  more  howling'  soldiers.  Lieut.  Catchings  with  his  retinue 
of  cheering  cohorts  proceeded  directly  to  the  quarters  of  Major  Davenport 
Johnson,  Commanding  Officer  of  Fort  Crockett.  Without1  further  ado,  the  Major 
was  routed  out  of  bed  and  placed  on  trial  for  appearing  before  a court  in  im- 
proper uniform.  After  duly  considering  the  case,  the  judge,  Corporal  John 
Wagner,  fined  the.  Major  an  appropriate  amount  and  lectured  to  him  on  the  evils 
of  appearing  in  public  in  pajamas*  * 

The  Officers’  Club,  which  served  as  a courts-martial  room,  was  jammed  with 
officers  awaiting,  trial  for  various  offenses.  From  the  fines  collected  the  men 
secured  the  use  of  a dance,  hall,  where  a good  time  Was-  had  by  all  present. 

oOo 

■ ARMY,  AlREiN  makes  two  jumps  within  three  days 

The  fact  that,  he  jumped  .with  his  parachute  at  4,  000  feet  from  a disabled 
airplane  over  Fort  Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas,  recently,  and  thereby  joined  the 
Caterpillar  Club,  apparently  .wrought  no  change  in  the  nlans  of  Lieut.  Harry  L. 
Clark,  Air  Corps,  8th  Attack-. Squadron,  who  was  Scheduled  to  make  a premeditated 
jump  - into  matrimony  - two  days  later,-  fcr  he  was  married  to  Miss  Coronal 
Kercheville  at  Pearsall,  Texas.  -It  was  reported  that  the  newlyweds  enjoyed 
their  honeymoon  at  Lieut.  Clark* s home  at  Aurora,  111. 

As  far  as  our  knowledge  gees,  there'  are  five  members  of  the  fair  sex, 
affiliated  with; the  Caterpillar  Club,  who  hold  "the  warmest  regard  for  the  para- 
chute. It  is  safe  to  say,  however,  that  their  feelings,  are  shared  to  the  ut- 
most by  another  one  of  rtheir  sex  in  the  person  of  Mrs.  Harry  L.  Clark. 

Congratulations  and  best  wishes  to  the  haopy  counle. 

-293- 


V~'6079 , A. C. 


CONNECTICUT  NATIONAL  GUARD  AIRMEN  CONDUCT  VERY  SUCCESSFUL  GAMP 
By  the  News  Letter  Correspondent 

The  1930  Camp  .of  the  43rd  Division  Aviation,  Connecticut  National  Guard, 
will  he  long  remembered  for  several  reasons  - first , we  accumulated  a lot  of 
flying  time,  238  hours:  second,  there  was  such  a large  number  of  visitors, 
among  whom  were  Lieut. -Governor  Rogers  with  a party  of  friends;  General  Wm.  F. 
Ladd,  our  former  Commanding  Officer;  Lieut. -Colonel  Rash  B.  Lincoln,  \?ho  is  Air 
Officer  of  the  First  Corps  Area;  Colonel  Clennard  McLoughlin,  the  senior  in- 
structor of  the  Connecticut  National  Guard;  Lieut .-Colonel  Arthur  D.  Budd,  who 
is  about  to  take  Colonel  McLoughlin* s place;  Captain  George  W.  McEntire,  Instruc- 
tor  of  the  Massachusetts  National  Guard  Aviation,  who  spent  the  entire  period  of 
camp  with  us;  Major  Boutwell,  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Massachusetts 
National  Guard  Aviation;  Lieut.  Baker,  the  Communications  Officer  of  Massachu- 
setts National  Guard  Aviation;  Captain  Hodges  of  the  Massachusetts  National 
Guard  Aviation;  Captain  Vincent  Meloy  of  the  Militia  3ureau,  and  Captain  Smith 
and  Lieut.  Cummings  of  the  Ohio  National  Guard  Aviation:  and  third,  because  of 
the  magnificent  new  .quarters  for  the  officers,  which  is  a concrete  building  200 
feet  long  by  40  feet  wide,  and  which  contains  besides  the  officers'  sleeping 
quarters  a large  reception  room  nicely  fitted  up  with  large  chairs  and  lounges, 
tables  and  radio,  armament  room,  radio  room,  lavatories,  and  heating  plant. 

This  building  was  the  admiration  of  all  who  saw  it. 

Most  of  the  time  at  the  camp  was  devoted  to  gunnery.  Both  preliminary  and 
record  shooting  at  ground  targets  were  completed.  It  is  contemplated  that  as 
soon  as  possible  after  camp  the  remainder- of  the  course  will  be  completed,  vizi 
bombing  and  tow  target.  Lieut.  Lester  had  the  highest  score  at  ground  targets 
with  a total  of  534  points,  which  will  nenessitate  his  obtaining  approximately 
only  100  points  in  the  next  two  to  qualify  him  as  an  expert.  While  \ve  are  not 
ashamed  of  the  rear-gun  shooting,  still  we  haven’t  much  to  boast  of. 

We  also  cooperated  with  the  192nd  Field  Artillery  in  maneuvers  on  Stone 
Ranch,  including  aerial  photos  of  artillery  positions,  reconnaissance  and  com- 
munication missions. 

The  remainder  of  the  camp  was  spent  in  training  in  all  phases  of  communica- 
tion, message  pick-up,  radio  and  panels.  One  of  the  pilots  became  so  efficient 
in  message  pick-up  that  he  ignored  the  "fish"  and  picked  up  the  message  with 
his  landing  gear.  However,  for  this  he  was  not  accredited  with  an  extra  point. 

A smoke  puff  range  was  installed  and  interesting  missions  in  artillery 
spotting  were  worked  out.  Arrangements  were  made  with  the  Commanding  Officer  cf 
the  Submarine  Base,  located  at  New  London,  Conn.,  to  carry  out  communication 
tests  with  Subs  not  submerged,  but  cruising  on  the  surface  outside  the  harbor. 
Satisfactory  communication  was  established  between  the  plane  and  four  different 
Subs  within  a radius  of  between  25  and  30  miles  away. 

On ’Governor’ s Day,"  after  the  quarters  and  ships  were  inspected  by  the 
Lieut. -Governor  and  his  party,,  the  Squadron  put  on  an  Aerial  Review.  The  planes 
took  off  in  three  formations  of  three  ships  each,  passed  in  review  and  then  im- 
mediately demonstrated  the  various  phases  of  work  carried  out  at  camp. 

The  Photo  Section  was  extremely  busy  and  did  much  excellent  work  under  the 
leadership  of  Lieut.  Fred  Sansom.  All  of  the  flying  personnel  had  missions  in 
obliques  and  pin-points.  A mosaic,  seven  miles  square,  was  completed.  This 
mosaic  was  of  one- third  of  Stone  Ranch;  the  other  two- thirds  will  be  completed 
before  the  1931  encampment. 

Perfect  flying  weather  was  encountered  during  the  entire  .camp.  Promptness 
at  the  very  beginning  of  the  camp  was  demanded  by  Major  Johnson,  with  the  result 
that  all  of  the  ships  were  warmed  up  and  ready  to  take  off.  each  morning  at  7;  30, 
and  no  excuse  for  any  tardiness  on  the  part  of  a pilot  was  accepted  by  the 
Major. 

The  camp  .was  a most  successful  one  in  every  way,  and  at  the  Officers'  Class 
on  the  last  day  of  the  camp  Major  Johnson  complimented  the  officers  for  their 
"efficiency,  early  hour  for  retiring  and  high  moral  standards." 

— r oOo— — — • 

Nine  airplanes  from  the  First  Pursuit  Group,  Self ridge  Field,  Mt.  Clemens, 
Mich.,  were  flown  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio , oh  the  occasion  of  the  dedication  of  the 
Lunken  Airport.  The  pilots  composing- the  flight  reported  a very  successful 
trip  and  a nleasant  stay  in  Cincinnati. 

-294- 


V-6079 , A. C. 


■ some  sot  shots  oh  flies  v- 

"Back  in  19.21 . " writes  the  March . Field  Correspondent,  "Captain  H,  well 
known  Air  Corps  officer,  commanded  an"  Air  Corps  organization  on  the  side  of 
Diamond  Head,  Hawaiian  Islands.  . The  outfit  was  in  tents  and  a temporary  wooden 
structure  was  used  as  a mess  hall*.  Due  to  the  number  of  cracks  and  holes  in 
the  building,  it  was  impossible  to  keep  flies  out. 

The  Department  Inspector  on  his  annual  inspection  noted  this,  and  in  his 
letter  setting  forth  the  irregularities  and  discrepancies  noted,  he  stated  under 
paragraph  lc  ’Too  many  flies  in  the  kit Chen . 1 It  was  necessary  for  Captain  H.' 
to  answer  this  letter,  replying  as  to  what  corrective  measures  he  had  taken  oh 
these  irregularities  and  discrepancies.  Coming  to  this  paragraph,  he  growled 
and  said:  ’What  does  he  mean  Too  many  flies  in  the  kitchen;  are  we  supposed  to 
have  any?  I’ll  answer  a quick  one  on  that  one. ’ Sitting  down  he  answered  para- 
graph 1 c,  as  follows:  'Information  is  requested  as  to  how  many  flies  are  al- 
lotted to  a company  of  one  hundred  men. ' 

The  Inspector  was  hot,  but  realized  that  he  had  worded  his  phrase  poorly. 
Hot  to  be  outdone  by  a youngster,  he  came  back  with  this  fast  one.  'In  regard 
to  your  request  in  paragraph  1 c,  this  information  is  not  available  at  this 
time.  However,  G-4  is  working  on  it  and  shortly  a bulletin  will  be  issued 
setting  forth  the  Table  of  Allowances.'" 

— oOo— 

TWELFTH-  OBSERVATION  SQUADRON  QUALIFIES  100  PEHCEUT 

The  12th  Observation  Squadron,  stationed  at  Dodd  Field,  Fort  Sam  Houston, 
Texas,  recently  returned  from  Bays ide  Beach,  Texas,  where  during  the  period  of 
three  weeks  they  participated  in  the  annual  gunnery  and  bombing  training. 

All  of  the  commissioned  personnel  participating  in  the  firing  made  qualify- 
ing Scores,  for  out  of  the  24  officers  to  fire  this- pilots'  course,  12  qualified 
as  experts,  7 as  .sharpshooters  and  5 as  marksmen.  Of  the  8 officers  to  fire  the 
observers'  course,  all  qualified  as  experts.  This  may  well  he  considered  an 
exceptional  record. 

The  camp  was  inspected  by  Brigadier  Generals  Halstead  Dorey  and  S.D. 
Rockenbach,  both  of  whom  were  very  complimentary,  stating  that  they  had  no 
criticisms  or  suggestions  to  offer  whereby  the  camp  might  he  improved. 

Very  little  trouble  was  experienced  with  the  new  0~19B;  s and  the  pilots, 
while  at  first  very  skeptical,  now  have  nothing  but  praise  for  the  new  ships. 

oOo 

FIRST  PURSUIT  GROUP  WELCOMES  FRENCH  TRANS-ATLAUTI C FLYERS 

One  of  the  most  interesting  flights  furnished  by  the  1st  Pursuit  Group 
during  the  month  of  August  was  the  formation  of  eighteen  planes  which  on  Sept. 
17th  met  Coste  and  Bellonte  and  welcomed  them  to  Detroit.  The  Squadron,  led  by 
Captain  Victor  Strahm,  cruised  over  Toledo  until  the  French  plane  appeared  from 
the  South,  and  then  escorted  the  French  flyers  to  the  Municipal  Airport  in 
Detroit.  The  next  day  Major  Coste  and  Lieut.  Bellonte  visited  Selfridge  Field. 
Major  Coste  was  extremely  interested  in  the  formation  flying  demonstrated  by 
the  Group. 

After  the  demonstration  flight,  Major  Coste  personally  thanked 'the  officers 
for  meeting  them  in  the  air  and  for  the  morning  flight. 

oOo- — 

NINETIETH  ATTACK  SQUADRON  WINS  BASEBALL  CHAMPIONSHIP 

In  the  presence  of  the  assembled  squadrons  and  detachments  of  the  Third 
Attack  Croup,  Fort  Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas,-  Major  Davenport  Johnson,  Command- 
ing Officer  of  the  post,  recently  presented  each  member  of  the  baseball  team  of 
the  90th  Attack  Squadron  with  a gold  baseball,  this  in  recognition  of  the  fact 
that  the  team  won  the  post  cham-piohship  for  1930.  A beautiful  silver  cup  was 
presented  to  Lieut.  Lawrence  Westley,  manager  of  the  team,  by  'Major  Johnson,  who 
complimented-  the.-  men- .-for"  the  splendid  spirit  they  exhibited  throughout  the 
season.  The  60th  Squadron,  champions  of  1929,  were  considered  the  best  team 
on  the  post  at  the  beginning  of  the  season,  but  they  were  outplayed  by  the  90th 
aggregation  in  almost  every  game. 


-295- 


V-S079 ,A. C. 


FIRST'  PURSUI TERS  Will  AERIAL  GUNNERY  MATCHES 


It  was  with  a great  deal  of  satisfaction  that  the  First  Pursuit  Group  of  the 
Air  Corps,  Selfridge  Field,  Mt.  Clemens,  Mich.,  noted  the  outcome  of  the  Annual 
Gunnery  and  Bombing  Matches  at  Langley  Field,  Va. , this  year.  The  Group  ran  away 
with  the  contest  in  one,  two,  three  order,  calling  a halt  on  the  winning  streak 
of  the  Pur suiters  from  Panama. 

Lieut s.  A.T.  Johnson,  E.K.  Warburton  and  A. A.  Straubel,  comprising  the  team 
from  the  First  Pursuit  Group,  were  credited  with  scores  of  807,  744  and  725 
points,  respectively,  and  headed  the  competition  in  the  order  named.  Members -of 
the  Group  are  showing  their  appreciation  of  the  good  work  of  these  pilots  in  the 
form  of  presentation  of  a saber  and  a musette  bag. 

— — oOo — - 

FOOTBALL  STAR  TO  COACH  BROOKS  FIELD  TE&M 


Brooks  Field,  by  virtue  of  becoming  the  flying  training  station  for  gradu- 
ates of  the  United  States  Military  Academy,  has  been  singularly  fortunate  in  re- 
ceiving splendid  coaching  material.  This  has  recently  been  excellently  demon- 
strated in  the  matriculation  of  Lieut.  John  H..  Murrel*.  one  of  the  most  outstand- 
ing athletes  to  be  graduated  from  West  Point. 

Lieut.  Murrel  won  distinction  and  wide  recognition  for  his  expert  handling 
of  the  full  back  position. on  the  Army  team  during  the  past  season,  and  while  at 
West  Point  further  proved  his  versatility  in  sports  by  outstanding  performances 
in  track  (hurdles)  and  La  Crosse.  Just  before  reporting  at  Brooks  Field,  he 
spent  a portion  of  his  summer  coaching  the  "plebe"  football  team  during -their 
summer  training. 

By  reason  of  his  unusual  record,  Lieut.  Murrel  was  offered  the  position  of 
coach  of  the  football  team  of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Calif.  He  declined 
the  offer ,.  preferring  to  enter  Air  Cor;s  training.  He  also  received  flattering- 
offers  to  play  professional  football  with  the  Hew  York  Giants  which,  as  is  well 
known,  occupies  almost  the  eminence  in  football  as  in  baseball,  but  he  also 
refused  to  accept  same,  for  to  do  so  would  have  necessitated  his  leaving  the 
Army. 

Football  devotees  of  Brooks  Field  feel  that  their  team  has  more  than  an 
even  chance  of  winning  the  banner  of  the  Eighth  Corps  Area  Conference,  and  much 
interest  is  centered  in  the  team  by  both  Army  and  civilian  personnel  of  the 
entire  Area.  ___o0o 

CALIFORHIA  GUARDSMEH  PERFORM  COHSIDERABLS  FLYING  DURING  TRAINING 


Out  of  the  mass  of  records  from  the  1930  training  camp,  attended  by  the 
40th  Division  Aviation,  California  National  Guard,  comes  the  following  statistics 
which  may  be  of  interest: 

Number  of  aircraft  hours  flown  351 

Number  of  airplanes  S 

Number  of  man  hours  flown  675 

Number  of  pilots  13  •-  « ■ 

Number  of  days  flying  ' 11 

From  these  figures  it  may  be  deduced  that  an  average  of  32  hours  per  day 
were  flown  bjr  the  nine  ships.  Each  ship  was  flown  an  average  of  3-g  hours  per 
day.  Each  pilot  flew  an  average  of  27  hours  during  the  camp,  besides  an  average 
of  four  hours  observer  time. 

The  camp  attendance  for  the  unit  (115th  Observation  Squadron)  was  - 
Officer  strength  17  Attended  camp  15. 

Enlisted  strength  85  Attended  camp  63. 

The  two  officers  missing  above  were  both  on  extended  leave,  one  being  out 
of  the  State  and  the  other  in  Europe.. 

The  40th  Division  Aviation  is  very  proud  of  the  records  made  by  its  enlist- 
ed men  at  the  1930  camp.  Although  a considerable  percentage  of  .them  were  new  at 
the  Army  game,  each  man  took  his  job  seriously,  with  the  result  that  all  sections 
clicked  satisfactorily  under  the  guidance  of  the  experienced  key  men  and  the 
supervision  of  its  section  officers.  The  Engineering,  Communications  and  Photo- 
graphic sections  especially,  due  to  more  experienced  personnel,  hung  up  enviable 
records . 

-296-  7-6079,  A.C. 


-296- 


P-12C's  VERSUS  LOCKHEED  VEGA. 


Enroute  to  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  three  members  of  the  17th  Squadron,  First 
Pursuit  Group,'  Selfridge  Field,’  Mich.  , Captain  Hoyt,  Lieuts. .Warburton  and 
Van  Auken,  figured  in  an  interesting  episode  which  was  not  included  in  their 
program.  A Lockheed  Vega  with  N.A.C.A:.  cowling,  faired  wheels  and  other  latest 
improvements,  came  up  and  passed  their  P-12C' s.  Immediately  the  three  officers 
changed  from  cruising  speed  to  ''nose  down  and  wide  out"  for  a while  and  found 
that  they  could  hold  their  own  with  the  speedy  Lockheed.  ‘The  airspeed  went  up 
to  about  185  miles  per  hour.  In  climbing,  the  P-12C' s completely  outclassed 
the  Lockheed. 

Between  9:PQ  p,m.  and  midnight.,  September  18th,  the  officers  above  mention- 
ed were  made  aware  of  the  fact  that  they  were  taking  off  the  following  mornibg 
at  6;00  a.m.  for  Minneapolis  and  St.  Paul.  Accordingly,  they  cheerfully  "gave 
her  the  needle"  the  next  morning,  still  wondering  what  they  were  going  for. 

Three  of  the  Group’s  new  P-12C! s were  used  for  the  trip.  Upon  arriving  at 
Wold- Chamberlin  Field  the  three  Army  airmen  found  plenty  to  do.  They  celebrated 
the  dedication  of  a new  airport  building,  the  arrival  of  Coste  and  Bellonte  at 
both  Minneapolis  and  St.  Paul,  and  participated  in  the  Army  Relief  Show  at  Fort 
Snell ing,  Minn. 

Hot  content  with  the  above  functions , these  officers  also  lent  a helping 
hand  in  welcoming  the  arrival  of  the  Norwegian  Ship  (name  unknown)  which  had 
sailed  so  slowly  across  the  ocean  in  contrast  to  the  speedy  flight  of  the 
French  "Question  Mark." 

Captain  Hoyt  and  his  two  fellow  flyers  reported  that  they  were  well  taken 
care  of  by  the  Fort  Snelling  officers,  and  their  expenses  were  borne  by  the  Army 
Relief  Show  funds.  Their  home  was  the  Hotel  Lowry,  and  their  purchasing  power 
consisted  of  "signing  for  it." 

The  flight  returned  to  Selfridge  Field  on  Monday,  Sept.  22nd,  0.K-.  , and 
another  cross-country  flight  was  thus  successfully  completed. 

oOo 

VIGOROUS  WORKOUT  FOR  MARSHALL  FIELD  AIRMEN 

The  annual  training  program  of  the  12th  Observation’ Squadron,  Air  Corps , 
stationed  at  Marshall  Field,  Fort  Riley,  Kansas,  was  inaugurated  with  a bang 
on  September  15th.  The  program  included  about  every  type  of  mission  known  to 
observation  aviation,  and  the  pilots  as  well  as  the  airplanes  were  given  a 
vigorous  workout,  : 

According  to  the  News  Letter  Correspondent  - "The  afternoons  of  golf, 
swimming,  riding,  etc.  , during  the  simmer  months  seem  to  have  had  a stimulating 
effect  on  the  personnel  for,  as  we  return  to  the  serious  side  of  military  ex- 
istence, we  find  the  squadron  esprit  de  corps  running  high  and  an  abundance  of 
energy.  Both  the  flying  and  ground  personnel  are  performing  their  duties  with 
gusto  and  commendable  efficiency.  And,  too,  our  new  0-25A  airplanes  are 
deserving  of  honorable  mention. " 

• — oCo 

RESERVE  OFFICERS  COMPETE  AGAINST  REGULARS  IN  SHOOT' 

Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  on  September  19th,  was  the  scene  of  an  interest- 
ing pistol  competition  between  .the  Air  Corps  Regular  officers  stationed  at  that 
field  and  resident  Air  Corps  Reserve  officers.  The  result  of  the  "Shoot"  was  a 
victory  for  the  Regulars,  whose  team  average  score  of  84.4  was  nearly  ten  points 
higher  than  their  competitors. 

Lieut..  H.-G.  Crocker,  one  of  the  foremost  pistol  shots  in  the  Air  Corps,  was 
"high  gun"  with  an  average  score  of  96  points.  In  the  slow  firing,  Captain  B.C. 
Hill,  of  the  Regulars,  and  2nd  Lieut.  T.B.  Holliday,  Reserve,  each  totalled  97 
points.  Captain  Hill,  with  94.5  points,  was  also  high  man  in  the  rapid  firing. 

Scoring  perfect  marks  of  100  points  in  the  quick  firing  were  Major  John  D. 
Reardan,  Captain  C.F.  Hofstetter,  Lieut.  E.G.  Crocker  and  Lieut.  J.F.  Phillips , 
of  the  Regulars,  and  Major  D.M.  Warner,  Captain  W.W.  Knisely  and  2nd  Lieut. 
Holliday  of  the  Reserves. 

Sometime  previous  to  this  competition,  the  same  ten  Reserve  officers  on 
their  record  of  fire  on  the  same  course  made  a team  average  of  87.5,  ?/hich  score 
would  have  won  the  competition  against  the  Regulars. 

-297- 


V-6079 , A. C 


Major  Reardan* . Commanding  Officer  of  Wright  Field,  states  that  this  competi- 
tion was ' conducive  oil  considerable  pleasure  as  well  as  instruction,  and  has  cre- 
ated much  interest  among  the  personnel  of  Wright  Field.  He  further  states  that 
it  is  planned  to  have  many  of  these  matches  and  also  to  engage  in  competition 
with  teams  from  other  stations. 

The  scores  of  the  individual  members  participating  in  the  match  between  the 
Regulars  and  Reserves  are  given  below,  as  follows: 

OFFI  CERS  OF  THE  REGULAR  ARMT 
Percent  - Class  of  Fire 


Name 

SI  ow 

Rapid 

Quick 

Average 

Lieut.  II. G.  Crocker 

96 

“92 

100 

96. 

Cant . 3. C.  Kill 

97 

94.5 

93.3  : 

'95 

Cant.  C.F.  Hofstetter 

95 

88 

100 

94.3 

Lieut.  J.F.  Phillips 

90 

•84.5 

100 

91.5 

Major  J.D.  Reardan 

91 

.78.5 

100 

39.8- 

Major  W.H.  Grom 

. 90 

82 

93.3 

88.4  ' 

Lieut.  H.R.  Wells 

78 

80 

93.3 

33.8. 

Cant.  C.F.  Greene 

69 

71.5 

80 

73.5.  ■ • 

Major  H.H.  Arnold  . 

81 

67 

60 

. 69.3 

Lieut.  L.C.  Hurd 

69 

44 

73 

62.1 

Team ; Average 

84.4 

OFFICERS  OF 

THE  RESERVE 

CORPS 

2nd  Lieut.  T.3.  Holliday 

97 

79.5 

100 

92.2 

Captain  W.W.  Knisley 

. 89 

79.5 

100 

39.5 

Major  D.M.  Warner 

91 

75.5 

100 

88.8  1 

1st  Lieut.  H.E.  Smith 

87 

70 

80 

79  ' 

2nd  Lieut.  D.S.  Ruinel 

87 

69 

80 

78.6 

Captain  G.R.  Larkin 

84 

74.5 

60 

72.8 

2nd  Lieut.  W.L.  Loyd 

89 

67 

53.3 

59.8 

1st  Lieut . R . P . Ri chmond . 

■ 82  . 

60 

53.3 

55.1 

2nd  Lieut.  S.R.  Carpenter 

68 

55 

46.7 

56.6 

1st  Lieut.  W.A.  Oswalt 

58. 

61 

'40  ■ 

52.3 

Team  Average 

74.5 

oOo 

GREAT  SNAKES'. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen I We  now  have  before  you  a genuine  rep- tile , the  only 
one  in  captivity  to  take  a ride  in  the  vertical  fin  of  an  airplane!  The  honor 
of  being  the  first  Air  Corps  officer  to  carry  a passenger,  er  rep- tile, in  this 
most  unusual  place  goes  to  Lieut.  A.F.  Solter,  of  the  95th  Pursuit  Squadron, 
Rockwell  Field. , Calif . 

Lieut.  Solter,  who  is  a full  fledged  member  of  the  Caterpillar  Club  and  who 
recently  had  this  unique  experience  of  transporting  by  air  this  six-foot  gopher 
snake,  had  finished  bore-sighting  his  machine  guns  on  the  range  and  left  his 
ship  to  assist  the  other  pilots.  Upon  returning  to  take  off,  he  noticed  some- 
thing protruding  from  the  vertical  fin  of  his  ship.  Imagine  his  embarrassment, 
ladies  and  gentlemen,-  upon  approaching  his  -plane  to  see  the  head  of  a snake 
popping  out  of  the  fin!  Undaunted,  he  flew  the  ship  back  to  the  line. 

A council  of  war  was  then  held  as  to  the  best  method  of  ousting  the  un- 
welcome passenger,  during  the  course  of  which  an  excessive  amount  of  advice  was 
offered.  Finally,  gasoline  was  poured  into  the  fin  to  induce  Mr.  Snake  to  make 
his  exit.  Consistent  and  persistent  efforts  were  finally  rewarded  when  the 
rep-tile  lifted  his  head  for  a breath  of  fresh  air,  and  he  was  extracted  by  the 
medium  of  one  pair  of  G. I.  pliers. 

— -0O0 

TRAINING  ACTIVITIES  AT  ROCKWELL  FIELD 


Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif.,  was  the  scene  of  intense  activity  prepa- 
ratory to  the  start  of  the  training  season.  All  'ships  were  given  complete 
mechanical  and  structural  check;  and  guns  were  installed.  In  the  95tli  Pursuit 
Squadron,  the  P~12A's  were  painted  from  nose  to  tail.  "A"  Flight  sports  red 
noses,  wheels  and  tail  assemblies;  "3"  -Flight  wings  through  the  ether  with  green 
as  their  chosen  color,  and  "C"  Flight  flaunts  a foreboding  black.  The  95th  -*  ■ 

-•298-  V-6079 , A.C. 


is  very  proud  of  their  equipment  and  are  determined  to  reach  the  pinnacles  of 
success  again  this  year. 

The  11th  Bombardment-  Squadron  has  practically  all  of  its  "Condors"  ih  com- 
mission. These  shins  -were  painted,  radios  die  died  and  insignias  placed  on  the 
noses.  Inasmuch  '-as  bombing  starts  with  the  training  season,  the  bomb  racks,  were 
prepared  and  bomb '.-sights  installed.  The  11th  Squadron  is  expected  to  make  a 
very  good  showing  this  Season,'  and  everyone  can  expect  to  hear  from;  the  Squadron 
in  the  near  futur.u  : ’ 

: Tile  training  season  opened  October  1st  with  an  aerial  ’ review  by  the  11th 
and  95th.  Majors  Barton  K.  Yount  and  Carl  Spats  inspected  "the  personnel  and  were 
in  the  reviewing  staftd  as  the  B-2’s  and' R-12 ! s -roared,  by  in  formation.  Both 
squadrohs  engaged  in  formation  drill  for  a short,  time.  The 'pilots  were  very 
enthusiastic  "to  be  in  harness  again,"  and  were  high  in  their  praise,  of  the  men 
responsible  for  the  appearance  and  condition  of  the  ships. 

— oOo— 


' '-CLIMBING  ABILITY  • OB  THE  3P-12  C . ' 

.During  the  time  that  several  flights  of  the:  First'  Pursuit  Group,  Selfridge 
Field,  Mt'.  Clemens,  Mich.  .recently  participated  in  the  ceremonies  at  the  Ford 
Airport  incident  to  welcoming  home  the  National  Reliability  Tour,  Major  Gerald 
S.  Brower,  the  Group  Commander,'  in  response  to  a request  of  the  officials  in 
.charge,  -demonstrated  the' climbing  ability  and  speed  of  the  new  P-12C  Pursuit 
plane.  He  climbed  to  10,000  feet  and  dove  back  to  the  ground  in  a total  time 
of  only  five  minutes.  • 

Making  the  flight  to  the  Fold- Airport- was  the  Commander  of  the  First  Pursuit 
Group  and  a composite  squadron,  consisting  of  a flight  each  of  P-l’s,  P-IBB’s, 
and  P-12C's,  led  by  Lieut.  Griffith.  The  air  was  extremely  rough,'  and  the  an- 
nouncer at  the'  Airport  waxed  enthusiastic  in  his  comments  on  the  ability  of  the 
Pursuiters  to  stay  in  close.  . 

• — -oOo; — 

HIGH  ALTITUDE  FLYING  BY  94th  PURSUIT  SQUADRON 

Some  of  -the  interesting  "work  recently  performed  by  • the  94th  Squadron,  1st 
Pursuit  Group,  Selfridge  Field,  Mich. , included  formation  flying  at  high  alti- 
tudes. Along  this  line,  in  order  to  effect  a good  test  of  oxygen  equipment  and 
the  feasibility  of  Pursuit  formation  at  higher  altitudes,  a cross-country  trip 
was  planned  to  Muskeegan;  Michigan,-  returning  at  25,000  f feet  altitude. 

It  happened  that  the  City  of  Muskeegan  desired  to  dedicate  its  new .airport 
early  in  September,  and  the  '94th  Squadron  sent  nine  ships  over  for  some  exhibi- 
tion work..  Each  of  the  three  elements  of  the  formation  were  sent  over  differ- 
ent routes  with  orders  to' rendezvous  over  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.  Each  element 
arrived  at  the  appointed  hour-,  and  the  problem  proved  very  satisfactory.  From 
Grand  Rapids  - the ' three  element  s 'flew" as  olie  flight  to  Muskeegan. 

The  weather  was  rather  warm  and,  since  the  problem  was  conducted  at  ordi- 
nary cross- country:. altitudes-,-  the  heavy  wih ter  flying  equipment  Was  stowed  in 
the  roomy  baggage  compartment  of  the  P-12*s.' 

After  a very  enjoyable  day  and  night  at  Muskeegan  (excepting  th.e  Sand  burs 
collected  by  all  concerned)1,  the  pilots  all 'donned  the  winter  suits,  boots  and 
gloves  and,  too,  .'the  face  masks.  Needless  : to  say,  oxygen; 'tank's  and. valves  were 
carefully  checked  for  the -19C-.-mile  trfp- back  to  Selfridge'- Field  - then  off  for 
the  higher  atmosphere.  At  15,0G0:  feet  each  pilot  started  using  his  oxyg’eh',  and 
as  more  altitude  was  gained  the  valves  were  opened  a bit  more.  No'  doubt  a few 
of  the  new  pilots  experienced  some  peculiar  sensations  when  they,  forgot  to' draw 
the  oxygen  into  their  lungs,  or  became  bo  interested  in  formation  work  that 
they  accidentally ’dropped  the  tube  out  of  their  mouths,  but  evidently  they  found 
out  by  experience  ju-s-fc  hew' to  keep  in  good  condition  at  the.,  high  ceiling.  ' 

At-  between  20, 000.  and '25, 000-  feet,  the  ■ ’Supercharged  "Wasps"'  worked  perfect- 
ly and  .carried  the.  little  F~  12 ! s oh  a record  flight'  from- iv&skeegan  to  Selfridge 
in  just  one  hour  and  15  minutes'.  - 

Lieut.  Harry  A.  Johnson,  Commanding  Officer  of  the  94th  Pur bb.it  Squadron, 
has  had  considerable  experience  in  high  altitude  work,  and  -promises  other  inter- 
esting-work with  oxygen  for  pilots  in  the  Squadron.  prior  to  being’  assigned  to 
duty  at  Selfridge  Field,  Lieut.  Johnson  served  as  Test  Pilot  at  Wright  Field. 

-299-  V-6079,  A.C. 


PLYING  -INSTRUCTORS  SCHOOL  GOSS  INTO  SESSION  ONCE  MORE 

Officers  from  various  Air  Corps- flying  fields,  21  in  all,  entered  the 
Plying  Instructors1  School  at  Kelly 'Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  which  started 
on  September  16th  under  the  direction  of  Captain  J.K.  Cannon,  assisted  by 
Lieuts.  C.K.  Rich,  E.J.  Rogers,  Jr.,  and  B.M.  Hovey,  Jr.,  of  Brooks  Field. 

The  officers  taking  the  course  are  Captain  C.Wi-  Ford,  Lieuts.  J.W.  McCauley, 
J.N.  Jones  and  J.P.  Haney  of  Brooks  Field;  Lieuts.  J.W  Hart,  J.P.  Bailey, 

R.B.  Williams  and  C.H.  Dowman,  of  March  Field,  Calif.;  Lieut.  E.H.  Rice  of  Dodd 
Field;  Lieut.  W.H.  McArthur  of  Maxwell  Field,  Ala.;  Lieut.  G.F.  Hix  of  Fort 
Riley,  Kansas;  Lieuts.  G.F.  Kinzie  and  R.L.  Winn,  of  Fort  Crockett,  Texas; 
Lieuts.  K.A.  Rogers,  O.L.  Grover,  P.B.  Wurt smith  and  E.H.  Alexander,  of 
Selfridge  Field,  Mich.;  Lieuts.  H.R.  Grater,  W.A.  Matheny,  R.A . Murphy  and  J.H. 
Wallace,  of  Langley  Field,  Va; 

Upon  the  completion  of  the  course,  the  officers  will  be  assigned  to  vari- 
ous school  units  as  instructors. 

0O0 

AIR  CORPS  PARTICIPATION  IN  ARMY  RELIEF  CARNIVAL  IN  WASHINGTON 

During  the  Carnival  for  the  Army  Relief  Fund  which  was  recently  held  at 
Washington  Barracks,  D.C.,  the  Air  Corps  participated  to  the  extent  of  sending 
nine  Boeing  P-12's  of  the  1st  Pursuit  Group,  Self ridge  Field,  Mt.  Clemens, 

Mich.,  and  six  Bombers  from  the  2nd  Bombardment  Group,  Langley  Field,  Va. 

The  Pursuit  ships  were  from  the  94th  Squadron,  under  the  command  of  1st  Lieut. 
Harry  A.  Johnson. 

While  in  Washington,  the  Pursuit  flight  conducted  acrobatics  and  exhibi- 
tion flights,  and  performed  exhibition  attacks  on  Bombers,  Attack  ships  and 
Tanks.  The  Pursuiters  reported  an  interesting  trip  and  stated  that  it  proved 
very  instructive  for  the  personnel  concerned. 

Captain  St.  Clair  Street^, Chief  of  the  Flying  Branch,  Wright  Field,  was 
also  in  attendance  at  the  Carnival,  and  was  very  much  in  evidence  flying  the 
Comet  Ship,  a regular  P-1  rigged  up  with  magnesium  flares  under  the  lower  wing. 

Three  pilots  from  France  Field,  Panama  Canal  Zone,  stationed  temporarily 
at  Bolling  Field,  flew  the  three  ships,  known  as  the  " Fireflies, 11  during  the 
Carnival.  Their  night  flights  dver  the  National  Capital  attracted  considerable 
attention  and  interest.  These  three  officers,  Lieuts.  Davies,  A.Y.  Smith  and 
Buckman  were  at  Bolling  Field  awaiting  to  return  to  the  so-called  tropics. 

oOo 

A GOLF  WAR  BETWEEN  KELLY  AND. FT.  CROCKETT 

At  first  it  was  a war  of  words  between  the  devotees  of  the  ancient  Scotch 
game  inhabiting  the  respective  sacred  precints  of  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  and  Fort 
Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas,  but  later  on,  when  matters  had  reached  such  a 
stage  that  there  was  nothing  left  to  do  but  "fight,"  the  actual  combat  took 
place,  and  the  vanquished  golfers  were  forced  to  eat  their  words  - and  they 
were  some  words,  believe  you^ma. 

The  whole  trouble  started  when  Captain  3.J.  Idzorek,  Air  Corps,  Golf  Repre- 
sentative of  Fort  Crockett,  addressed  the  following  challenge  to  the  Golf  Repre- 
sentative of  the  San  Antonio  Air  Depot,  under  date  of  August  22nd,  viz; 

"1.  On  my  last  trip  to  San  Antonio  Air  Depot  I witnessed  what  was  optimis- 
tically described  as  a ’Golf  Tournament’  on  your  Station  Golf  Course.  The 
start  of  this  so  called  tournament  was  most  inspiring.  Duncan  Field’s  hand- 
somest officers  all  togged  out  in  short  pants  and  hairy  legs  gathered  about 
the  first  tee  discussing  handicaps,  birdies  ana  pars  in  a most  blase  and  pro- 
fessional manner.  Sez  I to  myself,  'These  are  Golfers! J ! ' And  then  the  first 
foursome  tee'd  off!!!  It  was  sad  - it  was  true  - not  a Golfer  in  the  Tourna- 
ment. My  practiced  eye  noted  at  a glance  that  all  of  your  golfers  obtained 
their  instructions  via  correspondence  course,  but  in  spite  of  that  it  was 
noted  that  several  showed  signs  of  human  intelligence  in  the  manner  in  which 
they  grasped  the  golf  clubs.  With  proper  assistance  and  fifty  or  sixty  years 
of  practice  you  may  break  90,  and  right  here  the  Third  Attack  Group  comes  to 
the  rescue!!! 

WE  WILL  TEACH  YOU  HOW  TO  HAY  GOLF! ! ».  '.  I 
2.  We  want  about  four  of  your  most  advanced  students  of  the  game  to  come 
over  some  week  end  and  receive  the  first  lesson.  We  realize  just  how  you  will 

-300-  V-6079,  A.C. 


feel  in  the  presence.  of;, greatness.,  butMpyen  a cat  may  look  at  a king.  We 
hope  you  have  stout  hearts,  and.  you  will,  not ' flinch  from' -a  licking.  , After,  the 
carnage,  we  promise  .to  bind-up  your  wounds,  pour  oil  over  your- wounded  feel- 
ings and  send  you  home  vdth  smiling  countenance.  Be  'brave  and ‘come  ..on.- 

3.  Your -convenience  as  to  dates  will 'be  ours. " ' 

According  to  the  Hews  Letter  Correspondent  - "Gods  Own  Chosen  People, " the 
Third  Attack  Group  golfers,  made  their  challenge  to  the  Duncan  Field  divot  dig- 
gers good  and  actually  taught  them  how  to  play  golf: 

Under  the  subject  of  "A  gentle  invitation’, " Captain  Idzorek,  under  date  of 
September  19th,  addressed  the  following : communication  to  the  Golf  Representative 
of  Kelly  Field,  Texas: 

"1.  Comfortably  seated  on  the  heights  of  Golf  Olympus , and  twirling  our 
thumbs  because  all  fellow- -Gods  have  tumbled  before-  our- mighty  drivers., mashies , 
putters,  etc.,  we  turn  our -royal  gaze  downward  towards  mother'  earth  and  with 
the  assistance  of  powerful  microscope's  discover  a number  of  worms  dressed  like 
Golfers  at  Kelly  Field,  As  our  Jovian  gaze  fell  upon  them  they  scuttled  into 
their  holes  and  pulled  'the  holes  in  after  them.  Please  advise  me  - were  they 
Golf  Bugs?  . 

2.  If  the  answer  to  the  preceding  question  is  in  the  affirmative.,  kindly- 
dig  down  into  the  ground:  and  search.  You  will' know  them  by  their  ..bright . 
color  — yellow.  Turn  a deaf  ear  to  their  piteous  cries  for  mercy,  and  with  a - 
button  hook  pull  them  out  - count  them  - and  tell  me  how  many  and  when  you 
can  make  delivery  to  Fort  Crockett,  and  for  a Roman  Holiday  for  Ye  Gods  Own 
Chosen  People  - The  Third  At tad:  Group  Golfers." 

The  above  communication  Was  forwarded  by  .Major  Davenport  Johnson,  Command- 
Officer  of  Fort  Crockett,  by  indorsement  reading  as’  follows':"- 

"1.  If- T bah*  t-.  lick -the  .socks  off  the  Jefe  of  Kelly  Field  I will  eat  some 
'of  the  above'  mentioned  .worms, " - ...  ' ■ - ■ 

A week  later r Major  F.L., -Martin*  Commandant  of  the  Advanced  Flying  School, 
Kelly  Field,  Texas,  replied,  to-  the.  Fort  Crockett  Golf  Representative  -to  the 
following  effect: 

"1.  You  old'  turkey  -buzzards  a flying  so  high,  you  will  never  get  your 
lining  a flying  in  the  sky;  and  when  you  come  to  earth  again,  -which  .certainly 
you  must,  you  will  be  set  upon  by  doodle  bugs,'  and  grovel  in  the  dust.  Due 
to  your  Olympian  heights,  and  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  your  vision  was 
aided  by  powerful  microscopes.,  you.  were  deceived  as  to  the  insects  you  observ- 
ed, as  they  were  not  worms,  but  bugs.  As  you 'noted,  they  were  yellow  in 
color,  but  you  placed  the  wrong;  interpre tat ion  upon  the  color  scheme  as  it  is 
indicative  of  the  poisonous  quality  of  the  bug.,'  " One  stung  by'  these  doodle 
bugs  will  die  a lingering  death- of  a- ravishing  disease , all  the  more  horrible - 
because  of  the • fact  that  you  have,  tasted  of  the  sweeter  things  in  life  and. by 
contrast  your  suffering  will  be  intense „ 

2.  In  accordance  with  you,r  instructions  we  have  unearthed  six  of  these- 

doodle  bugs  ~ a sufficient  -number,  to  prove  the  veracity  cf  the  statements  made 
hereon,  ■ - 

3.  As  to  the  fellow  who  signed'  the  1st  ! Indorsement  on  your  letter,  I have 
only  this  to  say:  that  he :ts,  young,  and. looks  old;,  while  the  one.  signing  this 
letter  to  you  is  old,-  but.  young,  : 

4.  We  will  be  glad  to  prove,  to  you  that  every  word  we  have -'said,  is  true, 
on  Saturday,  October  4th, ,-  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  nineteen  thirty;  and.  as  to 
its  being  a ' roaming’  holiday  for  those 'who  have  ' seif- designated -. themselves- • as 
'Ye  Gods  Own  Chosen.  People,- !.  permit  us  to  be". the.  judge' -of  that  matter." 

Ho  advice  has'  as  yet  been  received  as  to  the. result  of ' the  set-to  between- 
the  golfers  of  Kelly  Field  and  Fort  .Crockett.  ’ 

oOo— 

AIR  CORPS  TO  HOLD  EOMBIHC-  PEACTICD  AT  FORT  SILL,  QKLA. 

The  rocky  hills  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  .Sill,  ibkiahOma,'  will  he  somewhat  re- 
duced in  size  by  the  .time  some,  of  the  expert  A,fmy  ,A'ir  Corns  bombers  conclude  • 
their  warming  up  -practice  of  hurling  some  of  their  most  modern  missiles  of  de- 
struction. 'Throe  giant  Curtiss  "Condor"  bombing'  planes  from  the  7th  Bombardment 
Group,  stationed  at  Rockwell  Field,  San  Diego,  . Calif .,'  loaded  with  an  assortment 
of  bombs  of  various  types  ranging.-: from  300  to  2,000 /pounds  in  weight,-  on  October 
20th  will  journey  to  Fort- .Sill,  hover  over  the  lulls  surrounding  this  famous  old 
Array  post,  and  proceed  to  lay  . t'helr  "eggs. if. 

The  purpose  of  this  mission  of  destruction  is  to  conduct  an-  actual  test,  of 

-301-  F-6079,  A.C. 


the  functioning  of  ’comb  fuses  and  to  ascertain  tha... effectiveness  of  various  types 
of  bombs  on  extremely  hard  surfaces.  Port  Sill  ".ms  chosen  as  the  site  for  this 
demonstration  in  view  of  the  rocky  hills  in  its  vicinity,  end  because  no  other 
suitable  area  has  been  found  available  in  the  vicinity  of  other  Army  Reservations 
in  the  United  States.  The  bombs  will  be  dropped  from  high  altitudes,  and  Port 
Sill  lends  itself  admirably  for  this  demonstration  because  of  the  safety  it  will 
afford  the  observing  personnel. 

0O0 

GENERAL  FOULOI S VISITS  ROCKWELL  FIELD 

Brig. -General  Benjamin  D.  Foulois,  Assistant  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  paid 
Rockwell  Field  a visit  on  the  first  of  October.  Shortly  following  his  arrival, 
he  inspected  the  personnel  and  observed  a twenty-minute  flying  demonstration 
in  formation  staged  by  the  11th  and  95th  Squadrons. 

The  General  gave  the  officers  of  Rockwell  Field  a short  talk,  complimenting 
them  on  their  work,  especially  the  progress  made  by  the  Group  in  radio  control. 

He  farther  expressed  his  views  on  the  interest  the  local  officers  have  taken  in 
Squash,  pointing  out  its  value  to  the  individual  ten  years  hence.  Mention  was 
also  made  of  an  Air  Corps  Squash  team  which  has  created  quite  a furor  on  the 
local  ranking  board. 

General  Foulois  left  by  air  for  the  East  on  October  3rd. 

0O0— ** 

RADIO  CONTROLLED  PROBLEM  CONDUCTED  AT  ROCKWELL  FIELD 

The  Seventh  Bombardment  Group,  Rockwell  Field,  Corona-do,  Calif.,  engaged  in 
the  first  radio  controlled  problem  of  the  season  on  Saturday,  October  4th.  Major 
Carl  Spatz  directed  the  Croup  from  the  new  Fokker  nlane  which  has  been  complete- 
ly equipped  with  receiving  and  transmitting  radio  apparatus. 

Caine r amen  from  the  Fox  Movietone  News  were  on  hand  to  witness  this  method 
of  controlling  aircraft  while  in  flight,  taking  pictures  which  will  prove  of 
interest  to  the  people  throughout  the  country. 

oOo 

NEW  ENGINEERING  SHOPS  BUILDING  AT  FAIRFIELD  AIR  DEPOT 

The  Engineering  Department  of  the  Fairfield  Air  Depot,  Fairfield,  Ohio,  is 
rapidly  completing  the  move  of  its  departments  into  the  new  Engineering  Shops 
Building.  It  is  expected  that  the  assembly  of  the  major  engineering  activities 
under  one  roof  will  increase  the  efficiency  and  operation  of  the  Engineering 
Department . 

Another  building  of  the  engineering  group  is  also  raw idly  approaching  com- 
pletion. When  this  is  finished,  it  will  provide  housing  for  the  air  compressor 
units,  battery  charging  department,  drafting  and  blueprinting,  and  permanent 
property  department  of  the  Station  Supply,  as  well  as  provide  certain  storage 
facilities  in  connection  with  the  Station  Supply  operation. 

The  efforts  of  the  Depot  personnel  are  now  being  aligned  in  connection  with 
the  recent  policy  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  relating  to  the  handling  of  main- 
tenance and  repair  of  airplanes  and  motors  throughout  this  Area.  It  is  expected 
that  within  a very  short  time  the  lapse  in  overhaul  incident  to  the  moving  of 
the  Engineering  Department  will  be  eliminated  and  the  Depot  will  again  be  in 
shape  to  meet  the  demands  of  the  Area  as  fast  as  they  develop. 

- — oOo' — 

NEW  AIRPLANES  FOR  BROOKS  FIELD 

The  Primary  Flying  School  at  Brooks  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  will  shortly 
receive  37  new  BT~2  (Basic  Training)  airplanes.  A tentative  list  of  pilots  who 
will  ferry  twelve  of  these  planes  follows:  Lieut s.  D.D.  FitzGerald,  E.H. Porter, 
H.M.  Turner,  J.C.  Dennis ton,  R.C.  MacDonald,  L.P.  Turner,  M.E.  Tillery,  E.H. 
Lawson,  J.L.  Daniel,  G.O.  Barcus,  T.H.  Baxter  and  L.H.  Douthit. 

The  BQ>-2  planes  will  replace  the  DH  airplanes,  and  their  advent  is  being 
welcomed  with  acclaim  since  it  is  believed  that,  by  virtue  of  better  construc- 
tion, the  use  of  the  new  planes  will  insure  greater  safety  in  flying.  The  DH 
planes  have  been  in  continuous  service  since  1918. 

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V-6079,  A.C. 


COLONEL  iaons  FLIES  FEW  TRANSPORT  ' 

Lieut. -Col.. . Frank-..  M, ■.Andrews- -recently  landed  at  Brooks  Field,.  Texas.,,  en- 
route  to  , Washington.,  ferrying  a Northrop  Alpha  Transport  plane  - a ..low  wing, 
6-passenger  monoplane  loaned, to  the  Air  Corps  b f the  Northrop' Corporation- in 
order  to  demonstrate  its  .efficiency.  It  is  learned  that  this  plane  has  a 
cruising' speed  of  from  135- to  . 140  miles  per  hour,  a relatively  lo\7  landing 
speed  and.,  considering  its  performance,  very  low  horsepower.  The  manufactur- 
ers claim  it  will  he  very  economical  to  operate  and  will  he  particularly  suit- 
able for  transportation  of  -personnel  and  supplies  over  long  distances. 

0O0- — 

AIR  CORPS  OFFICER  EXPERIENCES  A . MOST  UNUSUAL  ACCIDENT 

Lieut.  R.D.  (Dick)  Reeve.,,  of • Brooks.  Field,  .who  was  granted  a month*  s sick 
leave  recently,  v/as  the  victim  of  a most  unfortunate  and  unusual  accident. 

While  out  hunting,  he  had  the  misfortune  to  have  a large  mesquite  thorn  thrust 
directly  into  his  left  eyeball.  At  first  it  was  feared  he  would  lose  the  eye 
completely,  but  under  expert  treatment  at  the  Ba.se  Hospital,  Fort  Sam  Houston, 
not  only  was  the  shape  and  color  preserved,  but  the  sight  has  been  restored  to 
the  point  that,  with  the,  aid  of  glasses  with  a special  lense  for  the  injured 
eye,  it  is  hoped  he  may  soon  be  restored  to  pilot' *s.  status.  Lieut.  Reeve1  s 
ability  as  a pilot  and  flying  instructor  is  well  known. 

— ,~o0o 

...  GERMAN  WAR  ' VETERA}!  ATTENDS  PRIMARY  FLYING  SCHOOL 

An  interesting  member  of  the  new  class  now  matriculating  at  the  Primary 
Flying;  School  at  Brooks  Field  is.  Captain  Cerd.  Von  Moscow  of  the  German  Army. 
Captain  Mas  sew,  despite  his  youthful  appearance , is  a real  veteran  of  the  .World 
War,  having  been  wounded  and  twice  gassed  while  serving  in  the  German  infantry 
on  the  western  front.  He  is  already  a pilot,  having  received  his  initial  fly- 
ing training  at  the  age  of  eighteen  during  the  closing  months  of  the  war.  Due 
tow, the-,  provisions-  of  the-.  Versailles  Treaty,  the  German  Army  lias  no  aviation 
schools,  -and  officers,  who. j desire  training  in  aviation  must  be  trained  at 
civilian  schools. 

0O0 

v ;>  , AN  APPRECIATION  OF  LANCLEY  FIELD1  S SPORTSMANSHIP 

Ihe  Langley  Field .football  team  recently  indulged  in  a hotly 'contested 
game  with  the  eleven  from  Campbell . College,  Buie1 s Creek,  N, C . , and  won  by 
the  score  of.  7 to  O,. 

•Several  days  following;  this  game , the  President  of  the  above-named  college, 
l.!r.;  N.A.;  Cam-pbell,  addreSvS.ed.  the  following  letter  to  Lieut.  J.W.  Hammond,  Asst. 
Manager  of  the  Langley  Field  Football  Association: 

• ,l:My  son,  Dean  L.H.  Campbell , and  coach  Dodson  ^-reported  at  chapel  such  a 
delightful  trip  to  your  place' 'that  I am  impelled  to  thank  you  and  your  manage- 
ment for  your  courtesies  and  kindness  dhown  our  young  men.  They  reported  that 
they  had  .never  received  suclsr.-a  demonstration  of  kindness  as  was  shown  by  your 
entire  team  and  management. 

" Another  ■ thing  which  I greatly  appreciated  was  the  fine  conduct  of  your 
men  and  management 'on.  the  grounds , a thing  so  often  forgotten  on  the  athletic 
fields.  They  report  that  there  was  no  roughness  by  the  team  and  net  a word  of 
profanity  was'  heardv  / : 

The  •members  of  lour  team  are  also  loud  in  their  praises  of  the  delightful 
time  you  all  gave  them.  These  things  I have  said  on  behalf  of  myself  as  the 
head  of  the  institution.  Please  accept  from  me,  for  yourself  and  your  team 
and  helpers,  my  sincere  appreciation. 

.The  student  body  and  faculty,  by  a unanimous  rising  vote,  requested  me 
to  bear  also  a me she ge  of  thanks  to  you,  and  through  you  to  all  members  of 
your  team  and  management,  their  deep  appreciation  for  kindnesses  shown  our 
boys.” 

' ' ' G-ood.  .siportsmanship  qjays,  and  here  is  concrete  evidence  that  the  efforts 
of  the  Langley  Field  football  authorities  to  run  their  team  on  the  same  basis 
that  college  athletics  are  ordinarily  ran  lias  borne  fruit. 

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V-6079,  A.C. 


CHIEF  OF  STAFF  INSPECTS  MARCH  FIELD 


The  Chief  of  Staff  of  the  Army,  General  Charles  P.  Summe rail , with  his  aide, 
Captain  Forster,  visited  torch-  Field , Calif.,  recently.  Arriving  in  Riverside 
in  the  afternoon,  he  was  met  and  escorted  to  the  field  by  1st  Lieut.  Townsend 
: Griffis , A .C. , aide  during  his  visit.  The  General  and  his  -party  were  met  at 
the  gate  "by  the  Commandant , Major  J.T.  McNarney,  and  taken  to  Post  Headquarters. 

After  inspecting  Post  Headquarters  and  visiting  with  members  of  the  First 
Division,  which  he  commanded  during  the  World  War,  the  General  made  an  inspec- 
tion Of  all  activities  on  the  field.  The  officers  and  enlisted  men  assigned 
to  each  department  were  on  duty  for  this  inspection. 

At  5:00  p.m. , a reception  and  tea  was  held  in  the  Officers'  Club.  All 
officers  and  their  wives,  as  well  as  some  prominent  citizens  of  Riverside,  per- 
sonally met  the  General.  Following  the  reception,  he  and  his  aide  left  by 
motor  for  Los  Angeles , Calif.  General  Summe rail  expressed  great  satisfaction 
on  the  condition  of  the  post  and  its  activities  and  was  highly  pleased  with 
the  appearance  of  the  new  construction. 

— -oOo' 


COW  EVIDENCES  DISLIKE  FOR  AIRPLANE 

Airdromes  are  poor  pastures  was  the  probable  decision  of  a Waco  cow  after 
her  bovine  majesty  came  in  contact  with  a Kelly  Field  airplane  one  night  re- 
cently. After  she  had  wre.cked  the  lower  wing  of  the  ship,  she  took' off , in 
Air  Corps  parlance,  without  waiting  to  register  a complaint. 

1st  It.  Howard  K.  Ramey,  Senior  Instructor  in  Observation, Advanced  Flying 
School,  was  returning  from  Dallas  in  command  of  a flight  of  students  on  a 
night  cross-country  training  mission.  Motor  trouble  forced  one  student  pilot 
. to  land  at  Waco,  and  Lt . Ramey  nosed  his  own  ship  down  to  help  re-pair  the 
trouble.  In  the  darkness  he  did  not  see  a cow  that  had  invaded  the  airdrome. 

---oOo 


27th  PURSUIT  SQUADRON  GOES  INTO  CAMP 

After  a ten-day  workout  at  the  National  Air  Races  at  Chicago,  the  27th 
Pursuit • Squadron  returned  to  Selfridge  Field,  Mich.,  to  find  orders  for  an  im- 
mediate transfer  to  Oscoda,  Michigan. 

As  traditional  with  the  27th,  the  move  was  made  in  a very  short  time. 

Camp  was  established  and  the  machinery  set  in  motion  for  the  annual  gunnery  and 
bombing  practice.  This  year's  camp  proved  a very  successful  vacation  for  all 
concerned.  After  firing,  much  time  was  devoted  to  sports.  In  addition  to  the 
usual  athletics,  there  was  a great  deal  of  golfing,  boating,  fishing  and 
swimming,  the  nearby ‘lake  being  exceptionally  popular  this  year. 

During  the  evenings,  the  fair  sex  at  Oscoda  were  royally  entertained  by 
such  devotees  to  the  noble  art  of  dancing  as  Lieuts.  Olsen,  Brignall  and  Davis. 
HTever  before,  assures  the  News  Letter  Correspondent,  had  men  qualified  with 
such  exceptional  accomplishments,  favored  Oscoda  by  their  presence. 

The  golf  addicts,  Lieuts.  Ramey  and  LeMay,  were  probably  the  most  sensa- 
tional ever  seen  by  the  natives.  The  local  adherents  stood  dumbfounded  while 
they  watched  sensational  shots  by  the  squadron  champions. 

Lieut.  Boatner  distinguished  himself  by  growing  the  season's  longest  and 
wiriest  crop  of  whiskers. 

After  most  of  the.  firing  was  completed,  those  unfortunates  who  had  never 
ridden  in  an  open-cockpit  plane,  were  given  the  opportunity  and  the  works.  A 
PT  was  wound  up,  and  the  air  was.  greeted  by  many  new  observers. 

Many  deer  were  seen  by  the  men  while  flying  over  the  country,  and  many  of 
the  men  will  probably  return  to  Oscoda  for  a few  days  of  hunting  this  Fall. 

- — oOo— 


AN  ACKNOWLEDGMENT  BY  GEN.  PERSHING 


. 

General  John  J.  Pershing  recently  addressed  the  following  letter  to  the 
Chief  of  the  Air  Corps: 

"My  dear  General  Fechet: 

I appreciated  deeply  your  very  kind  birthday  message  in  behalf  of 
the  Air  Corps,  and  to  you  and  all  under  your  command  send  thanks, 
greetings  and  good  wishes." 


V~6079,A.C. 


-304- 


NOTES  FROM  AIR  CORPS , FIELDS 
March  Field,  Riverside,  Calif. . Sent.  50th.' 

The  present  upper  class  is  completing  the  course  of  instruction  at  the  Air 
Corps  Primary  Flying  School.  It  is  now  composed  of  two  officers  and  28  Flying 
Cadets.  Unless  something, unforeseen  happens,  it  is  expected  to  send  this  number 
to  the  Advanced  Flying  School  at  Kelly  Field. 

Brig.  General  Benjamin  D.  Foulois,  Assistant  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  made 
an  inspection  of  the  Air  Corps  Primary  Flying  School  during  the  week  of  Sept. 
29th.  The  General  made  the  trip  by  air  from  Washington. 

An  elaborate  social  season  has  been,  planned  by  the  March  Field  Officers’ 

Club.  It  includes  card  parties  and  dances,  one  each  month  during  the  winter 
season. 

Colonel  Art  Goebel,  Messrs.  Roscoe  Turner , Rufus  Pilcher  and  other  Well 
llnown  aviators  of  the  West  Coast  visited  March  Field  on  September  22nd.  After  a 
short  visit  with  friends  at  the  field,  they  were  taken  to  the  Riverside  County 
Fair  where  they  were  honor  guests. 

1st.  Lieut.  Y.A.  Pitts  was  appointed  coordinator  of  instruction  for  the 
Primary 'Flying  School.  His  duties  will  be  to  coordinate  and  supervise  instruc- 
tion and  .the  work  of  all  instructors. 

1st 1 Lieut s.  Horace  S.  Kenyon  and  Leo  F.  Post  were  assigned  as  Commanding 
Officers  of  13th  School  Group  Headquarters  and  54th  School  Squadron, respectively. 

Lieu  tv  Earle  H.  Tonkin  was  assigned  as  Commanding  Officer  of  the  newly 
organized  64th  Service  Squadron. 

The  present  lower  class  now  consists  of  three  officers  and  58  “Flying  Cadets 
undergoing  instruction.  They  will  complete  their  primary  training' about  Oct. 15. 

Second  Lieut.  John  E.  Bo die now  on  detached  service  as  Assistant  Football 
Coach  for  the  West  Coast  Army  Football  team,  was  ordered  to  Long  Beach,  Calif,, 
as  instructor  for  the  Organized  Reserves. 

Captain  Wm.  E.  Kenner,  having  reported  from  Wright- Field,  Dayton,  Ohio, 
was  assigned  as  a student  in  the  class  which  will  start  training  on  or  about 
October  15th. 

First  Lieuts.  H.B.  Chandler.  C.E.  O’Connor  and  2nd  Lieut.  Nome  35.  Frost 
attended  the  opening  ceremonies  of  the  .Boulder  Dam  at  las  Vegas,  Nevada,  on 
September  17th.  Major  Long,  of  Riverside,  Calif. , was  a passenger  in  one  of  the 
planes. 

First  Lieuts.  Charles  H.  Dowman,  John  V.  Hart,  R.B.  Williams  and  J.P. Bailey 
were  ordered  on  .temporary  duty  at  the  Instructors’  School  at  Duncan  Field,  Texas. 
First  Lieuts.  H.A.  Halverson,  •L.D,  Wellington  and  John  Glascock  were  ordered  on 
temporary  duty  at  the  Instructors’  School  to  act  as  instructors. 

After  enjoying  the  summer  schedule  of  one-half  day  -periods  since  July  1st, 
the  new  winter  schedule  which  requires  duty  until  3:30  was  put  into  effect  on 
September  2.9th.  ■ - 

' • • ■ V."  ' _ 

Third. Attack  Group.'  .'Fort-  Crockett  ,=:  Texas , September  15th. 

A twenty- seven -'plane  review  was.  held-  on  September  4th  in  honor  of  Master 
Sergeant.- Lloyd.  Thompson,  Ordnance  Department,  who  retired  on  . that  date  after  30 
■ years •: ip’  the,,, service.  Captain  Virgil  Hine , 90th  Attack  Squadron,  led  .the  forma- 
tion. 

On  Saturday,  Sept.  13th,  Mr.- and  Mrs.  Thomas  Ragsdale  Hancock  announced  the 
approaching  marriage  of  their  daughter,  Lucille  Winnifred,  to  Lieut.  Robert 
Kinder  Taylor,  Third  Attack  Group,  Air  Corps,  son  of  Mr.  George ; Norman  Taylor  and 
■the  late  Mrs.  Taylor,  of ; Chicago,  111.  The  wedding  will  take  place  in  Galveston 
at  the  home  of  the  bride’s  parents  on  the  evening  of  October  29th. 

The  Fort  Crockett 'football  team,  under  the  coaching  of  Lieut.  Alfred 
Linde burg,  is  rapidly  rounding  into  shape  for  their  first  game  which  is  scheduled 
for- Sept.  28th  with  the  strong  aggregation  from' St.-  Mary’ s University  at  LaPorte, 
Texas.  The  Flyers  won  the  game  last . year  by  a score;  of  12-0. 

Third  Attack  Group,  Fort  Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas . October  1st. 

Six  planes ; of  the  Group , piloted  by  Captain  Virgil  Hine",  Lieuts.  A. J. Lanier, 
L.C.  Westiey,  T.W.  Imlay,  F.E.  Calhoun  and  F. 0.  Talley,  flew  to  Fort  Fuatehuca, 
Ariz. , on  September  19th,  to  take  part  in  Infantry  and  Cavalry  maneuvers.  Major 

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Davenport  Johnson,  Commanding  Officer  of  Fort  Crockett,  Texas,  departed  a few 
days  later  to  observe  the  maneuvers.  The  planes  returned  home  on  Sept.  26th. 

The  Fort  Crockett  football  team,  8th  Corps  Area  champs  for  1929,  opened  j 
the  season  with  a bang  on. Sept,  28th  when' they  defeated  the  strong  eleven  from 
St.  Marys  University  at  LaPorte,  Texas,  by  a score  of  19  to  5.  Handicapped  by 
the  loss  of  their  captain,  Kerrnit  Perkins,  star  quarter,  the  team  nevertheless 
made  a splendid  showing  against  an  bleven  famed  for  its  aerial  attack.  Although  j 
not  as  heavy  as  last  year,  the  Crockett  line  showed  plenty  of  power.  The  back- 
field  needs  more  training  in  the  aerial  department,  as  their  passing  defense  and 
offense  is  weak. 

The  Fort  Crockett  eleven,  known  as  the  Golden  Tide , is  scheduled  to  meet 
the  Brooks  Field  Flyers  at  Brooks  Field  on  Gbfcifcer  11th.  Fort  Crockett  won 
the  game  last  year  by  the  score  of  13  to  6. 

Air  Corps  Troops,  Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma,  October  6th. 

Five  officers  from  this  field  were  recently  transferred  to  the  Air  Cbrps 
Technical  School,  Chanute  Field,  Raiitoul,  111.  , for  courses  of  instruction  as 
indicated:  2nd  Lieut s.  Kenneth  P.  McHaughton  and  George  G.  Horthrup , Photograph 
course;  2nd  Lieut.  James  L.  Jackson,  Maintenance  Engineering  course;  2nd  Lieut. 
Lilburn  D.  Fat  or,  Armament  course,  and  2nd  Lieut.  George  V.  Holloman,  Communica- 
tions course. 

One  comparatively  still  forenoon  this  month,  a free  balloon  rose  and  sailed 
away  for  15  miles.  The  time:  one  hour  and  15  minutes.  It  carried  2nd  Lieut s. 
Gerald  G.  Johnson,  John  A.  Tarro,  Louis  S.  Wait  and  Staff  Sergeant  Douglas  M. 
Tucker. 

Three  new  0-19B  Observation  planes  were  ferried  to  this  station  from  Buffalo, 
Hew  York,  by  Major  L.H.  Brereton,  1st  Lieut.  C.E.  Shankle  and  2nd  Lieut.  C.K. 
Moore. 

The  resignation  from  the  Army  of  2nd  Lieut.  Hudson  Chadwick,  Jr.,  has  been  . 
accented. 

Captain  Raymond  E.  O'Heill,  recently  transferred  to  this  station  from 
Luke  Field,  Hawaii,  was  detailed  upon  his  arrival  from  Luke  Field  as  Adjutant, 

Air  Corps  Troops. 

Second  Lieut.  Charles  K.  Moore  was  ordered  to  Duncan  Field,  San  Antonio, 

Texas,  on  detached  service  for  a period  of  ten  days  in  connection  with  Air  Corps 
Supply  work. 

Second  Lieut.  James  H.  ®-oe  is  spending  a twenty-five  day  leave  of  absence 
at  his  home  in  Spokane,  Washington. 

Luke  Field.  T.H.,  September  10th. 

Training  for  the  month  of  August  consisted  of  practice  flights  of  pilots 
to  maintain  their  proficiency,  and  flights  for  training  of  aircraft  crews,  in- 
cluding armament,  administration,  airplane  mechanics  and  other  duties  of  enlist- 
ed men.  All  concommissioned  officers  received  instruction  in  physical  training, 
and-  troops  received  instruction  in  close  order  drill. 

Members  of  Luke  Field  were  rewarded  on  the  morning  of  the  ?th,  after  a long, 
wait,  when  the  first  of  the  new  Keystone  LB-6  Bombers  took  the  air  for  a test 
flight.  Lieut.  W.B.  Clarke  was  at  the  controls.  To  .date  the  23rd  Bombardment. 
Squadron  and  the  72nd  Bombardment  Squadron  each  have  .two  LB- 6 Bombers  available 
for  daily  flying. 

A DeHaviland  Observation  plane,  piloted  by  2nd  Lieut.  Joseph  B.  Stanley, Jr.., 
with  Staff  Sgt.  Robert  A.  Bremer  as  mechanic,  was  demolished  in  a forced  landing 
in  a pineapple  field  near  Wahiawa  at  8:30  a.m.  on  the  20th . The  accident  was 
caused  by  motor  failure  and  the  plane  turned  over  when  it  struck  and  was  a com- 
plete loss,  ^either  of  the  occupants  was  injured.. 

The  Luke  Field  Orchestra,  composed  of  Corporal  Hodges  and  Private  Ledwith, 
23rd  Squadron;  Privates  Lumsden  and  Dieckman,  4th  Souadron;  Private  Regan,  72nd 
Squadron,  and  Privates  Brill  and  Cassidy,  65th  Squadron,  went  on  detached  ser- 
vice at  the  Kiluea  Military  Camp,  and  returned  on  the  14th.  While  there,  five 
concerts  were  given  for  the  benefit  of  -personnel  attending  the  camp. 

First  Lieut.  Thomas  M.  Lowe  spent  3.4  days'  detached  service  at  the  Kiluea 
Military  Camp,  from  August  4th  to  isth. 

Captain  Raymond  E.  O'Heill  and  1st  Lieut.  Reginald  R.  Gillespie  departed 
for  the  mainland  on  the  August  20th  Transport.  The  former  was  granted  a month's 

-306-  Y-6079 , A.C. 


leave  of  absence  enroute  to  his  new  station.  Post  Field,  Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma. 
Lieut.  Gillespie.  will . report  .to  the  • Primary  Flying  School  at  blanch  Field  for 
heavier- than-.air  training. 

Six  "Wright  "Cyclone"  airplane  engines  were  received  at  this  station  cn 
August  7th  to  be  installed,  in  the  LB-6  Bombing  planes  now  assigned  to  the  23rd 
and  72nd  Bombardment  Squadrons. 

According  to  information  received  by  the  Air  Office  at  Fort  Shaft er,  23 
new  planes  were  scheduled  to  arrive  on  September  19th  on  the  Transport  ■ KENOWIS. 
•Though  the  message  failed  to  describe  the  planes  accurately,  it  was  believed 
the  shipment  contained  Attack  planes  for  , Wheeler  Field  and.  Observation  planes 
for  Luke  Field,  Luke  Field  expects  a number  of  0-19  Observation  planes.  This 
shipment  of  0-19 8 s is  to  be  assigned  to  the  50  th  Observation  on  its  reorganiza- 
tion in  the  near  future. 

Sergeant  Willis  K.  Wichard,  65th  Service  Squadron,  on  detached  service  at 
Fort  Shafter  with  department  Headquarters,  was  transferred  to  D.E.M.L.  at  that 
station  and  appointed  a fester  Sergeant.  He.  is  serving  in  his  first  enlistment 
in  the  Army. 

Tech.  Sergeant  Gabriel  Klemp,  attached  to  the  65th  Service  Squadron,  was 
placed  on  the  retired  list  of  the  Army  on  July  31st.  In  honor  of  his  retirement 
the  entire  personnel  of  Luke  Field  passed  in  review  before  him.  With  all  troops 
assembled  on  the  flying  field,  Lieut.  John  A.  Laird,  Jr.,  Adjutant,  read  a brief 
resume  of  Sgt.  Klemp's  service  and,  sneaking  for  the  Commanding  Officer,  express- 
ed the  appreciation  of  the  military  service  for  his  undivided  loyalty  and  service 
and  extended  to  him  best  wishes  for  success,  and  ha- roiness  in  the  future.  Follow- 
ing the  ceremony,  the  65th  Service  Squadron,  of  which  Sgt.  Id. emp  was  a member  for 
the  past  seven  years.,  was- marched,  to.  the  squadron  area,  and  short  farewell 
speeches  were  given  py  Major  Kirby,  Commanding  Officer  of  Luke  Field;  1st'- Lieut. 
Carl  1.  Pyle,  Commanding  Officer  of  the  65th  Squadron,  and  by  Sgt.  Klemp. 

k Members' of  the  Squadron  presented  a few  gifts  to  Sgt.  Klemp  to.  keep- as  me- 
mentos of  his-  - service-.-  with  them.  • His.  duties  at  Luke  Field,  during  the 'past  few 
years  have  been  in  the  Parachute  Department  and  in  charge  thereof,  and  his  re- ; 

• sponsibilities  have  been,  great.  In  .addition  to  his  required  duties,  "Toney,"  as 
he  is  affectionately  known,  has  been  deeply  interested  in  the  Luke  Field  Baseball 
teams.  As  player  and  as  co^ph-manager, . he  rendered  invaluable  service,  to  the1’ 

Luke  Field  Fliers8  team  of  the  Sector-lTavy'  League.  Through  his  playing  and 
coaching,  the  65th  Squadron  copped  the  Post  Championship  for  the  season  of  1930, 
without  losing  a single-  game. 

Although  Sgt'.  Klemp5  s retirement  is  a loss  to  the  Army,  he  has  decided  to 

remain  here  in  the  Islands  and  accepted  a civil  service  appointment  ill  charge 

of  the  Parachute  Department  at  Luke  Field. 

On  August  28th,  the  following  promotions  in  the  noncommissioned  grades  were 
made  for  the  new  units  by  transfer;  To  Staff  Sergeant  - Sgts.  Lee  V.  Axford, 

65th  Squadron,  Clarence  G-.  Culver  and  Landon  A.  Harwich,  4-th  Squadron;  John  A. 

Benehan , 65th  Squadron;  To  Sergeant  - Corposals  Charles  W.  Davis,  New  Unit;- 

Alexander  Dulevitz,  4-th  Squadron;  James  Hartnett,  Clarence  N.  Reily  and  William 
H.  Terry,  23rd  Squadron;  To  Corporal  - Privates,  1st  Class,  Edward  J.  Robertson, 
•72nd  Sruadron;  William  Padgett,  New  Units;  Benjamin  J,  Fredericks  and  Courtnet 
Roberts,  23rd  Squadron;  privates  James  1.  Crawford,  William  J.  McMichael  and 
-Edward  7.  Noss,  New  Units;  Joseph  E.  Wasnick,  5th  Group  Headquarters. 

Vacancies  were  created  by  transfer  of  noncommissioned  officers  to  the  new 
units,  with  the  result  that  the  following  promotions  were  made  in  the  organiza- 
tions indicated:  To  Staff  Sergeant;  Sergeants  Morris  A„  Aubree,  72nd  Sqdm. ; Ted 
McLeamon,  23rd  Sqdn. , and  Nicholas  The  monos,  4th  Squadron.  Private,  1st  Class, 
James  A.  Callender,  5th  Group  Hqrs. , was  promoted  to  Corooral  on  the  29th. 

The  Luke  Field  baseball  team- departed  for  Hilo  for  detached  service  at  the 
Military  Camp  on  the  1st  and  returned  on  the  2Cth„  Playing  the  "Combined"  team 
of  Hilo,  the  Fliers  were  defeated  3 to  2 in  the  first  exhibition  game  which  was 
played  on  a water-soaked  field.  Errors  figured  in  all  the  .scoring.  In  the 
second  exhibition  game  playedtihere,  the ^ "All . Hawaiian s"  team  defeated  the  Fliers 
2 to  0.  Play  was  slow  at  times  and,  mixed  with  some  spectacular  playing  byboth 
teams,  che  game  was  well  worth : watching*  ....... 

Inter- squadron  competition  for  the  Kuiitz- Moses  Athletic  Memorial"  Trophy  com- 
menced on  the  18th,  when  the- volley.. ball,- schedule  opened  with  two  lively  games. 
Teams  representing  Staff,  4th  Squadron,  23rd,  65th  and  72nd  Squadrons  and  the 
Recruit  Training  Center" are  entered?-  play  has  been  exceptionally  good,  if  not 
better  than  last  year,  as  several  .of  last  year's  veterans  of  "each  team  formed  a 

\ .-307-  7-6079,  A.C. 


nucleus  for  good  team  play.  Two  games  are  played  between  -each  team,  and  the 
first  half  having  been  completed  on  the  29th,  the  standing  of  the  league  is  as 
follows;  72nd  Sqd,  leads  with  seven  victories,  no  defeats;  Staff  and  65th  Sodn. 
each  won  five  and  lost  two;  4th  won  two  and  lost  four;  R.T.C.  won  one  and  lost 
six,  and  the  72nd  lose  all  seven  games  played, 

A Sector  Volley  Ball  league  was  formed  with  teams  representing  Fort  DeRussy, 
Ports  Armstrong,  Huger,  Shafter,  Kamehameha  and  Luke  Field  entered.  Candidates 
fornthe  Luke  Field  Volleyball  team  were  selected  and  scrimmages  are  held  Wednesday 
and  Saturday  afternoons  on  the  post  volley  ball  courts, 

Nichols  Field,  Rizal.  R.I.,  September  3rd, 

66th  Service  Squadron;  Captain  William  0.  Butler  was  relieved  from  command 
of  the  66th  Service  Squadron  and  has  taken  over  duties  of  Executive  Officer  and 
Post  Adjutant.  Captain  V.L.  Burge  assumed  command  of  the  Squadron. 

First  Lieut.  Charles  Douglas  \?as  transferred  to  the  2nd  Observation  Squad- 
ron. 

Money  was  appropriated  for  a new  set  of  barracks  for  the  66th  and  work  will 
start  in  the  near  future. 

28th  Bombardment  Sqiadron;  Among  those  who  left  Manila  during  the  hot 
season  for  Eaguio  were  Lieuts.  Grisham  and  Salsman,  Staff  Sgt.  King,  ' Sgt . Byt tmer 
and  Privates  Baker  and  Kufnagel. 

The  28th  received  its  allowance  of  the  new  type  steel  wall  lockers,  and  they 
are  a big  improvement  over  the  old  ones. 

2nd  Observation  Squadron;  During  August , members  of  the  organization  parti- 
cipated in  a number  of  cross-country  flights  to  Del  Carmen,  San  Miguel , Lingayen 
Gulf,  Oarranglan  and  Calamba. 

The-  rainy  season  let  up  during  the  month,  and  flying  was  possible  every 
day.  Aircraft  time  increased  to  180  hours,  with  a daily  average  of  four  ships 
in  commission. 

On  August  1st,  the  command  of  the  Squadron  was  relinquished  by  Captain  B.F. 
Giles  to  Captain  A.E.  Easterbrook.  Captain  Giles  proved  a very  efficient  and 
popular  Squadron  Commander,  and  the  Squadron  was  sorry  to  see  him  leave.  How- 
ever, in  having  Captain  Easterbrook  take  command,  they  are  sure  of  the  continua- 
tion of  old  policies  and  traditions. 

Several  other  officers  are  making  preparations  to  leave  on  the  October 
transport.  Lieut.  Hayward  received  orders  to  go  to  Chanute  Field. 

Kelly  Field,  San  Antonio,  Tegfcas,  September  18th. 

Lieut.  F D.  Lynch  was  transferred  to  Dodd  Field  where  he  will  succeed  Lt. 

A.W.  Marriner. 

An  informal  dance  was  given  at  the  Aviation  Club  by  the  Flying  Cadets  of 
Kelly  Field  on  the  night  of  September  12th  for  the  officers  and  ladies  of  Kelly 
Field  and  Brooks  Field. 

Lieut.  Edgar  E.  Glenn  recently  arrived  at  Kelly  Field  from  Muskogee,  Okla. , 
and  was  assigned  to  the  42nd  School  Squadron  for  duty. 

The  following- named  enlisted  men  of  Kelly  Field  are  attending  the  prepara- 
tory school  at  Fort  Sam  Houston  for  candidates  for  the  U.S.  Military  Academy; 
Privates  George  I.  Rhoades,  Jack  f „ Hickman,  Charles  F.  Smith  and  Richard  I. 
Newcomb. 

Lieut.  Stanton  T.  Smith  received  orders  to  report  to  Fort  Benjamin  Harrison, 
Indiana,  for  duty. 

Major  C.L.  Beaven,  Flight  Surgeon,  received  orders  for  duty  in  the  Office 
of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  effective  December  1st. 

Major  C.L.  Beaven  and  Major  C.L.  Tinker  left  Kelly  Field  on  the  morning 
of  September  18th  for  a 10- day  hunting  trip  in  Mexico,  conducting  their  hunting 
on  a ranch  about  75  miles  from  Del  Rio. 

12th  Qbs.  Group,  Marshall  Field,  Fort  Riley.  Kansas,  Oct.  2nd. 

Major  Junius  W.' Jones,  Office  Chief  of  the  Air  Corns,  made  an  inspection  of 
the  records  of  this  Squadron  recently. 

Lieuts.  Gilger,  Wright  and  Sherwood  flew  three  ships  to  Emporia,  Kansas,  for 
the  American  Legion  Celebration  on  September  1st. 

Major  Pratt,  of  Fort  Leavenworth,  at  one  time  Flight  Surgeon  of -this  Squad- 

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ron,  visited  this  field,  accompanied  by  Major  Miller  of  Fort  Leavenworth. 

Lieut.  Dyke  F.  Meyer,  pilot,  with  Captain  Burton  C.  Andrus,  Cavalry,  pass- 
enger, left  this  station  September  ,26th  on  an  extended  cross-country  flight  to 
Buffalo,  H,Y.',  and  return,  via  Scott  Field,  111.,  and  Wright . Field,  Ohio. 

Captain  Ross  F.  Cole,  of  this  Sqoddron,  won  the  consolation  of  the  "Bit 
Flight"  in  the  golf  tournament  held  .at  Fort  Riley  last  month;  We  dare,  say  that 
is  responsible  for  his  anoarent  reluctance  to  indulge  with  we  embryonic  golfers. 
Speaking  of  golf , the  other  day  Lieut..  W.H.  (Pop).  Sherwood  drove  a ball  250 
yards  - yes,  really,  but  that  is  not  the  main  point  of  the  story.  It.  happened 
that  a golf  bag  belonging  to.  another  golfer  ahead  of  him  was  in  the  path  of 
Pop1 s ball  (in  the  Fairway,  remarkable  as  it -may  seem)  and  said  ball  rolled 
right,  into  said  bag.-  Those  who  know  Pop  can  appreciate  his  embarrassment.  He 
refuses  to  state  whether  or  not  he  is  of  Scotch  .instinct  - -pardon  the:  error,  I 
mean  ancestry  - but,  anyway,  he  failed  to  be  aroused  over  the  incident  until  he 
had  retrieved  his  ball.  We  are  glad  you  didn’t  lose  it,  Pop  - we  enjoy  play- 
ing with  you. 

Scott  Field,  Belleville ,111. „ ■ Sent ember  27th. 

A flight  of  nine  0-19..’ s,  commanded  by  Lieut  .r-Col.  John  A.  Paegelow,  went 
to  Cincinnati  Sept*  26th,.  to  participate  in  vfche  dedication  of  an  airport. 

Lieut,  and- Mbs.'  Courtland  M.  Brown  will  ..depart,  to  Chanute  Field,  111.,  for 
station,  where  Lieut.  Brown  will  take  the  photographic  course. 

■ Col..  and  Mrs.  Jacob  W.S..  Wuest,  of  Clianute  Field,  were  guests  at  Scott 
Field  on 'September  '21st. 

Major  M.F.  Davis,  of  the,  Office  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  stayed  overnight 
Sept.  26th  at  Scott  Field  awhile  enroute  to  San- Francisco,  Calif. 

115  th.  Qbs.  Squadron,  Calif  .National  Guard,  Los  Angeles.  Sent.  22nd. 

Major  Jeffers,  Coritfiianding,  . announced  the- .following' .Squadron  Awards  for  ef- 
ficiency amohg  the  enlisted  personnel  at  the  1930  Camp:;  Best  Recruit , Pvt. Philip 
Kraft;  Best  Private,  Pvt,-  S ,-B.  Hoxie;  Best  Corporal,  Corporal  V.Ji  Warne;  Best 
Sergeant,  Sgts.  Jackson,  and. Aush.  These : selected  men,  whose  work  was  outstand- 
ing, will. have-  their  -names--  engraved  on  the  perpetual  trophy,  a large  and  beauti- 
ful silver'  loving  cup,,  which,, is  one  of  the  Squadron’s  prized  possessions. 

The  115th  welcomes  its  newest  officer,  Lieut.  Richard  Hoffmah  from  last 
year’s  Kelly  Field  class.  ' - 

Congratulations  are  extended  1st  Lt*  John  Hoe  on  his  recent  promotion. 

Lieut.'  Leonard  E.  Thomas -was  welcomed,  back  to  duty  on  Sept.  21st,  after 
four  months  travel  abroad.  He  reports  an  interesting;  trip  around  the  globe  by 
ship,  train  and  plane,  and  that  ail  is  quiet -on  the  western  front;  that  France’s 
grape  juice,  industry  is.  booming,,  .and  that- -’the-  two-liter  'inug  'is  'still  the  impor- 
tant object  in  Germany.  :. 

Lieuts.  Miller  and  gewail,  following 't heir,  active  duty  with  this  Squadron, 
put  in  several  days- -.more.; with.  the.  251st-  Coast  Artillery,  Calif.  Rational  Guard, 
at  Fort  McArthur,  SanRedro,  recently.  • Flying * spotting  and  tow- target  missions 
for  this  recently  converted,  anti-aircraft  unit,  they  were  able  to  take  part  in 
some  very  interesting  work.  - 

Lieuts.  Carroll,  Robinson  and  Wallen-,  of  this,  Squadron,  left  on  Sept.. 23rd 
in  two  K’s  and  one  B.T.'for  Boston. to  attend  the.  Rational  Guard  Convention  held 
there.  Passengers  were  General  Kitteistaedt,  Adjutant  General  of  the  State; 

Col.  Otto  Sandman,  C.O.  of  the  143rd  Field  Artillery,  and  Captain  G.M.  Stout  of 
the  State  Staff.  Some  7,000  miles  will  be  covered  in  a period  of  three  weeks. 

Self ridge  Field,  Mt . Clemens,  Mich.,  October  1st. 

57th  Service  Squadron:  A'  dinner  in -honor  of  the  Squadron  baseball  team, 
Post  Champions -for  the  past  season,  was  held  in. the "57th  Mess  on  the  night  of 
Supt.  24th.  Individual  medals  .were  -awarded  to  the  .players,  and  the  Squadron 
received  a handsome  cup  from  the  Rawlins  "Manufacturing  Co.  The  following  play- 
ers received  the  individual  awards:  1st  'Sgt.  Frank  C.  Comerio,  Staff  Sgts.  Ira 
C.  Lee,  Vincent  A.  Freedlund,  Sgt,  Jenness  C.  McMillin, . Corporals  Harold  L.' 
Clancy,  John  W.  Delaney,  Arnoldo  Filibertiv  Pyts.  1st  Cl.  Joseph  Early,  Elmer 
C.  Everett,  Donald  Gagnier,.  Rrank  M;- Lyons.-,  .Harold  j.  Perry,  Carl  E.  Soderstram, 
Privates  Harold  A.  Bindon,  Raymond  F.  Hatcher,.  Glenn  "j.  Tatham , Joseph  W. Wells. 

In  addition  to  the  team,  the  following, officers  were  guests;  Major  George 

-30 9-*  V-6079 , A.  C. 


H.  Brett,  Major  Gerald-'  E . Grower,  Major  ' Orlando'  J*  Posey,  Capt..  Victor  H.StrahmJ 
1st  Lieuts,  George.  Wald,  Harry  A.  Johnson,  Walter  E.  Richards,  Jose-oh  T. Morris,*  \ 
Aubrey  B*  ■Ballard,  R.E.  Culbertson,'  Marion  L,  Elliott,  2nd  Lieuts.  John  W. 

Kirby,  Arthur  W.  Meehan,  Stuart' P.  Wright , Clarence  F. . Hegy, . Capt . Rot-r  G.Hoyt 
and  Chaplain  Pierre  H.  Levesque. 

Practice,  of  the  post  f90tba.il  team  started  Sept.  16th.  This  is  the  first 
: season  Self ridge  Field  has  attempted  to  put  a Post  team  in  the  field,  so  little 
is  known  of  the  prospects.  Hitherto  all  football  activity  has  been 'in  the 
squadrons.  The  team  is  being  coached  by  Lieuts.  Harbold  and  Meehan. 

Lieut.  Paul  M.  Jacobs-,  of  this  Squadron,  made  an  extended  .cross-country 
to  Salt  Lake  City  and  return,  September  8th  to.  13th,  his  route  being  Chicago, 
Sioux  City,  Eismark,  Miles  City,  Great  Falls,  Salt  Lake  City,  Cheyenne,  Sioux 
City,  Chicago,  Self ridge  Field. 

17th  Pursuit  Squadron:  Returning  from  the  gunnery  camp  at-  Camp  Skeel , 
Oscoda,  Mich.,  the  last  week  in  August,  the  Squadron  resumed  its  activities  at 
Self ridge  Field.  All  members  of  the  17th  qualified  as  expert  aerial  gunners, 

Both  P-12*s  and  P-l*s  were  used  in  the  shooting. 

Captain  Ross  G.  Hoyt  assumed  command  of  the  17th  Souadron  Sept.  4th,  re- 
lieving Lieut.  Robert  D.  Moor,  who  remains  with  the  Squadron  as  second  in  com- 
mand. ■ Captain  Hoyt  reported  from  .the  Air  Corps  Tactical  School,  ^angley  Field. 

Six  new  P~12C’s  were  received  from  the  factory  Sept.  7th,  being  ferried 
through  from  Seattle  by  members  of  this  command. 

2nd  Lieut.  Orrin  L.  Grover , Engineering  Officer,  departed  for  the  Air 
Corps  Training  Center,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Sept.  1st.  Other  officers  leaving 
the  Squadron  are  Lieuts.  Koons,  Putt. and  French,  on  Sept.  30th,  for  the  Air 
Corps  Technical  School/  Chanute  iield. 

On  Sept.. .21st,  the  17th  Squadron  furnished  a flight  of  six  airplanes  to 
take  part  in  the  local  celebration  of  Von  Steuben  Day.  This  flight  appeared 
over  Belle  Isle  off  ...the  . ’Oity  of  Detroit  at  S jOO  p.m. , and  honored  the  ground 
ceremony  by  flying  formation  for  a few  minutes  over  the  Island. 

Everyone  who  knows  Lieut.  Carl  Feldman  will  be  glad  to  know  that  he  has 
been  released  from  Walter  Reed  Hospital  and  returned  to  duty  with  the  94th 
Squadron  on  September  16th.  Ca.fi  has  recuperated  from  his  crack-up  in  Chicago 
and  claims  he  is  very  little  the  worse  for  w;ear  except  that  he  very  nearly 
choked  to  death  the  other  day  when  some  taffy  .candy  he  was  eating  pulled  his 
new  "store  teeth"  out'; 

:94th  Pursuit  Squadron;  Atlanta  has  its  Bobby  Jones,  and  the  94th  Squadron 
has  its  miniature  golf  champions.  . These  champions  won  their  honors  on  the  94th 
Individual.  Golf  course,  the  first  course  to  be  constructed,  owned  and  operated 
by  an  individual  squadron. 

In  order  to  make  the  competition  as'  keen  as  -possible,  three  valuable  -prizes 
were  selected  for  the  winners,  and  it  goes  without-  saying  that  the  above  mention 
ed  "Bobby  Jones"  never  did  shoot  a more  closely  contested  match. 

The  champions,  Pvts  . 1st  Cl.  Fleming  and  Hargraves,  who  Won  first  and  secon 
places,-  respectively,  received  a gold  wrist  watch  each,  and  for  his  skill  in 
winning  third  place  Pvt.  Getz  was  awarded  a fountain  pen. 

Lieut>  N.B.  Harbold,  who  has  been  oh  duty  at  Kelly  Field, . Texas,  reported 
for  duty  at  Self ridge  Field  a' few  weeks  ago  and  was  assigned  to  the  94th.  The 
entire  Squadron  welcomes  "Skippy" .and  wishes  him  an  enjoyable  tour  of  duty  at 
Self ridge. • ’ 


Bolling: Field.  D.C. , October  7th. 


The  French  flyers,  Coste  and  Bellohte,  arrived  here  on  Sept.  7th,  and  after 
a warm  welcome  and  stay  in  Washington,  left  on  the  morning  of  the  9th  for  the 
Curtiss  Airport,  New  York,  from -which -place  they  started  on  their  tour  of  the 
United  States,  Lieut.  R.A.  Hicks,  of  Bolling  Field,  acting  as  escort  for  them. 

Major  Bernard  Cane  and  1st  Lieut.  Marshall  C.  Hoppin,  brother  of  Lieut. 
Bushrod  Hoppin,  Regular  Army,  reported  here  recently  for  two  weeks*  reserve 
training, 

Lieut.  C.W. : Cousland  flew  the  Secretary  of. War  on  an  inspection  trip  of  the 
Mississippi  Flood  Regions  recently.  'There  were  ten  in  his  party,  and  they  took 
off  in  two  tri-mo tored  Ford  planes. . Lieut.  Beery,  of  Wright  Field,  flew  the 
other  Ford  plane.  -: 

Lieut.  Giovanolli  was  much  in  evidence  during  the  Carnival  at  Washington 
Barracks,  as  he  was  flying  a Pursuit  plane  bursting  balloons. 

* -310- 


V-6079,  A.C. 


The  Bolling  Field  -pilots  were  kept  very  Busy  the  past  month,  flying  prac- 
tically all  over  the  country,  as  usual. 

Captain  Faker  left  October  2nd  by  train  for.  the  .West  Coast  to  ferry  back 
one  of  the  new  BT-2A  plane's  just  completed  at  the  Douglas  Factory  at  Santa 
Monica,  Calif. 

Lieut.  D.W.  Goodrich,  piloting  the  Fairchild  photographic  ship,  left  Oct. 

7th  on  quite  an  extensive  photographic  mission  in  the  vicinity  of  Detroit,  and 
bordering  the  Great  Lakes. 

Staff  Sgt.  Malone,  after  having  served  thirty  years  faithfully  and  credit- 
ably with  the  United  States  Army,  retired  on  September  30th,  the  Bolling  Field 
Detachment  turning  out  in  his  honor. 

Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif.,  October  6th, 

Retiring  from  the  Army  on  Sept.  2nd,  after  ,30  years  of  faithful  service, 

Staff  Sergeant  John’ ’ Garrick,  11th  Bombardment  Squadron,  watched  the  11th  and 
95th  Squadrons  pass  by  in  an  aerial,  review  flown  in  his  honor.  At  the-  end  of 
the  review,  Sgt.  Garrick  was  presented  by  his  Squadron  mates  with  a gold  watch 
as  a token  of  their  esteem  and  good  wishes. 

The  11th  and  95th  Squadrons  held  a joint  picnic  at.Rosarita  Beach  on  Sept. 
5th  as  a farewell  to  those  officers  who  were  leaving  for  Chanute  Field.  A 
"large  afternoon"  was  had  by  all,  and  the  venture  was  pronounced  a huge  success. 

Major  Barton  K.  Yount  assumed  command  of  Rockwell  Field  the  first-  part  of 
the  month,  after  having  completed  his  course  at  the  A. C.  Tactical  School-.  Major 
and  Mrs.  Yount  are  now  at  home  in  the  same  set  of  quarters  they  occupied  on  a 
previous  tour  of  duty  at  Rockwell  Field.  This  command  is.  very  hap-py  id  have 
Major  and  Mrs.  Yount  with  us,  and  we  are  looking  forward'  to  a new  era -of  good 
times  for  the  Rockwell  "family." 

1st  Lieut.  "Ralph  Suavely,  who-  reported  here  for  duty,,  was  assigned  to  the 
11th  Bombardment  Squadron,  For  some  time  past  he  served  as  an  Instructor  in 
the  Bombardment  Section  at  Kelly  Field.  The  personnel  of  the  11th  are  expect- k 
ing  Lt. ‘ Snaveiy  to  engrave  his  name  further  on  the  roll  of  success,  due.  to ' the 
work  he  is  doing  on  the ' "Conqueror"  motors  in  his  capacity  as  'Engineering.  Officer, 

2nd  Lieut.  Thaddeus  Terry,  A.C.  Reserve,  a graduate)  of  the  Haval  Aviation 
School  at  Pensacola,  Fla.,  was  assigned  to  the  95th  Pursuit  Squadron. 

During  the  periodmof  maintenance,  preparatory  to  the  start  of  the  training, 
season,  quite  a f ew  officers  took  leave.  Rockwell  Field  was  a rather ■ deserted 
spot,  and  those  officers  Who  remained  had  to  be  ’content  with  watching  'the  hlavy 
fly.  Wo  Army  ships  left  .the  ..ground  during  maintenance  except  for  test.-  ’ 

Rockwell  Air  Depot  received  the  Hobart  washing  machine  for  the  cleaning- of 
engines  and  parts,  and  same -.has  been  installed,  ■ 

Work  was  started  on  the  installation  of  additional  gas  tanks  for  the  test 
blocks  to  provide  both  ethylized  and  white  domestic  gas ' in  the  block "test  of 
engines.  . - 

BT-2B  type  airplanes  have  been  passing  regularly  through  the  Rockwell  Air 
Depot  for  mechanical 1 check-up,  enroute  from  the  Douglas  Aircraft  Compdny  to  the 
various  Air  Corps  stations. 

Laying  of  steam  lines  from  the  boiler  of  the  'Engine.' Repair  over  to’ the  .north 
corner  of  the  building  to  connect  with  a new  steam  engine  cleaning  vat  has' been 
started. 

Lieut.  Barney  McK.  Giles  reported  at  Rockwell  from  March  Field  on  August  : 
23rd,  relieving  Lieut,  Raphael  Baez  as  Post  .Engineering  Officer.  I-h  addition, 
Lieut..  Giles  was  made  Chief  Engineer  for  the.  Depot  Supply.'  Lieut.  Baez,  -was 
ordered  to  the  Air  Corps  Training  Center  at  Duncan  Field.  ; - 

Fairfield  Air  Depot,  Fairfield. • Ohio , Sent.  30th. 

Major  A.L.  Sneed,  our  new  Commanding  Officer,  flew  to  Washington  on  Sept. 

17th  for  conference  in  the  Office  Chief  of  Air  Corps,  returning  the  next  day. 

It  has-been  intimated.. that  Captain.  John  M.  Clark  will  leave  us  shortly  for 
California  climate'.-  In  more  ways  than  .one  we  are  going  to  regret  losing  him. 

General  H.C.  Pratt,  Chief  of  the  -Materiel' Division,  and  Colonel  Crane  from 
the  Budget  Office  made  a tour' .of  inspection  of  the  Depot. 

Captain  Edward  Laughlin -recently  returned  from  a tour  of  inspection  thru, 
the  East,  where  he  visited  various  .'-..-airplane  and  motor  activities  handling  con- 
tracts and  furnishing  equipment  for  the  Air  Corns.'  He  -visited  Pratt  & Whitney 

-311-  V-S079,  A.C. 


Co.,  Hartford,  Conn,;  the  Wright  Aeronautical  Corporation  at  Paterson,  H.'J.t 
the  Fairchild  Go.  .at  I&rmingdale . and  other  aeronautical  indust  rial 'plants. 

Ideut.'  tO..  Asp  wa s appointed  Police  Officer.  Result- the. 'grass-  has  "been 
cut,  weeds  pulled,  shrubbery  'trimmed  and  gravel  paths  between  buildings  improved. 

fifeny  visitors,  a bit  too  numerous  to  mention  accurately,  were  • at  - the  -post 
■during  the  past  two  weeks,  viz;  Lieut.  Winstead,  piloting  a Fleetster , with  Asst. 
Secretary  of  War  Davison  as  passenger,  on  Aug,  3ist , enroute  from  Scott  Field 
to  Bolling  Field  - Messrs.  Priddy  and.  Fruzie  in  a Waco  from  Ostrander,  Sept. 4th, 
■enroute  to  Findlay  - Lieut.  Kenney  and  5 passengers  from  Rockwell  Field  on 
cross-country  mission  to  Wright  Field  - Li  exits.  Williams,  Hansen,  Sgt.  Reeny  and 
Corporal  Evans  from  Grissy  Field  on  cross-country  flight  - Lieuts.  Tellman, 
Pineens,  Waitkus,  Herman  and  Rhudy  from  Selfridge  Field  to  ferry  to  their  home 
station  planes  overhauled  at  this  Depot  - Captain  John  G.  Colgan  on  cross- 
country flight  from  liunken  Airport,.  Cincinnati  - -Lieut.  Bushong  from  Cleveland 
to  ferry  ah  02-H  airplane  overhauled  at  this  Depot  back  to  his  home  station  - 
Captain  Aubrey  X.  Eagle  enroute  to  San  Francisco  - Lieut.  Gardner  from  McConnell 
Field  to  ferry  t'o  his  home  station  an  0-11  overhauled  at  this  Depot  - Captain 
■Wright  in  ah  0-11,  with  Major  Dawson  as  passenger,  from  Richards  Field,  on  a 
cross-country  mission,  enroute  from  Bolling  Field  - ..Lieut, •:  Pugh;  pilot,  and 
‘General  Ford,  passenger,  in  an.A«3  plane,  enroute.  from- Scott  .to  .Bolling  Field  - 
Captain" 'Henfy  Pas cals,  formerly  stationed  at  this  Depot,  enroute  ■.  front: Bolling' to 
Chahute  Field  - Major- Houghton  and  Lieut.  Mills,  Middletown  Air  Depot,  cm  cross- 
country flight  - Major  George  H.  Brett ,. Commanding  Officer,  Selfridge  Field,  en- 
route to  his  home  station  from  Luiiken  Airport  - Lieut.  Stranathan  from -Bolling 
Field  .'and  Pvt.  Joseph  K.  Szymkiewicz , Fairfield.  Air, Depot departed  for r Bolling 
Field  Sept.  28th.  .7 

Capt.  George  E.  Thompson,  QMC,  reported  for  -temporary  duty  -..Sept,  '.26th  ab: 
Post  Quartermaster  during  absence  of  Ca-pt  . ..  John  L.  .Corbett  ,/,'now  on  two  'months' 
sick-leave  at  El  Paso,  Texas.  - 

Lieut,  and  Mrs..  George  "V.  MoPike  are  settled  in  quarters' -at  the '-Depot. 

Staff  Sgt.  John  McKenna,  Burgess  Field,  Uniontown,  Pa. , reported  for  tempo- 
rary duty  Sept*  16th  to  pursue  a thirty-day  course  of  instruction  in  engine 
repair. 

2nd  Lieut.  Charles  G.  Brown , A.C.  Reserve,  was  on  active  duty  at  this  sta- 
tion Sept.  12th  to., 25th,-  inclusive. 

Private  John  R.  Fuilaway  , - Medical  Dept.,  is  on  detached  service  in 
Washington,  D.C. , for-  the  purppse  of  taking  a three  months' .'course  dn  X-Ray 
work  at  the  Walter  Reed,  General;  Hospital.  . 

The'  Ladies'.  Golf  Club  of  the  Fairfield  Air  Depot  accepted  the:  challenge 
from  the  ladies  of  the  Dayton  Country  Club  to  play  a match  on  October  1st. 
Wednesday  is  known  as  "Ladies-' .•  Day"  at  the  Club,  and  all  those  participating  in 
the.  golf  matches  enjoyed'  the  day  very  much.  • 

The  Officers  residing  on  the  Post  were  scheduled  to  play  a competitive 
golf  match  on  October  8th  with- a team -picked  from,  the  officers  living  in  Dayton, 
Fairfield  and.  Osborn,  the  losing  team  to  pay  for  a stag  dinner • at.  Side  Slip  Inn 
the  same  evening. 

The  Robins  Cup  Tournament  was  played  in  August , the ■ cup  being  donated  by 
Major  and  Mrs.  A.W.  Robins.  Lieut.  C.D.  McAllister  won.  the-  cup.  for  officers 
and  Mrs.  Orval  Cook  won' the  cup  for  ladies.  Lieut.  Donald  F.  Stace  and  .Mrs. 

Oner  0.  Hi er garth  were  runners-up  for  officers  and  ladies,  respectively.  This 
Cup  Tournament  has  been  played,  for  the  past  three  years,. 

Although  our  Air  Corps .representatives,  Captain  John.  M.  Clark  and  Lieut. 
Donald  F.  Stace,  did  not  finish  in, the . finals  of  the  . Army  Golf  Championship  at 
Fort  Leavenworth,  we  compliment  them  upon  their  showing. 

Brooks  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  October "1st . 

Brooks  Field  personnel  were  scheduled  to  participate  .in  the  elaborate  re- 
ception. to  be  tendered  Messrs.  Coste  and  ^ellonte , on'  October' 1st . Planes  from 
Brooks  Field,  in  units,  of  three,,  were  to  fly  over  Winburn  Field,  .where  the  noted 
Frehch  airmen  were,  to  land,  .and  then,  follow  a.  detailed  course  ..to-  include  an  ex- 
tensively centralized  area,,  the  Brooks.;  Field  planes-  to-  be  followed  In  the  review 
by  Kelly  Field,,  flying  tjiesame  number  of  planes...  . 

Brooks' Field  hangars  .are  assuming  new  and  much  more  attractive  exteriors 
since  the  application  of  fresh  coats  of  paint.  Ho  money  was  allotted  for  paint- 
ing the  16  hangars.,  but  the  Quartermaster  of  the  Field  - as  Quartermasters  some- 

-312-  V-6079,  A.C. 


times  are  wont  tb-  do  - found  a sufficient  amount ' of  paint,  and  so  the  personnel 
of  the  respective  hangars  are  doing  the  painting  j oh  themselves  during  their 
spare  hduis^ ; : ■ -■  V- 

• —Captr 'Louis  -R.  Knight,  Director 'of1  draining  at  Brooks  Field,  went  to... 
Buffalo,  U.  Y.  to  ferry  an  XPT6A  from'  the  Fleet  Aircraft  Go-,  at.  that  place  to 
‘-'Brooks  Field. 

2nd  Lieut . Signa  A..  Gilkey  flew  to  Chanute  Field  Sept . 19th  to  transport 
enlisted  men  to  the  Technical  School  and'  to  return  graduates,  to  their  stations 
at  Brooks  and  Kelly  Fields. 

Captain  Christopher  W.  Ford  reported  at  Brooks  Field  from  duty  with  the 
Organized  Reserves  at  the  Army  Base  at  Boston. . He  was  detailed  on  special  duty 
as  a student  in  the  Flying  Instructors'  School  at  Kelly  Field.  ■ • 

The  following-named  Brooks  Field  officers  were  detailed  to  special  duty 
as  Instructors  in  the  Flying  Instructors'  School , Kelly  Field,  which  started 
Sept.  15th:  1st  Lieut.  Clyde  K.  Rich,  2nd  Lieut s.  Elmer  J.  Rogers,  Jr. , and 
Burton  M.  Hovey,  Jr.  Officers  placed  on  special  duty  with  the  Flying  Instructors 
School,  in  addition  to  Captain  Ford,  were  2nd  Lieut s.  James  W.  McCauley,  John 
J.  Jones  and  Jordan  F.  Haney. 

2nd  Lieut.  Walter  G.  Bryte , Jr.  , went  on  a month' s leave  Sept..  20th, 

Captain  Gerd  Yon  Mas sow,  Imperial  German  Army,  was  authorized  by  the  War 
Department  to  matriculate  in  the  Primary  Flying  School , and  to  report  Oct.  5th. 

2nd  Lieut.  Allen  J . -Mickle  is  absent  on  a month' s sick  leave. 

1st  Lieut.  E.D.  Johes  • reported  here  from  Panama.  He  was  cordially  welcom- 
ed, espe  cially  by  a number  of  old  timers  who  served  with  him  in  days  of  yore 
and  on  the  border  patrol. 

Lieut . D/D.  FitzGerald,  Director  of  Ground  Instruction,  was  granted  a 
month' s leave  of  absence  which  he  is  spending  with -his  parent s in  Miami,  Fla. 

Lieut * R.D.  Knapp  returned  from  a month's  leave  and  was  assigned  as 
Commandant  of  Cadets. 

Brig.  General  Ben  j . D.  Foulois,  accompanied  by  Major  W.G.  Kilner,  -Executive, 
Office  of  the  Chief  of  Air  Corps,  Captains  A. B.  McDaniel  and  H.  M.  McClelland, 
visited  Brooks  Field  October  9th  on  their  return  from  a trip  to  the  West  Coast 
as  a part  of  an  extended  inspection  tour.  While  here , General  Foulois  conferred 
with  Lieut. -Ceil.  Clagett  and  the.  department  heads  as  to  the  training  methods, etc. 
of  the  Air  Corps  Primary  Flying  School . 

A boxing  and-  wrestling  card  recently  held  at  the.  Balloon  Hangar  went  over 
in  big  style.  This  was  the  first  of  a series  of  cards  to  be  held  monthly  by 
the  Brooks  - Field  Athletic  Association  for  the  members,  their  friends,  and  the 
public. 

The  Program  consisted  of  four  boxing  matches  and  one  wrestling  exhibition. 
The  main  event , an  eight-round  bout  between  Bill  Williams  and  Kid  Burns,  the 
former  of  Brooks  Field  and  the  latter  of  Dallas,  Texas , resulted  in  a victory 
for  Williams , who  knocked  out  his  opponent  : in  the  second  round.  Jack  Tesser , 
of  Brooks  Field,  won  handily  over  Bobbie  Fairlee , of  Kelly  Field,  in  the  semi- 
final, being  awarded  the  referee's  decision  after  six  rounds  of  clean  cut 
fighting.  The  Brooks  Field  "pug"  entered  the  ring  under  a great  handicap, 
having  suffered  a broken  thumb  while  undergoing: training.  He  stuck  it  out  game- 
ly, however , and  was  rewarded  by  the  decision. 

Orozyco,  of  Brooks  Field,  and  Blocker,  12th  Field  Artillery,  Ft.  Sam 
Houston*  battled  four  rounds,  the  former  gaining  the  referee’s  decision. 

Bill-  Cavanaught , of  Brooks  Field,  and  "Battling"  Burns,  of  San  Antonio, 
put  on  an  exhibition  boxing  match,- a draw  being  the  verdict.  Burnett  and  , 

Kennedy , both  of  Brooks  Field,  exhibited  their  skill  on  the  mat,  and  the  former 
won  in  two  straight  falls  of  four  and  five  and  one-half  minute  durations,  a 
series'  of  f lying  mares  doing  the  work  for  the  first  fall  and  the  hammer  lock 
for  the  second. 

Bigger  and  better  fighters  and  wrestlers  will  be.  lined  up  for  future  cards , 
thus  assuring  good  programs  in  the  future . 

■'  ' ' C— --gOo—  ' . • . 

F.  0 Q .T-  B A L L ■ 

MAROOTS  AED  FORT  CROCKETT.  lit - A TIE  . 

By  Jack  Germaine,.  Array  Sports" Reporter 

Fort  Crockett's  Golden  Tide , reigning  Eight:  Corps  Area  football  champs,  flew 
to  Brooks  Field,  heavy  favorites  to  trounce.  thq.:  Brooks :;Field  Maroons , and  did 
well  to  gain  a 7 - 7 tie  verdict,  beipg  completely  outplayed  and  outclassed  in 

-313-  “ 7-6079 , A. C. 


every  quarter  but  the-  second,  when  the  Golden  Tide  took  advantage  of  breaks’  to 
score  their  lone  touchdown, 

The  game  was  played  in  a sea  of  mud  on  the  Brooks  Field  gridiron  before  a 
crowd  estimated1 -at-  .$,000,  which  included  scouts  from  the  local  Army  grid  teams 
(especially  the  Kelly  Field  representatives). 

The  poor  condition  of  the  gridiron  caused  frequent  fumbles 'by  both  teams. 

A clear  field  would  have  favored  the  local  airmen,  which  clicked  like  a veteran  i 
machine  in  their  first  appearance  of  the  season.  The  Maroons  performed  excep- 
tionally well,  their  new  style  of  offensive,  although  crude  in  its  execution  at 
times,  was ..-nevertheless  effective  throughout. 

The  Brooks  Field  Maroons  presented  a team  much  stronger  than  that  of  last 
year  and  will  bear  plenty  of  watching  in  the  Army  football  league.  Prospects 
for  a championship  team  were  never  so  bright  as  they  are  this  year,  Lieut. 

John  Murrel,  tutor  of  the  Maroons,  stated  after  the  game.  il 

The -Fort  Crockett  Golden  Tide'  also  presented  a good  team,  but'  their  per- 
formance could  in  no  way  compare  with  that  of  last  year,  -the  absence'  of  their 
outstanding  performer,  "Red"  Lashley,  being' very  much  in  evidence. 

Crockett  won  the  toss  and  chose  to  receive.-  Sartain,  quarterback  for  the  ! 
Maroons,  who  played  a heads-up  game  for  the  locals,  kicked  to  the  Tide  Vs  15- 
yard  line,  and  Crymes  was  downed  in  his  tracks.  Ch  the  first  play,  Crockett  . 
.fumbled  and  Sartain  recovered  for  the  Maroons . Murrel  went  off  tackle  for  an 
8-yard  gain.  Brooks  was  penalized  10  yards  for  offside  and  delaying  the  game. 

The  Golden  Tide’s  forward  wall  held  and  they  took  the  ball  on  their  own  11-yd. 
line  and  punted  out  of  danger.  Again  the  Maroons  marched  down  the  field,  this 
time  to  the  three- yard  line,  where  they  again  met  a stone  wall.  The  quarter 
ended  after  Bentley  had  kicked  out  of  danger  with  the’  ball  in -possession  of  the 
locals  on  Crockett’s  10- yard  line. 

Fort  Crockett  came,  back  a different  team  in  the  second- quarter,  taking  ad- 
vantage of  a Maroon  fumble  and  bad  pass  from  center  in  the  middle  of  the  second 
quarter  to  take  possession  of  the  pigskin  ch  Brooks’  6- yard  line.  Three  times 
the  Tide’s  backs  met  a stone  wall  and  were  repulsed,  but  on  the  final  down'  a 
short  pass,  Going  to  Thomas,  went  over  the  goal  into  the  hands  of  the  waiting 
Tide’s  right  end  for  a touchdown.  A neatly  placed  kick  by  Bentley  was  good  for 
the  seventh  point.  The  half  ended  with  tho  ball  in  Crockett’ s possession  in 
midfield. 

Bentley,  Crockett  back,  had  just  kicked  off  to  start  the  third  quarter, 
when  Murrel  took  the  ball  on  his  own  20-yard  line,  and  behind  the  excellent  in- 
terference of  C-ira-rd  and  Sartain,  evaded  the  last  Tide-  tackier  in  midfield  and 
dashed  unmolested  the  remainder  of  the  field  for  a touchdown,  amid  the  cheers 
of  the  large  gathering,  Sartain’ s place  kick  shared  over  the  bar  and  the  score 
'was  seven  to  seven.  , 

Porter  and  Arner  for  the  Maroons  and  Thomas  of  the  Tide  were  outstanding  in 
the  line,  while  Murrel , Pratt,  Felton  and  Sartain  performed  exceptionally  well 
for  Brooks, and  Crymes,  Smith  and  Bentley  featured  for  the  invading  eleven. 

oOo 

FOOTBALL  AT  LANGLEY  FIELD,  VIRGINIA 

Langley  Field  has  definitely  committed  itself  to  a program  of  bigger  and 
better  sports  and  recreation  development,  with  the  idea' not  only  of  benefiting 
the  post  personnel,  but.  of-  bringing  to  the  Virginia  Peninsula  and  its  citizens 
a better  appreciation  of  the  Army  and  its  personnel. 

Langley  Field  hopes - to  make  its  teams  known  not  only  for  their  athletic 
ability  but  for  their  sportsmanship.  Following  out  this  idea,  the  Langley  . 

Field  athletic  authorities  during  the  past  few  months  arranged  for  manjr  foot- 
ball games  \7ith  colleges.  This  will  be  the  first  time  the  Virginia  Peninsula 
has  had  so  many  college /games /-on  local  gridirons.  The  people  of  the  .Peninsula 
are  taking  a great  interest  in  the  Langley  Field  team,  and’ it  is  expected  they 
will  turn  out  in  large  numbers  to  witness  the  home  games.  The  football  program 
has  been  issued  by  the  Langley  Field  Athletic  Association,  and  the  business  men 
of  the  communities  near  Langley  Field  have  shown  their  support  by  taking  all 
the  available  advertising  space  in  , the.  program. 

Langley  Field  will  have  three  complete  teams  this  fall.  At  the  beginning 
of  the  season  on  August  '26th,  140  candidates  reported  for  football  practice, 
and  while  the;  coache s were  hard  put::  to  cut  the  squad,  it  has  Wen  finally  cut 
to  tke  40  men,V;Who -.will  carry  on  to  'the  end'^df  the  football  season.  There  is 
little  to  choose  between  the  40  men' who -maW  up  the  squad  and  little  difference 

- -314-  V-6079,  A. C. 


between  the  ability  of  any  of  the  three  teams.  Consequently,  prospects  look 
extremely  bright  for  a successful  season,  and  the  Langley  Field  team  should  be 
able  to  win  a majority  of  the  games  on  its  schedule* 

Many  football  scribes  have  stated  - a team's  strength  depends  on  its 
available  reserves.  If  such  is  the  case,  Langley  Field  is  well  taken  care  of 
in  that  respect,  and  while  the  coaches  are  not  entirely  sanguine  about  the 
chances  of  going  through  the  season  undefeated,  they  are  certain  that  the  op- 
posing teams  will  know  they  have  been  In  a football  game.  Langley  Field's 
hope  is  to  develop  an  Air  Corps  football  team  with  a reputation  which  will 
rival  that  of  the  famous  Marine  Corps  team  at  Quant ico.” 

The  first  game  for  the  championship  of  the  Southern  District,  Third  Corps 
Area,  will  be  played  with  Fort  Monroe  at  Langley  Field  Nov.  1st.  Fnen  Langley 
and  Monroe  get” together  for  an  athletic  contest  there  is  certain  to  be  a color- 
ful exhibition.  Last  year  Langley  was  fortunate  and  beat  the  Monroe  team  39 
to  6.  However,  Fort  Monroe  has  been  strengthened  by  the  addition  of  several 
men  who  played  on  the  Fort  East is  team  last  year,  and  it  is  expected  that  this 
game  will  be  very  close. 

After  the  Fort  Monroe  game  comes  the  one  with  Fort  Fastis  on  Nov.  5th  at 
Fort  Eustis.  Hie  Eustis  team  is  somewhat  'handicapped  in  having  lest  a number 
of  their  players  due  to  transfer  of  several  organizations  from  Fort  Eustis  to 
Fort  Monroe.  Last  year's  Langley- Eustis  game  was  very  close,  and  it  was  any- 
one's game  until  the  final  whistle.  The  final  score  was  Langley  7,  Eustis  6. 

Nov*  8th  the  team  will  take  its  second  trip,  this  time  to  Wilson,  N;C., 
for  a game  with  the  Atlantic  Christian  College,  which  has  an  outstanding 
record  among  the  smaller  colleges  in  this  section  of  the  country. 

Three  days  after  the  Atlantic  Christian  game,  on  Nov.  11th,  the  team  will 
play  the  Potomac  State  Teachers  College,  in  Newport  News  as  an  Aimistice  Day  at- 
traction which  is  designed  to  give  the  fans  of” the  Peninsula  an  example  of  real 
football.  Potomac  Stare  last  season  had  a very  successful  team,  and  as  most  of 
their  last  year's  team  is  back,  Langley  will  have  plenty  of  opposition. 

Probably  the  hardest  game  of  the  season  will  be  that  with  Gallaudet  Col- 
lege of  Washington,  D.C.  Last  year  this  team  had  the  third  highest  scorer  in 
the  country  as  one  of  its  backs,  and  the  team  was  a constant  threat  to  its  op- 
ponent's goal  line.  This  game  will  be  played  on  the  Langley  gridiron,  where 
the  team  should  have  plenty  of  support  from  the  Langley  Field  soldiers.  This 
makes  five  games  during  a period  of  15  days.  Reserve  strength  in  these  games 
will  be  of  vital  necessity”  if  the  team  is  to  be  successful.' 

The  final  scheduled  game  will  be  on  Nov.  22nd  with  Oak  Ridge  Military 
Institute,  which  has  a reputation  for  turning  out  successful  football  teams. 
Their  total  score  for  the” 1929  Season  runs  up  into  large  figures.  They  pack 
a terrific  wallop  and  have  plenty  of  srjeed. 

If  the  Langley  team  is  successful  in  winning  from  Monroe  and  Eustis, 
thereby  winning  the  Southern  District  Championship,  the  team  will  meet  the 
champions  of  the  Northern  District  for  the" Corps  Area  Championship  at  Langley 
Field  on  November  27th.  In  1929  the  team  won  the  Southern ’District  Champion- 
ship, and  in  the  Corps  Area  Championship  played  against  the  Carlisle  Barracks 
team  at  Carlisle,  Pa.  Although  the  Langley  team  put  up  an  excellent  brand  of 
football,  they  lost  to  the  Carlisle  team. 

Langley  Field  is  fortunate  in  having  a first  class  coaching  staff  to 
drill  the  football  squad.  Captain  George  L.  Usher  is  at  the  head  of  the 
coaching  staff  and  has  as  assistants  1st  Lieut.  George  G.  Lundberg,  who  for- 
merly played  End  on  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  is  now  coaching  the 
LangLey  Field  ends:  and  1st  Sgt.  Steve  Stanowich,  who  is  well  known  as  a 
Tackle  on  the  Ail- Army  team  at  Fort  Denning  and  is  probably  one  of  the  best 
linemen  any  Army  team  has  had. 

Practically  all  of  last  year's  successful  team  is  available  this  year 
and,  in  addition,  there  are  several  excellent  former  school  and  college  foot- 
ball men,  who  ho-pe  to  give  seme  of  the  last  year's  players  a stiff  battle  for 
their  jobs.  The  officers  and  men  of  the .post  are  giving  their  unfailing  sup- 
port to  the  football  team  and  everyone  expects  a successful  season  will  result. 


Thus  far  Langley  Field  has  played  three  games , winning  from  Campbell 
College  7 to  0,  and  losing  to  William  and  Mary  19  to  7 and  to  the  Qiantico 
Marines  7 to  0. 


-315- 


V-6079,  A. C. 


. ' 


■ 

. . 

• 


VOL.  XIV 


ITOVXMBXR  14,  1950 


HO.  13 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 
0O0 

Photographs  to.  Accompany  Articles  in  News  Letter 

Colonel  Rickenbacker  Presented  with  Medal  of  Honor  

The  First  American  Victory  

Frank  Luke  

Pursuiters  Attend  Legion  Convention  in  Boston.  . . 

Japanese  Flyer  Gets  a Taste  of  Blind  Flying.  ........... 

Pursuiters  Attend  Luncheon  for  Retiring  Army  Chief  

Members  of  94th  Squadron  Wear  French  Decoration.  . 

36th  Pursuit  Squadron  Organized  at  Selfridge  Field 

Death  of  Lieut.  Wm.  Caldwell  

Graduation  Exercises  for  Advanced  Flying  School  - Students 

John  L.  Mitchell  Trophy  Race  to  Be  Held  at  Self ridge  Field  . . . . 
Mason  M.  Patrick  Trophy  Race  to  Be  Held  at  Galveston,  Texas.  . . . 

Obsolete  Airplanes  Bombed  at  Camp  Stanley  . 

Vicinity  of  Fort  Sill  Converted  into  Shell  Torn  Battlefield  . . . 
Representatives  of  Aircraft  Industry  Visit  Materiel  Division  . . . 

Wright  Field  Employe  Tours  Europe  via  •Bicycle 

Washington  National  Guard  Airmen  Speak.  Their  piece  . 

67th  Service  Squadron  Comes  to  Life  Again  ..  . . . . . . . . . . 
Seventh  Bombardment  Group  Engages  in  Maneuvers  .........  . 

Jungle  Pets  at  France  Field,  Panama .' 

Seven  Airplanes  Establish  Contact  Over  Whole  State  in  One  Mission. 

San  Antonio  Air  Depot  a Beehive  of  Industry 

Army  Airmen  Always  on  the  Go 

More  About  That  Kelly  Field—  Crockett.  Golf  Match. i ;.  .;  . f, 

Third  Attack  Group.  Starts  Radio  Broadcasting  * . . ;.  ; 

Contracts  for  New  Air  Corps  Equipment 

Industrial  Heads  Visit  Wright  Field.  

How  the  Hat-In-The-Ring  Insignia  Caine  into  Being 

A True- Radio  Story  . 

War  Department  Orders  Affecting  Air. >£orps  Officers 

A Most  Unusual  Mother.  . . . . V . . ' . . . . . . ...  . . . . . . 
Status  of  Instruction  of  Officers  of  Ajmiy  Air  Corps.  . . ...  . . 

To  Check  Air  Navigation  Maps  . . . . . . 

Notes  from  Air  Corps  Fields.  . . . ' ...  . ...  


Page 

Fore  sheet 
,316  - 320 
• • 321 
.321  - 322 
,322  - 323 
323 

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, 324  ~ 325 

325  , 
,325  - 326 

326 

,326  - 327 

327 
327 
327  | 


,328  - 330 
330 

, 330 

330 

331 

331  - 332 

332 

332 

333 
333 

333 

333  - 334 

334 

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335 
335 

335 

336 


V-6089 , A. C. 


AIR 


CORPS 


NO.  13 


VOL.  XIV 

Information  Division 
. Air  Corps 


NEW  -g-, 

• " Munitions . Building 
November  14,  1950  ’ Washington,  D.C. 


The  chief  purpose  of  this  publication  is  to'  distribute  information  on 
aeronautics  to  the  flying  personnel  in  the  Regular  Army,  Reserve  Corps,  National 
Guard,  and  others  connected  with  aviation. 

— -oOo — — 

COLONEL  RICKENBACKER  PRESENTED  WITH  MEDAL  OP  HONOR 


The  highest  recognition  it  is  possible  for  this  nation  to  bestow  upon  an 
individual  for  bravery  and  intrepidity  in  war  time  - the  Congressional  Medal  of 
Honor  - was  presented  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  to  Colonel  Edward 
‘ V.  Rickenbacker , foremost  American  flyer  during  the  World  War. 

The  presentation  ceremony  took  place  at  Polling  Field,  Anacostia,  D.C. , on 
the  afternoon  of  Thursday,  November  6th.  Shortly  before  2:30  p.m. , the 
Presidential  "party  arrived  at  the  field  to  be  saluted  by  the  Presidential  salute 
of  21  guns.  Preceded  by  his  aides  and  accompanied  by  the  Hon.  F.  Trubee 
Davison,  Assistant  Secretary  of  War  for  Aeronautics,  the  President  entered  the 
stand,  where  Col.  Rickenbacker  and  General  James  E.  Fechet , Chief  of  the  Air 
Corps,  were  presented  "to  him  and  Mrs.  Hoover. 

Promptly  at  2:30  p.m. , the  ceremonies  began, these  being  broadcasted  on 
the  National  Broadcasting  System  throughout  the  United  States  and  on  the  local- 
ized 'public  address  system  installed  on  the  field  by  the  U.S.  Signal  Corps. 

"The  President  of  the  United  States,"  announced  Secretary  Davison,  in  open- 
ing the  ceremonies,  "in  the  name  of  Congress,  will  award  the  Congressional  Medal 
of  Honor  to  Colonel  Rickenbacker,  General  Fechet  will  read  the  citation." 
Whereupon  General  Fechet  read  the  citation,  as  follows: 

"Edward  V.  Rickenbacker,  Colonel,  Specialist  Reserve,  then  first 
lieutenant,  94th  Aero  Squadron,  Air  Service,  American  Expeditionary  Forces. 
For  conspicuous  gallantry  and  intrepidity  above  and  beyond  the  call  of 
duty  in  action  against  the  enemy  near  Billy,  France,  September  25,  1918. 
While  on  a voluntary  patrol  over  the  lines,  Lieut.  Rickenbacker  attacked 
7 enemy  planes  (5  type  Fokker , 'protecting  2 type  Halberstadt) . Disregard- 
ing the  odds  against  him,  he  dived  on  them  and  shot  down  one  of  the  Fokker s 
out  of  control.  He  then  attacked  one  of  the  Halberstadts  and  sent  it  down 
also..  Residence  at  appointment:  1334  East  Livingston  Avenue,  Columbus,  0." 
In  bestowing  upon  this  intrepid  war  bird  the  highest  decoration  that  the 
country  can  give,  the  President,  in  "putting  the  ribbon  over  Rickenbacker*  s head, 
stated'; 

"Captain  Rickenbacker,  in  the  name  of  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States,  I take  great  pleasure  in  awarding  you  the  Congressional  Medal  of 
Honor,  our  country's  highest  decoration  for  conspicuous  gallantry  and  in- 
trepidity above  and  beyond  the  call  of  duty  in  action  with  the  enemy.  At 
a stage  in  the  development  of  aviation  when  the' flying  of  airplanes  was  a 
much  more  hazardous  undertaking  than  it  is  today,  you  were  achieving 
victories  which  made  you : the  universally  recognized  Ace  of  Aces  of  the 
American  forces.  Your  record  is  an  outstanding  one  for  skill  and  bravery, 
and  is  a source  of  "pride  to  your  comrades  and  your  countrymen.  Although 
this  awg,rd  is  somewhat  belated,  I hope ; that". your  .gratification  in  receiv- 
ing.'this  Medal  of  Honor  will  be  as  keen  as  mine  is  in  bestowing  it.  May 
you, .wear  it  during  many  years  of  happiness  and  continued  usefulness  to 
your  country." 

Visibly  moved  as  the  decoration  was  pinned  on  him,  Colonel  Rickenbacker 
turned  to  the  microphones  on  the  stand  and,  in  a voice  which  trembled  with  emo- 
tion, replied  to  the  brief  address  of  the  Army's  present  Commander-in- Chief. 

"Mr.  President » " he  said,  "I  should  be  ungrateful  if  I failed  to 
recognize  this  great  honor  as  a true  tribute  to.  my.  comrades  in  arms, 
soldiers  and- sailors,  living  and  dead.  In  "peace  and  in  war  they  have 
contributed- their  share.  They  have  perpetuated,  the  traditions  and  high 
ideals  of  the  United  States  in  the  air  as  they  have  on  the  land  and  sea." 
Representative  Robert  H.  Clancy,  of  Michigan,  long  a friend  of  Colonel' 
Rickenbacker,  eulogized  the  'war-time  flyer  over  the  radio-  system,  while  all  the 
former  members  of  the  94th  Aero  Squadron  who  came  to  Washington  for  this  occa- 
sion, were  presented  to  the  President,  being  then  introduced  to  the  radio-listen- 

-316-  V-6089 , A. C. 


ing  puhLi  c over  the  microphone  “by  Mr.  Provenson,  of  the  ■ hat i.onal  Broadcasting 
System,  and  Reed  Chambers,  ex- 94th  flyer,  who  had  acted  as  shepherd  of  this 
little  flock  of  "Eddie's"  war-time  associates  daring  their. stay  in  Washington. 

All  had  hat  a few  words  to  say,  all  congratulated  "Eddie"  and  stated  that  there 
was  no  one,  in  their  estimation,  who  deserved  the.  Medal  more  than  he  did. 

At  this  time  the  19  -planes  of  the  present  94th  Pursuit  Squadron  from 
Selfridge  Field,  Mt . Clemens,  Mich.’,  the  5 Bombers  from  the  2nd  Bombardment 
Group  from  Langley  Field,  Va. , and  9 Observation  planes  from  the  9th  Group, 
Mitchel  Field,  N.Y. , which  had  taken  off  a few  minutes  before,  were  circling 
about  in  the  air,  somewhere  below  the  horizon  to  the  south  of  the  field. 

Suddenly  the  Bombers  came  into  view  over  the  large  hangar,  followed  in 
turn  by  the  Curtiss  "Falcon"  Observation  planes  and  then  the  Boeing  Pursuit 
planes.  Flying  in  close  formation,  keeping  their  intervals  and  proper  align- 
ment despite  the  strong,  gusty  west  wind  which  was  whipping  across  the  field, 
they  flew  down  past  the  President  and  Colonel  Rickenbacker , passing  in  review  • 
before  them  and  thus  rendering  the  prescribed  military  aerial  homage. 

As  they  flew  past  the  northern  boundary  of  Bolling  Field,  the  "Falcons" 
and  Keystone  Bombers  pulled  to  the  right,  then  flew  down  to  the  south,  the 
Bombers  circling  about  in  that  sector  while  the  Observation  planes  landed  on 
that  end  of  the  airdrome. 

The  Pur suiters  had  started  a steep  climb,  up  over  the  Naval  radio  towers 
and  then  a steep  climbing  turn  in  close  formation  that  took  them  directly  over 
the  reviewing  stand.  Suddenly,  their  formation  changed.  The  three -ship  ele- 
ments and  the  flights  had  loosened  up  and  these  in  turn  strung  out  in  single 
file.  The  leader  started  a wide  turn,  the  others  turned  also,  in  a:  follov>-the- 
leader  movement,  until  .the  leader  was  on  the  last  man’s  tail.  The  Pur suiters 
were  flying  the  maneuver  that  had  been  practiced  so  many  times  on  the  Western 
front,.,  the  Lufberry  Circle,  named  in  memory  of  the  old  Commanding  Officer  of 
the  famous  94th.  It  was  this  maneuver  which  had  been. perfected  in  those 
stirring  war  days  to  allow  the  single-seater  pursuit  planes,  with  no  rearward 
armament,,  to  protect  themselves  from  the  attack  of  a superior  force  of  enemy 
planes,  each  plane  in  the  circle  always  being  ready  to  protect,  with  its  forward 
pointing  guns  the  plane  or  planes  ahead  of  it  in  the  circle. 

The  President  and  his  party  were  interested.  General  Mason  M.  Patrick, 
former' Chief  of  the  Air  Corps;  Admiral  Wm.  Hoffet,  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of 
Aeronautics,  Navy  Department;  and  others  all  cast  their  eyes  aloft  to  view  this 
stirring  aerial  spectacle  so  appropriate  to  this  occasion. 

Over  the  microphone  of  the  National  Broadcasting  System,  Lieut.  Roland 
Birnh,  of  the  Information  Division,  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  was 
describing  to  those  absent  from  the  field  this  aerial  maneuver  and  the  interest 
it  was  arousing  in  those  present  to  view  it.  Captain  William  J.  Flood,  of  the 
Training  and  Operations  Division,  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  was 
explaining  the  maneuver  over  the  public  address  system  installed  on  the  field. 

From  the  circle  the  formation  broke  into  a series  of  figure  eights,  then  re- 
forming into  their  original  element  and  flight  formations,  while  the  five 
Bombers,  close  packed  and  flying  a V- formation,  flew  up  opposite  the  grandstand. 
Suddenly,  the  leading  flight  straightened  out,  then  in  a screaming  dive,  audible 
over  the  radio  and  sounding  into  the  ears  of  radio  listeners  throughput  the  en- 
tire country,  the  little  P-12C' s ' dove  in  a simulated  attack  upon  the  lumbering 
Bombers  beneath  them.  It  was; a maneuver  that  Rickenbacker  had  often  flown,  and 
it  was  bringing  him  and  the  ex-members  of  the  94th  present  at  the  field,  back  to 
those  stirring  days  of  1917  and  1918,  when  they  were  .all  for  one  and  one  for  all. 

How  interesting  the  aerial  spectacle  proved  to  be  was  evidenced  by  the 
fact  that  the  Chief  ’Executive  of  this  nation  remained  at  the  field  to  witness 
all  this  which  was  offered  by  the  Army  Air  Corps  in  honoring  its  ranking  "Ace" 
and  not  leaving  his  position  in  the  wind-swept  grandstand  until  the  planes  had 
pulled  away  from  the  scene  and  landed  on  the  airdrome. 

Upon  the  departure  of  the  President  and  his  party,  "Eddie"  met  the  present 
members  of  the  94th  Pursuit  Squadron  and  all  were  introduced  to  the  former  mem- 
bers of  the  94th  - those  middle-aged  keen  looking  men  of  today  who  had  been  the 
war  birds  of  .yesterday.  Most  of  the  present  members  of ' the . 94th  had  just  been 
entering  high  school  when  this  blue-ribboned  Medal  of  Honor  had  been  won.  The 
ex-members  wondered  if  they  had  ever  looked  as  young  as  these  war  birds  of  today. 

Officers  and  ex-officers  repaired  to  the  Officers'  Club  at  Bolling  Field,, 
where  ah  informal  reception  was  held  and  memories  exchanged.  Those  former  mem- 
bers of  the  old  94th -present  on  the  ‘occasion  were  H.  Weir  Cook,  G. T.  Crocker, 

-t317-  V-6089,  A.C. 


John  DeWitt,  Ben  C...  Jones.  Duncan  R.:,  MacKenzde,  Allan  Winslow,  Alden.  B..  Sherry, . 
Chester  A.  Snow,, Reed  ..Chambers,  Robert  C. . Cates,  Jr.  , -H.  Danin  Green, ; Donald 
G.  Herring,  W.W.‘  Chalmers , . and.  Captain  Frank  O'D.  Hunter,  the  latter  one  of  the 
few  "Aces"  still  serving  in  the  Army.  Air  Corns.  Another  famous  "Ace-," 

G.  DeFreest  Lamer,  an  ex-member  of  the  103d  Aero  Squadron,  which  in  its  days, 
had  been  the  Lafayette  Escadrille,  was  also  there,  known  by  all  who  had  fought 
by  his  side- over  the  shell-torn  battlefields  in  France. 

The  officers  from  Bolling  Field,  and  those  from  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of 
the  Air  Corns  were  there,  too,  for  this  was  a real  Air  Corns  day.  Those  pilots 
who,  had  flown  in  from  Selfridge  Field  with  the  94th  planes  were  Captain  Victor 
Hi  Strahm,  who  is  credited  with  five  victories  during  the  Woi\Ld  War,  Lieuts. 
Harry  A.  Johnson,  Aubrey  3.  Ballard,  Raymond  E.  Culbertspn,  Cecil  E.  Henry, 
Edward  H.  Underhill,  Paul  M.  Jacobs,  Clarence  F.  Hegy,  Theodore  M.  Bolen,  Frank 
J. . Coleman,  Emmett  O’Donnell,  Air  Corps,  and  Lieuts.  H.O.  Coleman,  Kenneth  W. 
Mosher,  T.W.,  Scott,  Carl. R.  Feldman,  H.H.W.  Tellman,  Felix  M.  Waitlcus,  Sheldon 
B.  Yoder,  and  Will  W.  McConnell,  Air  Corps  Reserve. 

The  Bombing  pilots,  were  Major  Herbert  A.  Dargue,  Lieuts,  James  Hammond, 
James  E.  Adams,  James  M.  Gillespie,  Leonard  F.  Harman,  Delma  T.  Spivey,  Air 
Corps,  and  Lieuts.  Clifton  D.  Wright,  Wm.  G.  Davis., ; Clarence  L.  Terrill,  Melvin. 
S.  (Joe)  Hollidge- and  Theodore  Q,.  Graff,  Air  Corps  Reserve* 

The  Observation  flyers  from  Mi tchel  Field  were- Lieuts.  E.E.  (Tiny)  Harmon, 
David  p.  Laubach,  Charles  G.  Goodrich,  Robert  0.  Cork,  Leon  W.  Johnson,  A.V.P. 
Anderson,  Jr.,.  Air  Corps,  and  2nd /Lieuts.  George  R.  Cullman,  Ferdinand  Eble-,and 
Francis  X.  Kelly,  Air  Corps  Reserve. 

That:  night  a grand:  reunion  was  held  of  all  the- ex- war  birds  at  the  home  of 
one  of  their  Washington  members,  - Captain  Chester  A.  Snow,  now  a staid  business 
man  of  the  Capital  City,  but-  once  one  of  those  who  had  flown,  and  fought  for 
Old  Glory. 

The  following  is  the  official  list  of  victories ,..  25  in  number,  credited  to/ 
Colonel  Rickenbacker:  . 


Date 
- 1918 

Type  - of  .Airplane 

. Region 

■ Altitude 
Meters 

April 

29 

Albatross 

Vigneulles  les Hatton  Chatel. 

2,000 

May  • 

17 

Albatross 

Riche court 

4,500 

May 

22 

Albatross- 

Flirey 

- 4,000 

May 

28 

Albatross* 

Bois  de  Rate 

4,500 

May 

30 

Albatross* 

Jaulnoy  , 

4,000 

Sept  i 

14. 

Fokker 

Villey  Waville . 

3-, 000  • 

Sept . 

15 

F.okker 

Bois  de  Waville 

4,000 

Sept . 

25 

Halberstadt  . . 

Foret  de  Seincourt 

2,000 

Sept. 

25 

Fokker 

Billy 

. 3,000 

Sept . 

26 

Fokker 

Damvillers 

1, 500 

Sept. 

28 

Balloon 

Si  vry- Sur- Meus  e 

100  . 

Sept. 

29., 

Balloon 

Dun-  Sur-  Meu  s e 

: . 200 

October 

2 

Fokker 

Villosnes 

■ 1,000 

October 

2 

Halberstadt 

Montfaucon  • 

600 

October 

3 

L.  V.  G. 

Dannevoux 

600 

October 

.3. 

Rumpler  . 

. .Cl ery-le- Grand 

. 500 ' 

October 

.9 . « 

Balloon 

•Dun-  Sur-  Meus  e 

. On  Ground 

October 

10' 

- .Fokker, 

Clery-le-Fetit 

■ 600,., 

October 

10  .. 

-Fokker. 

Cl ery-1 e-Pe  tit 

80© 

October  22 

, Fokker  . 

Clery-le-Petit 

1,200 

October 

23 

Fokker 

Le  Grand  Carre  Ferme  ■ 

600- 

October  27. 

Fokker. 

Grandpre  ;; 

2,000- 

October 

27 

Bo is-de- Money • • 

Bo is-de- Money 

3,000 

October. 

30 

• Fokker 

St.  Juvin 

200 

October 

30 

Balloon 

Remonville 

On.  Ground 

..According  to  the  history  of  the  94th  Aero  Squadron,  Rickenbacker • brought 
down  a Halberstadt  in  the-  region  of  Montfaucon  at  ,600  meters  on  October  3rd, 
and  destroyed  a balloon. on  the  ground  in  the  region  of  Puxieux  on  October  1st, 
but  these,  two  victories  were  not  confirmed  and  hence  not  credited  to  him. 

Before  the  United  States  entered  the  War,  Rickenbacker  was  widely  known- 
throughout  the  United  States  ,as  an  automobile  racer.  His  name  was  usually  asso- 
ciated with  various,  automobile  speed  contests,  and  he  won  wide  recognition  as 
a fearless  'but  prudent  driver.  When  war  was  declared  by  the  United  States, 
Rickenbacker,  at  that  time  in.  England  endeavoring  to  procure  a special  motor  for 

-318-  ‘ . V-6089,  A .C.  - , 


his  racing  car,  conceived  the  idea  pf  organizing  a squadron  of  flyers  among  his 
racing  associates,  believing  that  the'unC.f/u&l:  experience  in  their  line  of  work 
would  fit  them  particularly  for  the  war  in  the  air.  He  broached  this  subject 
upon  returning  to  this  country,  but  his  project  received  no  encouragement.  His 
desire  to  see  service  overseas  led. him  to  enlist,  on  May,  25,  1917,  as  a Sergeant, 
1st  Class,  in  the  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps,  with  the  object  of  accompany- 
ing General  Pershing  to  Prance  and  to  serve  as  his  official  chauffeur. 

Eickenbacker’  s motive  in  talcing  this  step  was  no  doubt  prompted  by  the 
thought  that  it  would  prove  a short  cut  to  service  at  the  front,  and  his  con- 
jectures untimately  shaped  themselves  in  that  channel.  After  several  months’ 
service  with  General  Pershing,  Eickenbacker  was  commissioned  a First  Lieutenant 
in  the  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps,  August  20,  1917,  and  ordered  to  the 
Aviation  Instruction  Center  at  .Issoudun,  France,  for  training.  He  remained  at 
Issoudun  until  January  3,  1918,  when  he  was  ordered  to  the  Aerial  Gunnery  School 
at  Cazeaux,  France,  for  pilot  gunnery  training.  Upon  completing  his  training  at 
Cazeaux,  he  was  temporarily  assigned  to  duty  with  a French  aero  squadron.  He 
served  at  several  stations  with  the  French  until  March  7,  1918,  when  he  was  as- 
signed to  the  94th  Aero  Squadron,  to  which  were  attached  several  other  noted 
American  pilots  who  had  served  with  the  French  air  forces. 

It  was  not  until  a month  afterwards  that  the  94th  was  equipped  with  guns 
and  airplanes.  In  the  meantime,  Eickenbacker  had  already  made  his  maiden  flight 
over  the  lines  in  company  with  the  veteran  pilot,  Eaul  Lufbery,  during  the 
course  of  which  they  had  encountered  anti-aircraft  fire  and  observed  from  a safe 
distance  the  patrolling  planes  of  the  enemy. 

His  experience  as  a racing  driver  no  doubt  served  him  in  good  stead  in  his 
aerial  combat  work.  Accustomed  to  danger,  excessive  speed  and  quick  decisions 
in  moments  of  peril,  and  skilled  in  noting  the  actions  and  estimating  the  inten- 
tions of  an  antagonist,  he  possessed  advantages  over  opponents  not  endowed  with 
his  judgment  or  experience. 

Eickenbacker’ s first  victory  over  an  antagonist  was  on  April  29,  1918,  the 
encounter  taking  place  at  an  altitude  of  some  5,000  meters  between  St.  Baussant 
and  Montsec.  After  a furious  combat  of  several  minutes,  his  gun  jammed.  Instead 
of  returning  to  his  airdrome,  however,  he  repaired  the  jam  himself  and  then  re- 
turned to  the  attack.  After  a spectacular  fight,  the  courageous  4me rican  pilot 
shot  the  rival  plane  down  in  flames.  For  his  bravery  in  action,  the  French 
military  authorities  awarded  him  the  Croix  de  Guerre  with  palm.  - 

Lady  Luck  certainly  did  nobly  by  America's  foremost  war  pilot,  for  time 
after  time  Eickenbacker  came  back  to  his  home  airdrome  from  an  air  patrol  with 
bullet  holes  through  his  airmlane-.  It  is  said  that  on  one  occasion  a bullet 
passed  through  the  fuselage  of  his  plane  less  than  3 inches  back  of  his  head. 

Eickenbacker  gained  his  fifth  victory,  the  one  entitling  him  to  the  unoffi- 
cial title  of  "Ace,"  on  May  30,  1918.  He  obtained  all  these  victories  inside  of 
one  month.  He  shared  the  first  one  with  Captain  Hall,  and  thereafter  met  and 
defeated  single-handed  two  fighting  Albatross  machines  and  two  biplace  machines 
of  the  same  type.  It  was  for  these  five  victories  that  he  received  the 
Distinguished  Service  Cross.  To  this  decoration  were  subsequently  added  nine 
Palms. 

Most  of  Eickenbacker* s subsequent  victories  were  won  at  altitudes  of  three 
miles  cr  so.  He  was  accustomed  to  going  out  on  early  morning  patrols,  and  he 
sought  altitudes  where  the  cold  is  very  intense  and  consequently  very  trying 
on  one’s  physical  senses.  Shortly  after  his  fifth  victory,  he  was  ordered  to 
the  hospital  in  Paris  to  recover  from  a fever  which  for  a time  threatened  to 
put  him  out  of  the  war  altogether. 

When  the  American  fighting  squadrons  were  transferred  to  an  airdrome  25 
miles  below  Chateau- Thierry  to  be  in  a position  for  the  great  American  advance 
at  that  point,  and  the  First  Pursuit  Grou-p,  connrising  the  27th,  94th,  95th  and 
147th  Squadrons,  were  about  to  be  furnished  the  new  French  Spads  to  replace  the 
old  ITieuport  machines,  Eickenbacker,  though  hardly  recovered  from  his  illness, 
stuck  close  to  the  Spad  depot  in  Paris  until  the  first  of  these  new  airplanes^ 
was  ready  for  the  Americans.  Seizing  it  when  the  mechanics  pronounced  it  fit, 
he  flew  it  to  his  new  airdrome  early  in  July.  He  was  made  Flight  Leader  and 
carried  out  his  customary  patrols  for  a few  days,  only  to  be  bested  once  more  by 
fever,  which  necessitated  his  return  to  the  hospital.  It  was  not  until  September 
14th  that  Eickenbacker  was  credited  with  his  next  victory.  Thus,  sickness  depriv- 
ed him  of  more  than  three  months’  service  at  the  front  lines,  despite  which 
handicap  he  gained  seven  more  victories  than  his  nearest  rival  and  illustrous 
comrade-in-arms,  the  late  Lieut.  Frank  Luke , who  was  credited  with  eighteen 

-319-  V-6089 , A. C. 


victories.  Daring  two  weeks  in  September,  he  shot  down  six  more  antagonists 
and  fourteen  more  in  the  month  of  October. 

Rickenbacker  was  assigned" to  the  command  of  the  94th  Squadron  on  September 
24th,  in  the  meantime  having  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Contain.  It  has  been 
said  that  in  his  personal  diary,  recording  the  fact  that  the  94th  was  placed 
under  his. charge,  he  stated:  "Just  been  promoted  to  command  of  94  Souadron.  I 
shall  never  ask  any  pilot  to  go  on  a mission  that  I won’t  go  on.  I must  work 
now  harder  than  I did  before."  And  he  certainly  backed  up  to  the  fullest  extent 
the  underscored  assertion,  for  18  'of  his  victories  were  achieved  after  he  as- 
sumed command  of  the  94th.  The  morning  following  his  new  assignment,  in  lead- 
ing his  patrol  across  the  lines,  he  achieved  his  first  double  victory  when  he 
shot  down  two  of  his  adversaries  in  a single  fight.  Two  L.V.G.  two-seater  planes 
were  evidently  bent  bn  photographing  the  American  lines,  and  five  Fokkers  were 
above  and  behind  them  acting  as  protection. 

Rickenbacker,  climbing  for  the  sun  as  rapidly  as  his  plane  was  able  to, 
discovered  that  he  had  not  attracted  their  attention,  and  when  he  was  well  in 
their  rear  and  far  above  them  he  nosed  down  and  made  a bee  line  for  the  nearest 
Fokker . "He  did  not  see  me  until  it  was  too  late,"  Rickenbacker  stated  in  re- 
lating the  story  of  this  fight,  for tfiich  he  was  awarded  the  Medal  of  Honor,  and 
referring  to  the  pilot  of  the  Fokker  he  attacked.  He  then  added 

"I  had  him  exactly  in  my  sights  when  I pulled  both  triggers  for  a long- 
burst,  He  made  a startled  attempt  to  pull  away,  but  bullets  were  already  rip- 
ping through  his  plane.  He  must  have  been  killed  instantly.  His  machine  fell 
away  and  crashed  just  south  of  Stain. 

I intended  to  zoom  up  and  protect  myself  against  the  other  .four  Fokkers. 

But  when  I saw  they  were  dumbfounded  at  this  unexpected  attack,  I changed  my 
tactics  and  .plunged  straight  on  through  them  to  attack 'the  photographing  . 
machines  ahead. 

The  two-seaters  had  seen  the  fight  and  already  had  their  noses  pointed 
down  to  'get  more  speed  back  to  Germany.  I looked  over  my  shoulder  and  saw  that 
the  Fokkers  were  milling  about,  undecided  what  to  do. 

The  two  L.V.G. ’s  began  to  draw  apart.  Both  observers  in  the  rear  seats 
were  firing  at  me,  but  the  range  was  too  far  for  accuracy.  I dove  more  steeply, 
passed  out  of  range  under  the  nearest  machine,  and  zoomed  up  quickly  from  be- 
neath him.  But  it  was  not  going  to  be  so  easy! 

The  pilot  suddenly  kicked  his  tail  around,  giving  his  gunner  a good  view  of 
me  below;  and  in  the  meantime  the  other  L.V.G.  had  turned  on  me  and  I saw  his 
tracer  bullets  go  streaking  past  my  nose.  I zoomed  up  diagonally  out  of  range, 
made  a reversement,  and  as  the  Fokkers  still  held  off  I came  back  straight  at 
the  first  L.V.G. , firing  as  I came. 

Several  times  I repeated  this  maneuver,  but  he  wouldn’t  drop.  The  -Fokkers 
kept  waiting  for  me  to  go  up  to  them.  All  this  time  we  were- drifting  deeper 
back  into  Germany.  I decided  upon  one  bold  attack  from  near  at'  hand  and  if  this 
failed  I would  get  back  to  my  own  lines  before  the  Fokkers  descended  on  me. 

The  two  L.V.G. ’s  were  flying  parallel  to  each  other  not  fifty  feet  apart. 
Dropping  into  a side  slip  until  I had  one  of  them  between  me  and  the  other,  I 
straightened  out  at  the  right  instant  and  leveled  my  Spad  directly  at  the  near- 
est one  and  began  firing.  ‘ 

He  passed  directly  through  my  line  of  fire  and  just  as  I was  forced  to 
swerve  aside  and- cease  firing  I had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  him  burst  into 
flames.  Turning  over  and  over  as-  he  fell,  the  L.V.G.  started  a blazing; path  to 
earth  just  as  the  four  Fokkers  came  tearing  down  for  the  rescue.  I fed  in  the 
gas  and- streaked  it  for  home. 

The  Fokker  and  the  L.V.G.  both  fell  inside  of  ten  minutes.  It  was  my. first 
double-header,  and  I was  glad  it  had  come  this  morning  for  the  good  effect  it 
would  have  on  the  other  pilots." 

Following  this  double  victory,  Rickenbacker  put  in  more  flying  time  over  the 
enemy  lines  than  any  of  the  other  pilots  under  him.  He  was  a great  believer  in 
the  efficacy  of  surprise  attacks,  and  in  launching  these  he  took  advantage  of 
the  -protection  afforded  him  by  the  blinding  glare  of  the  sun,  the  shelter  of 
clouds,  or  moments  of  inattention  oh  the  part  of  his  quarry.  It  was  due  to  these 
precautionary  methods  he  pursued  in  his  aerial  combat  work  which  were  responsible 
for  his  achieving  more  victories  than  any  other  American  pilot  and. for  his  living 
today  to  be  able  to  tell  of  them. 

Although  Rickenbacker  is  generally  known  by  his  war-time  title  of  Captain, 
he  now  holds  a commission  as' a Colonel  in  the  Specialist  Reserve  Corps. 

-320-  V-6089,  A.C.? 


THE  FIRST  AMERICAN  VI  CTO  HI 

Either  one  of  two  Americans  enjoys  the  distinction  of  having,  while  wear- 
ing the  uniform  of . the  URiited  States  Army,  Drought  down  the  first  enemy  air- 
plane in  the  World  War.  One's,  record  is  not  confirmed  officially,  while  the 
other's  was  witnessed,  confirmed  and  made  of  record. 

On  February  5,  1918,  Lieut.  Stephen  W.  Thompson,  formerly  of  West  Plains, 
Mo.,  was  a 'graduating  student  of  the  1st  Scuadron  Gunnery  School  at  Cazeaux, 
Erance.  On  that  particular  morning  the  Commander  of  the  123rd  French  Breguef 
Squadron,  operating*  near  Neuf chateau,  called  Major  Ralph  Royce,  Commanding 
the  1st  Squadron,  and  asked  him  if  he  could  spare  a few  of  his  observers,  as 
the  French  Squadron  was  all  out  of  observers,  with  no  replacements  in  sight. 
Lieut.  Thompson  and  a Lieut.,  R. II.  Whitner,  of  Atlanta,  Ga.  , were  the  first 
two  Americans  sent  over  by  Major  Royce. 

While  on  their  way  over  the  lines,  the  flight  was  attacked  by  a number 
of  German  planes  but  managed  to  fight  its  way  clear.  After  dropwing  their 
bombs  on  Saar burg,  they  were  again  attacked.  This  time,  Lieut.  Thompson, 
operating  the  rear  guns  on  his  Breguet,  brought  one  of  the  enemy  down.  The 
statements  of  the  rest  of  the  pilots  in  the  flight  bore  him  out,  but  this 
victory  was  not  confirmed.  Due  to  earlier  abuses  of  confirmations  on 
"counting  coup,"  it  became  the  custom  not  to  confirm  victories  unless  they  had 
been  witnessed  by  someone’ from  an  organization  other  than  that  of  the  victor. 
Thompson  later  flew  with  the  12th  Scruadron  and  was  officially  credited  with 
having  brought  down  two  enemy  airplanes  on  July  28,  1918. 

To  Lieut.  Allan  Winslow,  of  River  Forest,  111. , goes  the  honor  of  the 
first  official  victory  by  a member  of  the  United  States  Air  Service.  On 
Sunday  morning,  April  14,  1918,  he  and  Lieut.  Douglas  Campbell,  both  members 
of  the  94th  Aero  Squadron,  were  on  "alerte,"  playing  cards  and  waiting  for  a 
call.  At  8:45  a.m.  , a telephone  call  came  in  stating  that  tv/o  enemy  airplanes 
were  about  2,000  meters  over  the  city,  about  a mile  from  the  airdrome. 

Winslow  and  Campbell  took  off  immediately  in  pursuit  and,  after  a brief 
combat,  Winslow  brought  dorm  one  of  the  airplanes  out  of  control.  It  crashed 
alongside  the  airdrome  in  full  view  of  thousands  of  spectators.  A moment 
later,  as  Winslow  climbed  to  the  aid  of  Campbell,  the  latter  brou;ht  down  the 
other  enemy  airplane  which  crashed  and  burst  into  flames  on  the  other  side  of 
the  airdrome.  Both  combats  took  place  about  1,000  feet  above  the  ground. 

The  pilot  of  the  plane  shot  down  by  Winslow  was  only  slightly  scratched, 
but  the  one  shot  down  by  Campbell  was  severely  injured.  Winslow  was  later 
shot  down  in  Germany  and  made  a prisoner.  He  lost  his  arm  as  a result  of 
the  crash.' 

Winslow  was  one  of  the  many  ex-members  of  the  94th  Squadron  present  at 
Bolling  Field,  D.C.,  to  see  his  buddy,  Capt.  "Eddie"  Rickenbacker , presented 
with  the  Congressional  Medal  of  Honor  on  November  6,  1930, 

oOo- — 


FRANK  LUKE 

The  Congressional  Medal  of  Honor  has  been  awarded  to  only  two  American 
flyers  for  their  services  in  the  defense  of  their  country  during  the  World 
War.  Captain  Edward  V.  Rickenbacker,  of  course,  is  the  recipient  of  one. 

The  other  was  given  posthumously  to  Frank  Luke,  known  as  "The  Balloon  Buster 
of  Arizona. " 

A member  of  the  27th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Luke's  forte  was  balloons.  He 
was  credited  with  18  official  victories,  4 airplanes  and  14  balloons.  As 
dramatic  as  were  the  many  combats  and  incidents  surrounding  his  victories,  the 
circumstances  of  his  death  were  no  less  so,  and  equally  as  stirring  were  the 
circumstances  connected  with  the  finding  of  his  body  and  its  identification  as 
Frank  Luke,  of  Phoenix,  Arizona,  ex-2nd  Lieut,  of  the  27th  Squadron. 

Some  weeks  after  the  Armistice,  an  American  officer,  ex-prisoner  at  a 
German  prison  camp  and  making  his  way  back  to  his  old  organization  in  France, 
passed  through  the  little  village  of  Murvaux  (Meuse).  There  he  became  inter- 
ested in  the  story  of  the  villagers  concerning  an  American  flyer  who  lay  buried 
in  the  village  cemetery.  Units  of  the  Graves  Registration  Service  were  work- 
ing nearby,  and  he  called  this  matter  to  the  attention  of  a Captain  McCormick, 
G.R.S.,  who  turned  the  investigation  over  to  Captain  Chester  E.  Staten,  in 
command  of  the  Graves  Registration  Service  in  Neufchatel  Area  No.  1. 

-321-  V-6089,  A.C. 


Oil  January.  3,  1919,  Captain  Staten  sent  the  following  letter  to  the  Chief 
of  Air  Service,  A.E.F.: 

"1.  Units  of  this  Service  have  located  the  grave  of  an  unknown  aviator, 
killed  on  Sunday,  September  29,  1918,  in  the  village  of  Murvaux  (Meuse). 

2.  From  the  inspection  of  the  grave  and  interview  held  with  inhabitants 
of  this  town,  the  following  information  was  learned  in  regard  to  the  heroism 
of  this  aviator.  Any  assistance  you  can  furnish  us  that  will  enable  us  to 
properly  identify  this  body  w.ill  be  greatly  appreciated.  The  following  might 
assist  you  in  gaining  for  us  this  information:  Reported  as  having  light  hair, 
young,  of  medium  height  and  heavy  stature.  Reported  by  the  inhabitants  that 
previous  to  being  killed  this  man  had  brought  down  three  German  balloons,  two 
German  planes  and  dropped  hand  bombs  killing  eleven  German  soldiers  and  wound- 
ing a number  of  others.  He  was  wounded  himself  in  the  shoulder  and  evidently 
had  to  make  a forced  landing,  and  upon  landing  opened  fire  with  his  automatic 
and  .fought  until  he  was  killed.  It  is  also  reported  that  the  Germans  took  his 
shoes,  leggins  and  money,  leaving  his  grave  unmarked," 

After  this  letter  was  forwarded,  and  upon  a more  careful  examination  of 
the  -exhumed  body,  an  Elgin  watch  #$0225566  was  found  on  his  wrist,  evidently 
having  been  overlooked  by  the  enemy  troops  who  were  in  at  the  finish.  This 
clue,  however,  proved  of  no  assistance  in  the  identification  of  the  hero  who 
had  slept  those  months  in  the  cemetery  of  Murvaux. 

It  was  learned,  however,  that  a Lieut.  Luke  had  dropped  a note  to  an 
American  Balloon  Company  on  the  front  lines,  stating  that  he  was  going,  to 
finish  off  those  balloons  which  the  people  of  Murvaux  saw  the  American  airman 
bring  down.  The  note  had  been  dropped  on  September  29,  1918,  and  was  signed 
"Luke."  This,  together  with  the  fact  that  Luke  had  been  reported  as  missing 
about  that  date  and  was  the  same  size  and  baild  as  described  by  the  villagers, 
positively  identified  the  body  as  that  of  the  lad  who  was  afterwards  known  as 
the  "Balloon  Buster,"  and  who,  after  the  departure  of  the  enemy  from  the 
village,  was  buried  by  the  Frenchman  who  told  the  story  to  the  American 
officers. 

The  morning  report  of  the  27th  Squadron  reported  Lieut.  Luke  as  "Missing 
in  Action"  as  of  September  30th,  but  this  report  was  officially  changed  upon 
later  investigation,  as  his  death  was  officially  fixed  as  of  Sunday,  September 
29-th . 

Luke  was  later  buried,  on  ITovember  1,  1921,  in  the  Meuse-Argonne  American 
Cemetery  Ho.  1232  at  Romagne-  sous- Mont  famcon , Meuse,  France,  in  grave  Ho.  13, 
Block  A,  Row  26. 

The  Congressional  Medal  of  Honor  was  posthumously  awarded  him  on  April 
11,  1919,  being  announced  in  General  Orders  Ho.  59,  War  Department,  May  3,1919. 

— oOo 

PURS  LITERS  ATTEND  LEGIOH  C0H7EMTI0U  IU  BOSTOH 
By  the  Hews  Letter  Correspondent 

A composite  Pursuit  Squadron  of  the  First  Pursuit  Group,  Self ridge  Field, 
Mt.  Clemens,  Mich.,  under  the-  command  of  Captain  Ross  G.  Hoyt,  Air  Corps, 
took  off'  from  the  home  station  on  October  5th  enroute  to  Boston  and  the 
American  Legion  Convention  held  in  that  city.  One  Ford  tri-motor  Transport 
followed  shortly  afterwards  with  seven  mechanics  and  pilot. 

The  airmen  were  under  orders  to  stop  at  Buffalo  for  gas  and  then  fly 
direct  to  Boston.  Due  to  the  fact  that  the  squadron  was  composed  of  three  dif- 
ferent types  of  ships,  all  of  different  cruising  speeds,  the  Group  Commander 
had  ordered  a rendezvous  problem  to  take  place  on  the  trip  between  Selfridge 
and  Buffalo.  . The  six  P-1*  s , led  by  Captain  Hoyt,  took  one  route; : the  six 
P-12B*s,  led  by  Lieut.  Ballard,  took  another  route,  and  the  six  new  P-12C*s, 
led  by  Lieut.  Moor,  took  still  another  route,  all  converging  at  Buffalo  for  a 
rendezvous  over  the  water  front.  The  problem  worked  out  very  successfully, and 
the  squadron  reformed  at  the  appointed  time  at  Buffalo. 

Buffalo,  H.Y. , is  a friendly  city  to  the  Air  Corps,  and  all  pilots  from 
Selfridge  enjoy  stopping  there  for  service  on  cross-country  trips.  This  day 
Buffalo  seemed  to  be  even  more  enthusiastic  than  usual , and  when  the  officers 
climbed  out  of  their  ships  on  the  line  at  the  Municipal  Airport,  they  found  a 
smiling  crowd  of  about  3,000  people  there  to  greet  them.  We  reweat  - it  is  a 
pleasure  to  land  at  Buffalo  Municipal  Airport  always.  The  ships  were  soon 
gassed,  and  the  squadron  took  off  and  flew  as  a squadron  direct  to  Boston  in 

-322-  V-6089 , A. C . 


just  three  hours  and  thirty  minutes. 

The  American  Legion  had' .'agreed  to  pay  all  ^expenses  of  the  squadron,'  and 
the  pilots  were  assigned  quarters  in  a large  room  in  the  Bradford  Hotel.  The 
room  : captained- :about  75 'Army  , xo-tsv  and  .was  rather  suggestive-  of.  the  old  Cadet 
days  at  Kelly In.  spite'.  of  the- ’Army  cots,  everyone  managed  to  settle  down  and 
get  a l-i’ttlevres't'-  before " /iaa**  the  Convention.  . It  was  the  consensus  of 
opinion  ajnong.;the  pilots  from.:  Self  ridge  that  sedate  old  Boston  was  truly  waked 
up  hy  the  LegiohairCs..  : 

. .Each  da:y:  of  the  Convention  Captain  Hoyt  led  the  Spuadron  in  a flight  or 
two  over-  the  city,  and  the  .'.Municipal  Airport.  The  "antics"  of  the  little 
Pursuit,  ships beamed  to  delight  the  Bostonians  and  the  Legionaires  as  well.  It 
seems- they,  like' lots  of  noise  over  in  that  part  of  the  country. 

A rather  unfortunate,  crecurrence  prevented  the  smoke  screen  demonstration 
which  was  to  have  been  given' hy  Lieut.  McGuire  in  a P-1.  It  happened  that 
there:  was  too  much  pressure  in  the  chemical  tank  and  the  cap  was  blown  off  the 
moment  it  was  loosened.  Of  course,  there  was  a very  effective  smoke  screen 
for  several  minutes  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Army  hangars,  but  the  effect  was 
lost  as  far  as  the-  city  was  concerned. 

The  First  Pursuit  Group  enjoyed  the.  honor  of  greeting  President  Hoover, 
Ex-President.  Coolidge  and  Secretary  of  War -Hurley  during  their  visits  in 
Boston,  and  gave  them  a salute  from  squadron:  format  ion  over  the  city. 

The  Convention  grew  to  a natural  ending,;  but  old  man  weather  seemed  to 
want  to  keep  the  -pilots  in  Boston  and  wouldn’  t let  them  leave  until  two  days 
after  the;  designated  -time.  The  sctuadron  bleared  from  Boston  oh  the  morning 
of  October  10th:  and  made  a rather  uneventful  flight  to  Self ridge  via  Buffalo. 
It  was  a.  good  trip,  .but  everyone  was  glad;  to  get  home, 
i.-.-v;  ■ . •--.4-o.Qo- — 

JAPANESE-  FLYER  GETS  A TASTE  OF  BLIND  FLYING  . 

One  of  the  prominent  .visitors  at, Kelly  Field  recently  was  Lieut.  Yoshito 
Koboyashi,  who  has  been  flying  for  six  years  in  the  Imperial  Japanese  Navy. 

In  addition  to.  inspecting  the  routine  flying,  training  in  the  various  sections, 
he  was  taken-  to  the  miniature  range  and  'given  a comprehensive  talk  on  the-  Ob- 
servation and  Bombardment  features  of ' -that  work.  He  evinced  great  interest  in 
the  experimental  work  being  carried  on  by  Major  Ocker  in  blind  flying.  Major 
Ocke-r  put  him.:. in -the  whirling  chaif.  and,  went ..  through/  the  whole  curriculum  with 
him  with,  his  eyes  closed,  and  open;  and^rthen.  let.  him- look  into  the -device  con- 
nected up  with  the  turn  indicator,  after  which  he  was  convinced  that  the  in- 
strument is  always  right..  - wc  . 

.'..'The  Japanese  visitor  remarked  that-;:he  could  go  back  to  Japan  with,  con- 
siderable more  information  about  blind-  flying  than  he  had  heretofore  had. 

— oOo — — 


PURSUITSRS  ATTEND  LUNCHEON: FOR  RETIRING  ARMY  CHIEF 

The  First  Pursuit  Group,  Self ridgelField, enjoyed  an  interesting  ■ trip  to 
Chicago  on  October  22nd,  for  the  purpose  of  attending  a farewell  luncheon 
given  by  the  Sixth  Corps  Area  to  the  retiring  Chief  of  Staff.,  General  Charles 
P.  Summerall.  A review  was-  flown  for  the  General  preceding  the  luncheon.  The 
Grou-p  consisted  of  Major. Brower,  Group  Commander,  leading  a six- ship  Headquar- 
ters flight  of  P-12C*  s,  the  17th  Squadron  with  twelve .'■P-12C’ s , the  94th  Squad- 
ron with  twelve  P~12B’s,  the  27th  Squadron  .'with  twelve  P-1C’ s,  and  last , but 
not  least,  a C-9.  Transport  from  the  :-57th-.  Service  Squadron. 

A rendezvous  was .established -over  the: Municipal- Airport  at  Chicago  with 
the  15th  Observation  Squadron-.  Everything  worked  out  fine-,  all  units  of  the 
Group  arriving  at  the  rendezvous  uoint  with  their  usual  precision.  After  tlie 
review,  which-  was  flown  past  the  Stevens- Hotel,  the  17th  Squadron  put  on  an 
exhibition  format, fen  over  the  Loop.  General  SUmme rail  seemed  very  pleased, 
and  so  informed  all  members -".of  the  Groupfat .-  the ,.  luncheon  given  in  his  honor. 

•The  Air  Corps. .has  two  of  its.  vergr:  best  friends -located  in -Chicago, friends 
in  the  highest  sense  of  • the  --.word namely y-J Judge  K.M;;-.Laiidis , the  baseball  czar, 
and  his  son,  Major  Reed. M.  Landis*  Air  Carps'- Reserve.::  These  two  were  hosts 
to  the  personnel  of  • the.  Chicago.- ifiigfit  I bn  the  .evening  of  the-  22nd  at  a dinner 
that  will  long  be  remembered  by  .all:,  those  who  had  the  .good  fortune  to  be  there. 

: -325-  A wl  Y-.6089  , A.  C-. 


MEMBERS  OF  94TH  SQUADRON  WEAR  FRENCH  DECORATION 

Here  and  there  at  Self ridge  Field,  Mt.  Clemens,  Mich.,  the  home  of  the  1st 
Pursuit  Group,  Air  Corps,  the  casual  observer  notes  a uniform  highly  decorated 
with  green  and  red  braid.  The  French  Fourragere  for  two  citations  is  being 
worn  by  members  of  the  94th  Pursuit  Squadron, ■ formerly  the  103rd  Pursuit  Squad- 
ron. "It  is  to  our  knowledge,"  asserts  the  News  Letter  Correspondent,  "the 
only  American  Squadron  to  receive  the  citation.  This  Squadron  for  its  action 
during  the  World  War  brought  honor  to  itself  and  the  1st  Pursuit  Group.  It  is 
befitting  that  the  bravery  and  deeds  of  those  who  won-  them  be  remembered  by. 
the  present  Squadron." 

0O0 

36TH  PURSUIT  SQUADRON  ORGANIZED  AT  SELFRIDGE  FIELD 

The  36th  Pursuit  Squadron  was  organized  at  Selfridge  Field',  Mich.  , on 
October  2nd  and  placed  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Marion  L.  Elliott,  Air  Cores. 

This  Squadron  of  the  8th  Pursuit  Group  will  be  stationed  at  Langley  Field, 
Va.  The  officer  and  the  enlisted  personnel  of  the  36th  was  obtained  by  trans- 
fer from  the  various  squadrons  of  the  1st  Pursuit  Group.  The'  new.  Squadron  ap- 
pears to  be  well  on  its  way  towards  a ranking  as  one  of  the  crack  organizations 
of  the  Air  Corps,  as  every  man  was  personally  selected  by  the  commanding  offi- 
cer because  of  some  special  qualification. 

In  keeping  with  the  high  standard  of  the  personnel,  the  36th  is  being 
equipped  with  the  new  P-6  Pursuit  plane,  the  latest  and  fastest  fighter  Uncle 
Sam  possesses.  The  1st  Pursuit  Group,  long  -supreme'  in  the  air,  will  have  to 
look  to  its  laurels  as  the  new  Squadron  goes  into  action. 

■'5—  oOo 

DEATH  OF  LIEUT.  WM.  CALDWELL 

The  news  of  Lieut.  William  W.  Caldwell’s  crash  and  death  at  Lookout,  Wyo., 
October  16th,  who  in  company  with  Lieut.  I. A.  Woodring  was  enroute  to  New  York, 
carrying  the  Japanese  ratification  of  the  London  Naval  Treaty,  was  a severe 
blow  to  the  personnel  of  Rockwell  Field. 

Accompanying  Lieut..  Woodring,  Lieut.  Caldwell  took  off  from  Boise,  Idaho, 
October  15th,  at  10:19  a.m. , Mountain  Standard  Time,  for  Cheyenne,  Wyoming. 
Severe  snow  storms  \7ere  encountered,  and  in  the  midst  of  one  the  two  officers 
became  separated.  Lieut.  Woodring  landed  west  of  Laramie , Wyoming,  and  waited 
for  the  storm  to  abate.  During  a lull  in  the  storm,  he  took  off  and  reached 
Laramie,  where  he  was  again  forced  down  due’  to  the  fury  of  the  elements. 

Another  lull  in  the  weather  allowed  Lieut.  Woodring  to  reach  Cheyenne,  where 
he  waited  for  Lieut.  Caldwell.  After  a complete  check  had  been  made  and  ample 
time  had  passed  to  allow  the  pilot  to  come  in,  Lieut.  Caldwell  was  listed  as 
missing,  and  military  and  civilian  authorities  were  notified. 

The  Boeing  Air  Transport  Company  pressed  all  of  their  facilities  into 
service  and  a search  was  inaugurated.  Early  on  the  morning  of  October  16th, 
Lieut.  Caldwell’s  wrecked  plane  was  located,  and  his  body  was  in  the  coclcoit- 
of  his  ship.  Although  not  many  of  the  details  concerning  the  crash  are  known, 
Rockwell  Field  officers  are  of  the  opinion  that,  blinded  by  snow  and  sleet, 
the  pilot  became  confused  and  flew  his  ship  into  the  ground. 

Lieuts.  Woodring  and  Caldwell , both  of  the  95th  Pursuit  Squadron,  left 
Rockwell  Field  on  October  13th  for  Vancouver,  B.C.,  where  they  were  given  cus- 
tody of  the  Japanese  ratification  of  the  London  Naval  Treaty.  Unon  these  of- 
ficers rested  the  hazardous  and  strenuous  task  of  delivering  this  important 
document  to  Mr,  Pierre  Boal  in  New  York  City,  In  turn,  Mr.  Boal,  advisor  to 
the  American  delegates  to  the  League  of  Nations  Commission  sessions  , was  to 
carry  the  document  across  the  Atlantic  on  board  the  S.S.  LEVIATHAN  for  delivery 
to  the  British  Capital.  There  was  no  time  to  be  lost,  and  the  two  pilots  were 
pushing  through  in  the  face  of  insurmountable  barriers. 

The  7th  Bombardment  Group  was  very  proud  to  be  assigned  such  an  important 
mission,  but  is  very  depressed  over  the  .tragic  accident  linked  with  the  under- 
taking. The  flight  itself  will  go  down  in  history  as  the  first  time  the  Air 
CorxDs  has  played  such  a vital  part  in  an  international  situation. 

Lieut.  Caldwell’s  home  was  in  Oakland,  Calif.  He  was  born  at  Lewistown, 
Idaho,  April  1,  1904;  attended  the  University  of  California  from  1923  to  1926, 

-324-  V-6089 , A.C, 


and  entered  the  Primary  Plying  School  at  March  P-ield  in  October,  1928.  He  grad- 
uated from  the  Advanced  Plying'  School,  Kelly  field,  October  12,  1929,  and  was 
assigned  to  the  95th  Pursuit  Sauadron,  Rockwell  Field,  where  he  has.  been,  on 
active  duty  as  a Reserve  officer  to  date. of  his  death. 

oOo — - 

GRADUATION  EXERCISES  FOR  ADVANCED  FLYING  SCHOOL  STUDENTS 

Graduation  exercises  for  the  latest  class  to  graduate  from  the  Advanced 
Flying  School,  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  were  held  in  the  War  Department  Theatre  at 
the  field  and  were  well  attended. 

Brigadier- General  Charles  H.  Danforth,  Commanding  General  of  the  Air 
Corps  Training  Center,  made  the  address  to  the  class.  He  asked  them  to  main- 
tain the  high  standards  of  the  Army  Air  Corps  in  taking  up  their  duties  as 
military  pilots , and  to  keep  in  mind  the  contribution  the  Army  has  made  to  the 
progress  of  aviation. 

"The  prestige  of  Kelly  Field  is  second  to  none,  and  the  graduates 
of  this  School  who  have  gone  out  before  you  have  made  reputations  for 
themselves  and  for  the  Service,  both  in  the  military*-  and  commercial  field 
of  aviation,"  General  Danforth  said.  "Do  the  job  given  you  to  the  best 
of  your  ability,  and  you  will  be  living  up  to  the  best  ideals  of  the  Air 
Corps." 

In  citing  the  many  contributions  made  by. the  Army  to  aviation,  General 
Danforth  pointed  out  that  the  most'  important  recent ^development  in  the  field 
of  aviation  - blind  flying  - is  the  result  of  work  carried  on  in  the  Army  Air 
Corps  by  two  local  officers,  Major  W.C.  Ocker , pioneer  in  the  field  of  blind 
flying,  and  Lieut.  C.J.  Crane,  inventor  of  a new  device  to  simplify  flying  in 
fog. 

General  Danforth  presented  certificates  of  graduation  to  the  class  of  42 
officers  and  43  Flying  Cadets,  and  Major  Frederick  L.  Martin,  Commandant  of  the 
Advanced  Flying  School,  presented  the  Cadets  commissions  as  2nd  Lieutenants  in 
the  Air  Corps  Reserve.  Major  Clarence  L.  Tinker,  Assistant  Commandant  of  the 
School,  presented  the  wings  to  all’  except  two  of  the  graduates.  Major  F.H. 
Poole,  formerly  Commandant  of  the  School  of  Aviation  Medicine,-  pinned  the  wings 
on  his  son,  2nd  Lieut.  John  R.  Poole,  and  Colonel  I.G.  Stone,, of  Fort  Sam 
Houston,  pinned  the  wings  on  his  son,  2nd  Lieut.  John  N.;  Stone. 

A new  class  of  students  began  training  at  Kelly  Field  on  October  20th, 
this  class  consisting  of  31  Flying  Cadets  and, two  officers  from  Brooks  Field, 
and  29  Cadets  and  three  officers  from  March  Field,  Calif. 

oOo— - 

JOHN  L.  MITCHELL  TROPHY  ’RACE  TO  BE  HELD  AT  SELFRIDGE  FIELD 

Self ridge  Field,  Mt.  Clemens  , Mich. , will  be  the  scene  of  the.  John  L. 
Mitchell  Trophy  Race  on  Saturday, ‘November  22nd,  This  speed  contest  for  Pursuit 
planes  is  an  annual  event  and  is  -participated  in  annually  by  members  of  the  1st 
Pursuit  Group  of,  the  Air  Corps,  the"  prize  being  the  John. VL,.  Mitchell  Trophy, 
which, was  donated  by  Colonel  William,  Mitchell,  formerly  of  the  Air  Corps,  in 
memory  of  his  brother  who  was  killed  during  the  World  War. 

The  winner  of  this  speed  contest  retains  the.  Trophy  in  his  possession  un- 
til the. victor  of  the  next  year's  event  is  announced.  Thus  far,  eight  contests 
for  this  Trophy  have  been  held,  the  first  one  being  staged  in  1922* at  Detroit, 
Mich.,  and  won  by  Lieut.  D.F.  Stace  with  an  average  speed  of  148  miles  an  hour. 
The  following  year.,  during  the  International  Air  Races  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  the 
late  Capt.  Burt  F,  Skeel  carried  off  the  honors,  averaging  156  miles  per  hour. 

The  high  speed  record  for  this  annual  classic  was  established  in  1924  dur- 
ing the  Races  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  by  the  late  Lieut.,  Cyrus.  Bettis,  who  averaged 
175. 43. miles  per  hour.  Incidentally,  Lieut. . Bettis'  name  is  still  associated 
with  the  world's  record  for  speed  for  airplanes  over  a closed  course  of; 100 
kilometers,  he  having  averaged  249.342,  miles  per  hour  in  the  Pulitzer  Trophy 
Race  at  Mitchel  Field,  N. Y. , . in:  1925.  In  that  year.  Lieut.  Thomas  K.  Matthews 
won  the  Mitchell  Trophy  with  an  average  sneed  of  161.5  miles  per  hour. 

In  1926,  when  the  Races  were  held  at  Philadelphia,  Lieut.  L.G.  .Ellicott  won 
the  Trophy,  averaging  160.43  m.p.h. . .In  1927,  1928  and  1929,  when  the  Races  were 
held  at  Spokane,  Wash.;  Los  Angeles,  Calif,  and  Cleveland,  Ohio,  respectively, 
Lieuts.  W.L.  Cornelius,  B.H.  Lawson  and  Paul  B.  Wurtsmith  were  the  respective 

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winners.  The  first-named  officer  averaged  158.412  miles  per  hour,  Lieut. 

Lawson,  154.743,  and  Lieut.  Wurt smith,  152.17miles  per  hour. 

0O0 

MAM  RESERVE  OFFICERS  ON  ACTIVE  DUTY  TOURS  AT  SAN  ANTONIO  DEPOT 

During  the  past  summer  and  fall,  an  unusual,  number  of  Reserve  officers 
availed  themselves  of  14-day  active  duty  training  periods  at  the  San  Antonio 
Air  Depot,  Duncan  Field,  Texas,  these  "being  — * 

Major  Phillip  P,  Cook,  of  Paris,  Texas,  industrial  engineer  with  the 
Middle  West  Utilities  Company  of  Chicago,  111. 

1st  Lieut.  Lamar  G.  Seeligson,  prominent  attorney  of  San  Antonio,  Texas. 

1st  Lieut s.  J.L.  McDowell  and  A.T.  Economy,  of  the  Civil  Sex*vice  at  Depot. 

Capt.-  Thomas  H.  Jarrell,  Vice  President  of  the  Commonwealth  Bank  and 
Trust  Company,  of  San  Antonio. 

1st  Lieut.  Fred  D.  Wood,  of  Civil  Service  at  San  Antonio  Depot. 

1st  Lieut.  Josef  T.  Allen,  of  the  firm  of  Ernst  & Ernst,  C.P.A. , Dallas. 

1st  Lieut.  Edward  R.  Stanley,  Associate  Professor  of  Civil  Engineering, 

A.  & M.  College,  Stillwater,  Okla. 

Major  George  R.  Gaenslen,  City  Sewer  Engineer  of  San  Antonio. 

Major  Frank  A.  Vestal,  with  Helium  Plant,  Bureau  of  Mines,  Amarillo,  Tex. 

2nd  Lieut.  Edwin  F,  Schneider,  Civil  Service  at  San  Antonio  Depot, 

0O0— 

MASON  M.  PATRICK  TROPHY  RACE  TO  BE  HELD  AT  GALVESTON,  TEXAS. 

The  annual  contest  for  the  Mason  M,  Patrick  Trophy  will  be  held  on  Satur- 
day, November  22nd,  at  Fort  Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas,  the  station  of  the  3rd 
Attack  Group  of  the  Air  Corps.  This  Trophy  was  presented  by  the  Assistant 
Secretary  of  War,  the  Hon.  F.  Trubee  Davison,  to  be  competed  for  annually  by 
the  commissioned  pilots  of  the  Third  Attack  Group.  The  purpose  of  giving  the 
Trophy  the  name  it  bears  was  to  perpetuate  the  name  of  General  Mason  M. Pat rick, 
formerly  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps. 

The  first  race  for. this  Trophy  was  held  at  Los  Angeles,  Calif.,  in  1928, 
and  was  won  by  Lieut.  G.R.  Acheson,  who  averaged  a speed  of  139.5  miles  -per 
hour.  The  second  contest  was  staged  last  year  during  the  Air  Races  at  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  the  winner  being  Lieut.  Ivan  M.  Palmer,  who  averaged  140.2  miles  an  hour. 

Nineteen  pilots  of  the  Third  Attack  Group  in  the  regulation  Attack  plane, 
the  A-3B,  will  compete  in  the  speed  event,  which  is  open  to  members  of  the 'Third 
Attack  Group  only.  The  course  over  which  the  Attack  nilots  will  fly  at  the 
greatest  speed  at  their  command  has  not  yet  been  definitely  settled,  but  it  will 
be  four-cornered,  with  four  pylon  control  points.  The  total  distance  to  be 
flown  is  120  miles.  One  of  the  loylons  will  be  located  near  the  Group  Operations 
Office  at  the  flying  field,  in  order  that  the  spectators  may  be  provided  the 
best  possible  view  of  the  race.  Another  of  the  pylons  will  be  located  near  the 
Group’s  bombing  range  fronting  the  Gulf,  south  of  the  flying  field. 

Several  Pursuit  and  Observation  planes  from  Kelly  Field  are  expected  to 
attend  this  event.  In  line  with  its  importance,  and  because  of  the  nation-wide 
attention  it  has  attracted,  the  Bombers  and  Pursuit  planes  will  give  an  aerial 
exhibition  on  the  day  of  the  race. 

oOo 

OBSOLETE  AIRPLANES  BOMBED  AT  CAMP  STANLEY 

Tai  planes  from  the  8th  and  90th  Attack  Squadrons  of  the  Third  Attack  Group, 
Fort  Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas*  left  on  November  1st  for  Camp  Stanley,  Texas, 
to  engage  in  some  realistic  target  practice. 

Twenty  condemned  airplanes  were  arranged  on  the. ground  to  simulate  an  enemy 
airdrome  during  war  time.  The  4tt;ack  planes  bombed, the  worn-out  planes,  and 
it  was  hot  long  before  a mass  o^  wreckage  was  strewn  over  the  area  where  a 
short  time  before  was  a collection  of  seemingly  good  airplanes. 

This  is  the  first  time  a test. like  this  was  ever  undertaken  by  the  Air 
Corps,  and  it  is  believed  important  data  will  be  collected  on  the  effect  of  such 
an  attack  on  an  enemy  airdrome  during  time,  of  war.  The  students  in  the  class 
undergoing  training  at  the  Advanced  Flying  School  at  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  wit- 
nessed the  bombing  tests,  which  were  held  on  November  3rd.  Three  who to graphic 

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airplanes  from  Kelly  Field,  carrying  representatives  from  the  various  'NeWs-’:R6%i 
agencies,  circled  the  tombing  area  at -a  lii^pi; altitude  and  photographed  the  bomb- 
ing. Many  officers  from  Kelly  Field  went'  to  Camp  Stanley  early  in  the  morhiug 
and  took  up  positions  in  t reels  ops  and  on  hillsides  adjacent  to  the  bombing  area. 

— -oOo- — 

VICINITY  OF  FORT  SILL  CONVERTED  IilTO  SHELL  TORN  BATTLEFIELD 

No  official  re-port. is  available-  as-  yet  on- the  results -of  the  bombing 
conducted  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Sill-,  ’’Oklahoma.'  during  the  latter  part  of 
October.  The  News  Letter  Correspondent  from  Post 'Field',  in  briefly  touching 
on  this  subject,  states  that  bombs  weighing  from  100  to  2,000  -ootrnds  were 
dropped  at  altitudes  ranging  from  4,000  to  1-5,000'  feet.  Everyone  was  anxious 
to  see  one  of  the  large  bombs  explode,  and  they  got  their  wish.  Now,  if  it 
ever  rains  enough  to  fill  up  one  of  the  holes,  there  will  be  a good  swimming 
hole  on  top  of  one  of  these  granite  gopher  mounds. 

— ;j-o0o • 

REPRESENTATIVES  OF  AIRCRAFT  INDUSTRY  VISIT  MATERIEL  DIVISION  ■ • '• 

•■■The  following  representatives  of  manufacturing'  organizations  were  among 
those  who  visited  the  Materiel  Division,  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  recently, 
for  consultation  with  engineers: 

R. W.  Gibson,  Wacq  Aircraft  Co.,  Troy,  Ohio. 

Walter  Bishop,  Nr.,  Warner  Aircraft  Corp. , Detroit,  Mich;  ^ 

A.R.  Roake  and  E.S.  Lewis,  Eclipse  Aviation  Corp.,  East  Orange,  N.J. 

Robert  Ihsl-ey,  Continental  Motors  Co.,  Detroit Mich.  ’ 

W.W.  White,  Standard  Oil  of  New’  Jersey,  • New  York  City.  - * •'  :J 

T.P.  Wright,  Curtiss  Aeroplane  and  Motor  Corp.',  Garden  City,  LhY.’- 

Burdette  S.  Wright,  Curtiss- Wright  Company,  Washington,  D.C. 

T.E.  Till inghast,  Pratt  & Whitney  Co;,  Hartford,  Conn. 

W.S.  Allison,  Kinner  Motor  Corp.,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Walter  E.  Lees,  .Packard  Motor  Car  Co.,  Detroit,  Mich. 

• G.  H.  Brodie , Packard  Motor  Car  Co.  , Detroit,'  Mich. 

G4E.  Laurence,  Pioneer  Instrument  Co.,  Brooklyn,  N.Y.  • : 

•-  Richard  Gelzenlichter , Boeing  Airplane ' Co . , Seattle,  Wash.  . - 

- Victor  Bertrandias  and  Eddie  Ri ckenbacker , Fuhker  Aircraft  Co.,  N.Y.Cityv-- 

J.'M.  Miller,  Bendix  Company,  ’ South-  Bend j Indiana. 

Leigh  Wade, : Consolidated  Aircraft  Corp,,  Buffalo,  N.Y. 

C.A.  Cover,  Douglas  Aircraft  Co. , Santa  Monica,  Calif. 

J.E.  Schaefer,  Stearman  Aircraft  Co.,  Wichita,  Kansas. 

S. P.  "Lyon,  Thomas- Morse  Air ef aft  Co.  , Buffalo  ,'  'N.YE;- ' ' - 

Orrin  E.  Ross,  Keystone  Aircraft  Corp. , Bristol,  Pa.  ■ 

- Noticing  the  name  of  Eddie  Rickenbacker  among- the  manufacturers * represen- 
tatives who  were  recently  in  consultation  with  Wright  Field  engineers,  one  Can- 
not h£lp  but  reflect  upon  the  strange  vagar  i.es  of  fate.  Here  is  a man,  the 
foremost  American  war-time  aviator,  who  specialized- in  shooting- down’ Folzker  ’ 
planes,  destroying  no  less  than  eleven  of  them,  and  ye t , twelve  years  lat-er, 
we  find  him  associated  with  the  manufacturer  of  these  German  planes,  •'Who  is  -now 
engaged  in  making  better  and  bigger  planes'  for  this  country.  "Truth  is  stranger 
than  fiction." 

— -oOo— 

'•  '"WEIGHT  FIELD  EMPLOYE  TOURS  EUROPE  VIA  BICYCLE  '•  • ■ 

William  Englehardt,  of  the  Statistical  Unit,1  Materiel  Division,  Wright 
Field,  returned  recently "from  a four- months*  bicycle  tour  of  Europe-,  Including 
sight- seeing  in  France,  Belgium,  Holland,  Germany * • Lithuania,  Russia,”  and  a 
cruise  along  the'  coast  of  Morocco.  He  and  a comrade  worked  their  way  over  a 
portion  of  the  rout-e,  having  the  unique  experience  of  helping  harvest'  oh  a 
Lithuanian  farm.-  He  Was  particularly  impressed  with  the  amount  of  commercial 
flying  in  Germany,  and  saw  the  famous  Dernier  DO-XTwith  its  twelve  motors-  and 
capacity  for  100  passengers. 

V-60S9,  A.C. 


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WASHINGTON  NATIONAL  AttARD  ATKMF.N  SPEAK  THFTR  PIECE 
‘xW  th$  l^ws  Letter  Co rresoondent.  ' 

In  the  Air  Corps  News  Letter  of  .July  .2nd,  William  J.  Hahnel  presents  an 
interesting  picture  of  service  in  .the  Air  Corps  today.,,’ particularly  as  it.  strikes 
the  Reserve  Officer  Who' has  seen  little  or  no  active,  duty  since  the  war.-  . . 

Hahndl  "says "An  Impression  I had  that  the  Air  Corps  . enlisted  men  are  primarily 
mechanics,  cannot  drill,  and  have  not  .the  military  hearing  found  in  other 
branches  of  the  service,  was  quickly  dispelled."  It  is  true  that  the  day  has 
passed  when  the  Air  Corps  personnel  might  be  regarded  as 'a  peculiarly  individu- 
alistic group,  skilled  perhaps  .in  direct  flying  .duty,  but  untrained  concerning  . 
the.  numerous  other  branches  of  military  science. 

This  introduction  is  an  attempt  to. come  gracefully  to  the  subject  of  a 
little  modest  boasting  for  our  own  outfit,  the  47th  Division  Aviation,  at  Pelts 
Field,  'Spokane,  Washington.  ;n°w  that  .we  have  stumbled  on  the  subject  of  air 
service  iproficiency  in  .endeavors  generally  conceded  to  be  the  province  of.,  other- 
branches,  we  are  reminded  of  one  or  two  instances  in  point,,  right  he  re  .in  the 
Squadron.  For  example,  the  Governor's  Review.  This  event  is  held  the  second 
Sunday  of  the  annual  National.  Guard  encampment,  at  Fort  Lewis,  Washington,  and 
all  outfits  extend,  themselves  to  produce  an  extra  creditable  performance.  The  . 
busy  mechanics  of  the  116th  Observation  Squadron  are  occupied  at  the  hangars  • 
from  early  morning  until  Retreat,  often  with  extra  duty  in  the  evening,  and  ■ . 
have  less  time  to  devote  t.p  perfecting  drill  formations  than  any  of  the  other 
Divisional  -units.  Bit  there  is  plenty  of  Esprit  de  Corps  in  the  Squadron,  and/ 
where  its  reputation  Is  affected-  the  men  may  be  depended  upon  to  perform  to,  the 
limit  of  their  ability  and  training.  This  accounts  for  the  fact  that  when- the 
Reviewing  body  at  this  year’s,  ca.rnp  made  public  their  opinion  as'  to  the  troops 
presenting  the  best  formation,  first  place,  went  to  the  Division  Aviation. 

This  was  commented  upon  as  follows  in  the  official  report  of  our  Regular 
Army  Inspector: 

"The  116th  Observation  S madron,  with  the  116th  Photographic . Sect ion, we re 
giyen  first' place  at  the  Governor’s  Review  and.  were  rated  first.  In  camp  police, 
which,  Considering  the  work  necessary  on  the  airplanes  and  at  the  hangar,  is 
an  exceptional  record. ir 

The  training  of  an.  Observation  Squadron  probably  demands  greater  knowledge 
of  th.e  other  aims  than  is  generally  required  from  Air  Service  units , as  a great: 
deal  'of  the  work  is  in  direct  cooperation  with  a ground,  arm.  The  facilities  , . 

offered  this  unit  to  fuhction.as  Divisional  Aviation  in  the  tactical  problems 
at  the  annual  encampment  at  Fort  Lewis,  and  the  further  opportunities  .extended 
by  Colonel  Partello,  of  Fort  George  Wright,  to  work  with.  Regular  Army  Infantry, 
have  permitted  us' a type  of  training  not  possible  in  all  National  Guard. -dints.  ■ 

In  our  first  years  at  Camp  Lewis,  on  target  problems  with  the  Divisional  Artil- 
lery, we  found  at  the  beginning  some  skepticism  regarding  the  value  of  Aerial 
Observation  on  targets. 

This  has  been  entirely  dispelled,  and  we  now  find. the  artillery  commanders, 

eager  to  work  with  us , . and  as  concerned  as.  we  are  over  the  careful  understanding 

of  the  routine  of  air-ground  communication  which  is  so  essential  in  a successful 
shoot.  The  officers  of  the  Squadron  have  made  many  friends  among  the  personnel 
of  the  146th  and  148th  Field  Artillery  commands.  It  has-  become  a pleasant  custom 
of  the  camp  for  the  Battery  officers  to  entertain  the  flyers  at  adinner  early  ,, 

in  the  first  week  of  camp.  Pilots,  Observers  and  Battery  Commanders  get  to- 

gether afterward,  and  a general  discussion  of  all  problems  arising  in  the  ordi- 
nary course  of  an  artillery  adjustment  takes  place.”  We  have  found  that  the  suc- 
cess of  a shoot  is  in  direct  relation  to  the  mutual  understating  of. pilot.,  ob- 
server, and  battery  commander , regarding  the  various  phases  of  the  exercise  to 
be  performed  by  each  participant.  . Where  thorough  understanding  exists,  complete 
cooperation  follows,  and  a successful  exercise  becomes  a matter  of. simple  routine; 
and  where  cooperation  is.  lacking,  it  is  amazing  what  trivial  details  of  .communi-. 
cation  will  entirely  upset  the  progress  of  a problem. 

In  the  field  of  actual  .training  with  artillery  units,  the  116th  Observation 
Squadron  believe,  that  there  is  npt  a more  experienced  Squadron  (either  Regular 
Army  or  National  Guard)  than  our  own  unit.  The  major  .part  of  our  training  at  the 
past  four  annual  encampments  has  been  actual,  artillery  adjustment  in  the  field. 

We  challenge  any  Squadron  to  compare  records  with  us  on  total  number  of  completed 
artillery  adjustment  problems;  or,  on  the  number,  of  - trained  pilots  and  observers 
in  their  officer' personnel  qualified  by  field,  experience  in  this  essential 
feature  of  observation  training.' 

This. year  the  Division  Aviation  was  called  bn  to  the  full  extent  of  equip- 

-S28-  V-6089,  A. C. 


ment  and  personnel  during  the  general  exercise  at' the  close  of  camp,  involving 
all  arms.  The  problem  this  year  was  a Command  Post  exercise,  centering  on  the 
regiment  in  defense.  The  Squadron  furnished  hourly  battle  reconnaissance  from 
12:  M.  June  25.  Seventeen  reports  were  delivered  by  dropped  message  to  units 
in  the  field.  These  messages  formed  a scheduled  part  of  the  exercise,  and 
were  delivered  by  the  Umpire  to  the  Operations  Officer  at  stated  intervals, 
testing  the  unit  on  its  facility  in  administration  - handling  details  to  get 
the  message  on  its  way  - and  on  the  ability  of  the  pilots  to  search  out  well 
concealed  combat  units,  secure  satisfactory  identification  by  panel  or  other 
means,  and  deliver  the  message  on  time  to  the  proper  Command  Post.  Each  of 
these  missions  was  executed  accurately  and  strictly  on  schedule. 

Artillery  adjustment  came  early  on  the  schedule  at  the  1930  camp,  and  the 
previous  experience  of  the  observation  teams  and  battery  commanders  enabled 
them  to  work  through  their  problems  in  record  time,  thus  giving  more  officers 
an  opportunity  at  this  important  phase  than  ever  before.  Major  Haynes  planned 
his  training  program  so  that  all  officers  were  given  at  least  one  assignment  in 
the  air,  and  to  serve cat  least  once  in  liaison  capacity  with  the  battery.  The 
work  of  the  air  officer  at  the  battery  aids  him  materially  through  the  better 
understanding  gained  of  the  ground  phases  of  the  exercise;  and. the  presence  of  , 
an  air  officer  at  the  communications  section  of  a battery  assigned  to  an  air-  V 
plane  adjustment  problem  often  furnishes  valuable  assistance  to  the -ground 
battery  command,  radio,  and  panel  sections. 

Eor  three  days  during  the  concentrated  training  with -field  artillery,  Lt . 
Dwight  Smith,  Photographic  Officer,  was  called  on  repeatedly  at  unexpected  in- 
tervals for  emergency  photographic  missions.  The  photographs  required  were 
chiefly  verticals  of  battery  positions  before,  during  and  after  occupation.  In 
several  instances,  Lt.  Smithhad  the  prints  developed  and  delivered  to  the 
proper  officers  in  their  position  in  the  field,  within  an  hour  after  receiving 
the  order  at  the  hangar.  It  was  discovered  tliat  valuable  information  was  reveal- 
ed by  these  verticals.  In  one  instance  photographs  taken  over  an .area  in  which 
a battery  had  moved  to  a concealed  position,  the  .tracks  left  in  moving  in  came 
out  so  clearly  in  the  print  that  the  position  was  disclosed.  Another  vertical 
plainly  showed  burned  grass  areas  directly  in  front  of  concealed  guns. 

One  of  the  interesting  missions  performed  this  year  was  an  adjustment 
problem  at  Port  Warden  with  the  National  Guard  Coast  Artillery,  involving  the 
twelve,  ten  and  six  inch  guns.  Fort  Warden  is  some  sixty-five  miles,  airline, 
from  our  base  at  Fort  Lewis.  "In  a similar  nroblem  last. year,  aerial  observation 
was  maintained  throughout  the  annual  Coast  Artillery  exercise,  but  the  air  cor- 
rections were  not  actually  employed  during  the  wroblem,  being  used  only  as  a 
check  on  terrestrial  observation  after  completion  of  the  shoot.  Such  a method  .- 
includes  obvious  difficulties  for  the  observer.  Gan  corrections  are  made  from 
data  other  than  his,  and  in  his  :attempt  to  reconcile  such  corrections  with  his 
sensings,  he  naturally  concludes  that  he  has  erred  in  judgment  of  distance, and 
in  a further  attempt  to  fix  his  error  by  a comparison  of  the  burst  and  his  own 
correction,  he  merely  becomes  more  confused. 

This  fault  Was  pointed  out  by  Major  Haynes,  and  at  this  year's  exercise  it 
was  stipulated  in  the  problem  order  that  only  air  corrections  be  employed  on  the 
guns. 

Two  trips  to  Fort  Warden,  previous  to  the  problem,  were  made  by  the  obser- 
vation team.  All  phases  of  the  exercises  were  discussed  by  the  pilot,  observer 
and  battery  officers,  followed  by  a thorough  test  of  radio  communication,  in 
which  test  sensings  were  employed.  Major  Dohm,  the  battery  commander,  and  Lieut. 
Grey,  Regular  Army-  Instructor  at  Fort  Warden,  extended  the:  visiting  observation 
team  every  courtesy,  and  went  carefully  into  the  details  involved  in  the  exercise. 

Major  C.V.  Haynes,  pilot,  and  Captain  Robert  Owenr  Observer,  worked  the 
problem  and  were  glad  to  call  it  a day  after  six  hours  of  close  work  in  the  cock- 
pit of  the  02-H.  One  direct  hit  with  the  ten-inch  guns,  at  12,000  yards,  was 
secured  - the  first  direct  hit  in  any  problem  fired  at  Fort  Warden  in  a number 
of  years.  Some  phases  of  the  exercise  may  be  of  general  interest,  as  this  mis- 
sion differs  in  many  respects  from  adjustment  with  field  artillery.  Eight  shots 
are  fired  in  all,  from  both  the  twelve  and  ten- inch  guns.  The  "K”  factor,  or 
time  constant  between  shots,  on  the  12-inch  gun,  for  example,  is  about  forty 
seconds.  The  observation  on  the  shot- must  be  made:  and;  relaj^ed  to-  the  battery 
in  fifteen  or  twenty  seconds  at  most  to  be  of  any  use.  The  corrections  for  the 
first  four  shots  are  averaged  by  the  officers  at  the  battery  plotting  room,  and 
usually  reach  the  gun  at  the  fifth  or  sixth  shot.  The  code  message'  must  be 
rapped  out  with  accuracy  In  the  nlane,  as  there  is  little  time  for  repetition, 

-329-  . V-6Q89.,  A.C. 


and  also  great  -probability  of  a repeated  message  being  interpreted  at  the 
plotting  room  -a*s  another.  sensing. .r/-fs  pppyections  in  range  are  estimated  to 
ten- yard  intervals,  the  code’  is  also  more  phohe“-Vo- Wisihter^iretatiPii- 'than  when 
■employing.  thev  larger  unit  correptions.  of  field  artillery.  During  the  progress 
•of  this  , exercise  ,at/ Fort  Warden,,  photographs'  of  the  shell  impacts'  are-'  t'aken  at 


• .each,  shot from  a fixed,  posit idn.  on  the  tug  which 'tows  the  target,  'Hie  con- 
stant relation  in  direction  and  distance  of  the  camera  from  the  target.','  and.  the 
,;:ponseguej>ij ^determinable . angles , gives sufficient  triangulation  data  • to  solve 
for  the  error  in  "range  for  each  shot , " with  an  average  error  in  this  combutat ion 


qClpss  ,-than  a, yard*  . A hard  and  fast  check  of  the  accuracy  -of  •all1'  observation 
during. i-the  exercise  is  thus  secured.  Lieut.  Grey’s  discussion  of  this. "year1  s 
cexercisp.,  gave  : the  air  service  credit  for  considerably  higher  average ' estimates 


then  any  previous  records. of  terrestrial  observation  over  the  same  range;'  .The 
.airplane  •correct ions  were  .received' at  the  plotting  room  at  an •> average  interval 
•of  less -than  fifteen,  seconds  .after  impact.  : • : ■ 

-It  was  officially  noted  at  the  critique  that' the  exercise  had  demonstrated 
I'both.the  advantages  of  airplane  observation  in  this  type- of  shoot,  and  tile  sat- 
isfactory standard-- of  trailing  of  . ‘persomiel  in  the:;llGth' ; Observation  Squadron, 
evidenced,  by  the.  work  .of  ..the"  observation  team.  ' The  - report  - of  the  Regular  Army 
Inspector  for  the  encampment*,  include  da  statement  'thht:  the  observations  in  this 
exercise  in;  many  instances . coincided  almost  ekactiy  ' With  the  phot  ©graphlfc.;  .record. 
••>  . put  ■ the  ■ final -.paragraph’ of  the  Inspector’ s report  pefhaps- carried  theimost 
satisfaction- fo  every  member  of  our  unit.  Ih  paragraph  five  he'  said:  • '■•'It'  is  con- 
sidered; that  the:  organisations  (11.6th  Observation  Squadron  and  116-th' photographic 
Section)  -are  ready  to  take,  .the  field' 'immediately  f‘6r' offensive"1  combat  service." 

; . — - oOo-f - - ’ 


' 67th.  SjERVTCN  S'QUADROr'CO^  W LIFE;  AGAIN-  ^ 


- .The:  67-th  Service  Squadron,  Air  Corps',1'  was  'reconstituted’ dnd  organized.,  at 
Kelly  ^ield,  San  Ant onio',  Texas,,  on  Octqbef  1st.  The  Squadroh  -was  made  u,p  of 
enlistedv.men-  in  various’,  grades  and  ratings  in  the  Air  Corps'  Unas  signed,  General 
;Assigument: Group,  stationed  at  Kelly  Field,  and  Consists  of  T72' enlisted  men 
.Under  the  coipniand  of  .iieut  . . I'fex'  F. ; Schhef'der.  ' ...i  .' 

. At ' the  present  •, time  approximately  half  of  the  enlisted' men  are  on -detached 
service  at  Randolph  Field.  The  July,  1930,  Army  List-  and  Directory  shows  the 
67th  Service  Squadron  as  part  of  the  inactive  8th  Pursuit  Grodp,  -which  with  the 
2nd  Bombardment  Group,  forms  the  2nd  "Bombardment  Wing  with  home  station  at 
Langley  Field,  Vav-:  .---qOo---  . 


, .:,,SRY.MTH  ^OMBARDiehT  . GRQIJP  EiJGAGES^  III  MANEUVERS 


. ; Go  operating  with.  the. ,63  rd  Anti-Aircraft  Regiment"  of  ■ the  Coast  Artillery, 
the  7th-.; bombardment.  Group,  stationed  at  Rockwell  field,  Coronado, ';'Caiif-i  , • 

gaged  jbn. maneuvers  on  October  loth,  14th  and  iSth  for  the  purpose  of ' testing 
the  ,1'a.test  anti-aircraft  equipment.  ‘ . •.>... 

...One  flight  of  Pursuit  was' stationed  at  the  United  Airport,  Burbank,  Calif . , 
to  intercept  attacks  made  by  'the  . 11  th  Bombardment  and  .:95.th  .Pursuit  .Squadrons.  • 
Three  missions  a day  were  flown,  one  in  the  morning,  one  in  the  afternoon  and 
one  at. night.  On' each  of  these  missions,  the  flight  consisted  .of  three  Bombers 
and  one  flight  of '.protecting  Pursuit.  Pursuit  escorts  were -not  flown  on  the 
night  missions.  "The  assaults  on  the  airport  were  made  under  varying  conditions 
and  at"  varying  altitudes.  The  final  results  of  ..these  exercises  have  not  been 
published,  but  both  forces  claim  victory. 

oOo 


JUNGLE  PETS  AT  FRANCE  FIELD,  PANAMA. 


The  list  of  jungle-born  pets  which  one  may  see  around  France .field,  Panama, 
is  a long  one.  Boa  constrictors,  honey  bears  and  raccoons  are  a comrpon.  sight, 
but  if  remains  ferr  Corporal  Schwendinger  and  the  25th  Bombardment  Squadron  to 
have  the  only  collection  of  living  wild  deer  to  be  found  on  any  Panama  Canal 
Army  post.  Two  does  and  a buck  comprise  the  zoo,  and  the  fwo  does  have  tiie 
distinction  of  being  decidedly  air-minded.  One  doe  was  brought  from  David, 
Republic  de  Panama,  by  plane,  while  the  other  was  picked  up,  as  a fawn, [ by  two 
Navy  flyers  forced  down  on  a coastal  island  up-country.  The  buck  is  a-  iocal 
product.  - 

---  , p330~  V-6.089,  A.C. 


SEVEN  AIRPLANES  .ESTABLISH  -CONTACT  OVER  WHOLE  STATE  IN  ONE-  MISSION 

Army  airmen  stationed  at  Maxwell  Field,  Montgomery,  Alabama,  recently  per- 
formed a rather  unusual  mission  of  establishing  contact  with  points  throughout 
the  whole.  State  of  Alabama  in  one  mission,  thereby  demonstrating  to  the  general 
public  how  the  Air  Corps  goes  about  its  work. 

This  mission  is  described  by  the  Maxwell  Field  OBSERVER,  published -by  the 
personnel  of  that  field,  $,s  follows: 

"In  cooperating  with  the  American  Legion  Posts  of  Alabama,  seven  planes 
were  dispatched  bearing  dr  op  .-Rifes  sages  to  each  of  forty- four  towns  scattered 
throughout  the  State  of -.Alabama..  At  some  predetermined  point  the  local  Legion 
Post  had  established  a Command  Post  at  which  a distinguishing  panel  was  dis- 
played upon  signal  from  the  airplane, .the  message  being  dropped  at  the  panel. 
The  planes  had  a definite  time  schedule  laid  out  for  arrival  and  departure  from 
each  town.  Over  2,500  miles  were  flown,  all  over  strange  territory,  using  the 
ordinary  25- inch  State  maps,  and  every  plane  arrived  at  the  stations  assigned 
either  at  the  appointed  time,  or  a short  time  prior  thereto. 

Enthusiasm  over  the  project  was  State  wide.  At  many  towns  the  school 
children  were  given  an  unscheduled  recess  in  order  that.,  they  might  watch  the 
airplane  as  it  came  over  to  deliver  its  message,  and  the. Commanding  Officer  of 
Maxwell  Field  received  telegrams  from  the  Legion  Posts  advising  of  arrival  of 
the  ships.  It  is  hoped  that, since  this,  mission  proved  so  successful  in. 

Alabama,  it  may  be  carried  to  .the  neighboring  States,  thus  building  up  a .net- 
work of  contact  points,  ready  for  instant  operation  in  case  of  emergency. 

This  is  a vivid  testimony  to  the  ability  of  the  modern  Army  pilot,  and  to 
the  effectiveness  of  the  training  schools  in  building  men  capable  of  navigatirg 
an  airplane.  It  is  valuable  in  that  it  demonstrates  to  the  civilians  that 
Array  airplanes  can  be  dispatched  to  their  assistance  upon  exceedingly  short 
notice,  and  that  these  airplanes  can  be  depended  uwon  to  arrive  at  their  desti- 
nation.- It.  creates  confidence,  in  our  organization  and  leads  the  way  to  added 
mutual  understanding  between  the  Army  and  the  public,  forcing  the  latter  to 
realize  that  in  time  of  floods,  riots,  sickness,  etc.,  Army  planes  are  ready 
and  capable  of  coming  to  their  assistance,  unconsciously  establishing  a reali- 
zation of  the  peace  time  necessity  for  the  Army,  aside  from  the  issue  of 
preparedness." 

0O0 

SAN  ANTONIO  AIR  DEPOT  A BEEHIVE  OF  INDUSTRY  . 

During  the  months  of  July,  August  and  September,  1930,  the  Engineering 
Shops  of  the  San  Antonio  Air  Depot,  Duncan  Field,  Texas,  overhauled  a total  of 
74  airplanes  and  202  engines,  and  repaired  69  airplanes  and  207  engines.  The 


following  tabulation  will 

, tend  to  show  in  detail  .the 

work  done 

at  the  San 

Antonio  Air  Depot  during 

the 

third  quarter  of  the  Calendar  Year  1930; 

Type  of 

J u 1 y 

August 

Sept 

e m b e r 

Total 

Airplane 

Overhauled  Re-paired  Overhauled  Repaired 

Overhauled  Repaired 

0 

R 

A- 3 

3' 

3 

2 4 

■ 1 

..  - •' 

6 

7 

A-3B' 

- ■ 

1 

1 2 

1 

2 ' 

2 

5 

BT-1 

3 -:f'  ' 

1 

3 ' - 

3 

3 

9 

4 

C-l-C 

2 

- 

3 

C-7 

- •• 

1 

- 

- 

1 

C-9 

- 

1 

- 

— ;••• 

-1 

D.H . 

■■  ■ 

- 

_ 

5 ' 

• i 

5 

1 

DH-4M-2 

1 

- 

2 

- 

1 

2 

DH-4M-2P 

- 

- 

1 

- 

- 

1 

- 

DH-4M-2T 

4 

- 

4 

- 

- 

8 

- 

Fleetster 

_ 

- - • 

- 1 

- 

- 

1 

Fokker 

- 

- 

- 

- 

3 

- 

3 

LB- 5 

■ ■ ■_ 

1 •••! 

— 

1 

1 

LB-5A 

- 

' 2 ' 

" - • 

- 

• 

- 

2 

N.  S. 

■- : 

. _ ■ - ■ 

- 

1 

- 

1 

0-2 

-IK  - >c.  V,/: 

■ 2 

- 

- 

2 

02- H 

V 1 

• -•S'- 

■ ’ ' ' ■ 1 4 ■ 

4 

2 ,' : 

6 

9 

02- J 

1 

• 3 - 

- 

■ •'  •-  : ■; ;/ 

- 

3 

02-M 

■ - 

2 

- ■ ■ 

• - ; 

- 

2 

02- M3  ; 

- --vv 

, _ 

X - 

" 

2 - 

- 

2 

To  be  F’w1 

>d  12 

16 

13  19 

■ -331- 

14 

15  ■ 39-  50 
V-6089,A.C. 

Type  o.f 

J.  n 1 .y 

......  A,u.g  u 

s t 

, . S e. . p 

,t  e . mf  b e r 

. Total 

Airplane  Overhauled  Repaired 

Overhauled  Repaired 

Overhauled  Repaired 

0 

R 

Forwarded 

12 

16 

’13 

■ 19 

14.. 

15  . 

39 

.50 

0-19B  ' 

- 

"3  ! 

3 

: ■ ;2 

- J ‘ 

8 

Pl-D 

1 

- 

3 

- 

. 1 ' 

t 

5 

1 

Pl-E 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1 

•- 

1 

- 

Pl-F  ' 

i 

- ■ 

- ■ 

3 

’ g v ;- !V-.  ' 

- 4 

. - : 

PT-1 

~ • 

2 

- 

■ - 

- 

' 2 ' 

PT-3 

i 

1 

2 

3 

6 

' 1 

PT-3A 

9.  ■ : . 

1 

4 

3 

3 ' 

- "• : 

16 

- 4 

PW-9D 

. .2 

1 

- 

2 

•- 

;•  ;- 

■"  r£:- 

.3 

PW-9C" 

- 

•-  • - 

1 

• 

- 

1 

Total 

26 

24  , 

. 23 . 

27 

.25 

. 18 . . ' 

.74 

69; 

Type  of 

Engine 

Curtiss  D-12 

43  . 

2 

30 

1 

.23 

- 

96 

3 

Liberty 

- 

’68 

- 

77 

- 

45  : 

190 

Wright-E 

- 

3 

- 

• . - 

- 

- 

- 

3 

Wright  J-5 

22 

Z 

39 

$ 

34  ’ 

1 

94 

3 

Wright  J-6 

5 

1 

3'  • 

4 

6 

12 

7 

Wasp 

- 

- 

- 

1 

- 

- 

- 

1 

Total 

70 

76 

'71  • 

81 

61 

. -51 

.202 

207 

oOo- — 

' ' - . 

ARMY  AIRMEN  ALWAYS 

OH  THE- 

GO  • 

Two  items  which  appealed' in  a' recent  issue  of  the  Maxwell  Field  OBSERVER  - 
hears  eloquent  testimony  of  the  fact  that  the  job  of  the  Army  airman  of  today 
is  hardly  calculated  to  keep  him  close  to  where  the  home  fires  are  burning. 
Between  ferrying  airplanes  a.cross  the  continent  and  going  out  on  varied  flying 
missions .,.  tactical  arid  otherwise,  ample  opportunity  is  afforded  to  te'st  the 
truthfulness  of  the  time-worn  assertion  that  "Absence  makes  the  heart  grow 
fonder."  •' 

One  of  the  personals  in  the • OBSERVUR  is  to  the  effect  that  a certain 
Captain  came  back  to  the  post  by  train  bn  a Sunday  night  from  Santa  Monica, 
Calif.,  to  which  plane  lie. had  ferried  ah  0-22  Observation  plane.  Farther  down 
in  the  same  column,  under  the  caption  of  "Last  Minute  Social  Item,"  appears  a 
squib  to  the  effect  that  the  Missus  wishes  to  announce  that  the  Captain  is 
visiting  in  her  home  .for  several  days  and  that  possibly  a tea  in  his  honor 
will  be  announced  later. 

- — 0O0 

MORE  ABOUT  ’THAT  KELLY  FIELD  - CROCKETT  GOLF  MATCH 

The  battle  of  words  between  Fort ' Crockett  and  Kelly  Field  came  to  a climax 
when  the  Kellyites,  headed  by  their  Commanding  Officer,-  Major  Frederick  L. 

Martin,  swooped  down  into  Galveston,  prepared  to  do  or  die  in  the  attempt.  They 
were  met  at  the  flying  field  by  Major  Davenport  Johnson,-  who  escorted  them  into 
Fort  Crockett.  ' ‘ : 

At  the  e'nt ranee  to  the  Post,  the  visitors1  startled  gaze  fell  upon  a 
funeral  cortege  in'  full  array.  They  were  ordered  to  dismount  and  take  a last 
look  at  the  deceased,  who  was  calmly  resting  in  a black  casket  surrounded  by  Ye 
Gods  Own  Chosen  People,  the  Third  Attack  Group  Golfers.  The  invading  divot 
diggers  were  undismayed  by  the  sight  of  their  dead  "hopes"  and  with  fierce  de- 
termination swept  the  chosen  ones  off  their  feet,  winning  six  of  the  ten  matches. 

It  is  not  known  if  Major  Johnson  ever  ate  any  of  the  worms  mentioned  in 
the  challenge  to  the. Golf  Representative  at  Kelly  Field. 

••  • ; V r.  --.-oOo 

Lieut.  F.D.  lynch,  recognized  as  one  of  the  authorities  on  communications 
in  the  Air  Corps,  who  has  been  stationed  at  Kelly  Field,  is  being  transferred  . 
to  Dodd  Field  f of  .the  purpose  ..of '.organizing  a communications  unit  at . that  ; field. 

-332-:'  - ' ' "•  ! ' "V-6089,A.C.'  " 


THIRD  ATTACK  GROUP  STARTS  RADIO  BROADCASTING 


The  Third  Attack  Group,  stationed  at  Fort  Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas,  and 
commanded  by  Major  Davenport  Johnson,  Air  Corps,  has  adopted  an  effective  method 
of  disseminating  aeronautical  information,  thereby  promoting  greater  interest  on 
the  part  of  the  public  in  aviation  matters. 

Each  Wednesday  evening,  the  Third  Attack  Group  Orchestra  plays  over  Radio 
Station  KFUL,  Galveston,  Texas,  and  offers  entertainment  in  a program  known  as 
the  Fort  Crockett  Hour.  Fifteen  minutes  of. this  hour  are  devoted  to  a talk  on 
aviation  by  some  officer  stationed  at  the  post. 

Officers  who  have  already  appeared  before  the  microphone,  and  the  subjects 
they  covered  are  enumerated  below:  Captain  S.J.  Idzorek,  "Attack  Aviation,  Its 
Foibles  and  Fancies;"  Major  Robert  C.  Murphy,  "Parachutes;"  Major  Chai*les  E. 
Brenn,  "The  Medical  Side  of  Aviation;"  Lieut.  John  P.  Whitely,  "Aeronautical 
Engineering; " and  Captain  James  F.  Doherty,  "Commercial  Aviation  and  Its  Aid  to 
the  Community." 

Each  program  presents  a different  speaker  with  a new  topic.  That  this 
broadcasting  is  appreciated  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  large  numbers  of 
letters  are  received  by  Station  KFUL,  commending  these  programs  and  requesting 
a continuation  of  same. 

0O0 

CONTRACTS  FOR  NEW  AIR  CORPS  EQUIPMENT 

The  Assistant  Secretary  of  War,  the  Hon.  F.  Trubee  Davison,  recently  ap- 
proved two  contracts  for  new  equipment  for  the  Army  Air  Corps,  involving  an 
expenditure  of  $235,209,07.  One  contract,  amounting  to  $214,892.38,  awarded 
the  Wright  Aeronautical  Corporation  of  Paterson,  N.J.,  covers  40  Wright  air- 
cooled "Cyclone"  engines,  Model  R-1750-P,  with  spare  parts  and  engineering 
data.  Twenty  of  these  engines  are  to  be  installed  in  a similar  number  of 
Fokker  single-engine  Cargo  type  planes,  while  the  remainder  will  be  used  for 
spares. 

The  Detroit  Aircraft  Corporation,  Detroit,  Mich. , will  receive  a contract 
for  an  additional  Detroit  "Lockheed"  fast  single-engined  Transport  plane,  at  a 
cost  of  $20,316.69,  including  engineering  data.  This  plane  will  be  equipped 
with  an  air-cooled  type  SR-1340-E  Pratt  & Whitney  "Wasp"  engine,  and  an  improved 
landing  gear.  This  contract  was  awarded  for  the  purpose  of  conducting  further 
service  tests  on  a Transport  of  this  particular  type. 

— oOo 

INDUSTRIAL  HEADS  VISIT  WRIGHT  FIELD 

Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  was  visited  on  October  10th  by  almost  one 
hundred  industrial  executives  and  bankers  as  part  of  a tour  of  important  re- 
search laboratories  arranged  by  the  National  Research  Council,  Division  of 
Engineering  and  Industrial  Research.  Maurice  Holland  directed  the  tour,  which 
was  made  by  special  train' and  boat.  Lieut.  Samuel  P.  Mills,  Chief  of  the 
Technical  Data  Section,  Materiel  Division,  Wright  Field,  was  in  charge  of  the 
field  inspection  of  the  various  laboratories  and  test  plants,  as  well  as  the 
program  of  entertainment. 

The  group  was  welcomed  by  an  address  of  Brig.-General  H.C.  Pratt,  Chief 
of  the  Materiel  Division.  Following  the  field  inspection  and  luncheon,  the 
•party  was  taken  to  the  hangars  and  viewed  an  air  exhibition.  Lieut.  Mills  de- 
scribed the  various  air  maneuvers  by  radio  and  a loud  speaker  system.  Members 
of  the  party,  which  included  representatives  of  the  leading  industries  of  the 
country,  expressed  themselves  as  enthusiastic  over  the  work  being  carried  on  by 
the  Materiel  Division. 

oO.o— - 

HOW  THE  HAT- IN- THE-RING  INSIGNIA  CAME  INTO  BEING 

According  to  Captain  Rickenbacker , premier  American  "Ac§,"  the  old  insignia 
of  his  famous  94th  Aero  Squadron,  which  was  called  the  Hat- in- the- Ring  insignia, 
was  conceived  as  follows: 

Major  John  Huffer,  the  Squadron  Commander,  suggested  Uncle  Sam’s  traditional 
stove-pipe  hat  with  the-  stars  and  stripes  for  a hat  band.  Lieut.  Walters,  of 
Pittsburgh,  pa.,  the  Flight.  Surgeon  for  the  Squadron,  said  - "Why  not  the  hat-in- 

i r333-  " V-6 08*9, A. C« 


the-ring,  signifying  that  American  flyers  have  tossed  their  hat  into  the  ring 
as  a challenge  to  the  aerial  activities  of  the  enemy?" 

With  a rousing  cheer,  the  Squadron  officers  gave  their  anuroval.  The  next 
day  Lieut.  John  Wentworth,  of  Chicago,  made  up  some  drawings  of  the  insignia, 
which  was  destined  to  strike  terror  int6  the  hearts  of  the  flying  Roche. 

oQo— 

A TRUE  RADIO.  STORY 

The. wonders  of  radio  were  well  demonstrated  at  Prance  Field,  Panama  Canal 
Zone,  recently,  when  Captain  Edwin  F.  Carey,  commander  of  the  63rd  Service 
Squadron,  found  himself  unable  to  attend  a dinner  given  by  his  old  Rational 
Guard  Cavalry  troop,  held  at  the  Elks  Club  in  Brooklyn,  R.Y. 

On  the  night  of  the  dinner,  Captain  Carey  asked  Corporal  Farwell,  of  the 
,25th  Bombardment  Squadron,  if  it  would  be  possible  to  get  Rew  York  on  the 
Bombardment  Sauadron5s'  radio.  Farwell  promised  to  try.  A short  time  later, 
Farwell  called  Captain  Carey  and  told  him  that  he  was  in  touch  with  an  operator 
on  Riverside  Drive,  Rev:  York  City,  who  was  asking  as  to  what  message  the, Captain 
wished  to  have  phoned  to  the  dinner. 

Captain  Carey  sent  his  regards  and  expressed  his  regrets',  at  not  being  able 
to  attend.  The  Rew  York  operator  came  back  with  a reply  that  there  would  be 
sent  Captain  Carey  a list  giving  the  names  of  all  those  attending  the  dinner , 
and  mentioned  such  names  as  Brigadier-General  M.D.  Bryant,  Brigadier- General 
Charles  D.  DeBois  and  others.  Captain  Carey  said  that  these  names  mentioned  by 
the  operator  proved’ "beyond-  a doubt  the  authenticity  of  the  contact.  Reedless 
to  say,  the  Captain  is  now  thoroughly  "sold"  on  radio. 

— r-000 

WAR  DEPARTMERT  ORDERS ,AFFECTIRG  AIR  CORPS  OFFICERS 

Changes  of  Station:  Major  George  Lovell , Jr.,  Assistant  military  attache, 
Rome,  ..Italy,  to  duty  at  Langley  Field,  Va.  , effective  February  25,  1931. 

Captain  Aubrey  • I . Eagle , -Langley  Field,  to  Washington,  D.C.,  to  appear 
before  Army'  Retiring  Board. for  examination. 

Orders  assigning  Capt.  Dache  McC.  Reeves,  from  Philippines,  to  Langley 
Field,  Va. , amended  so  as  :to  -assign  him  to  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Orders  assigning  Capt.  Dudley  B.  Howard  to  Scott  Field  amended,  assigning 
him  to  Wright  Field. 

1st  Lieut.  Phillips  Melville,  Assistant  Military  Attache  for  Air,  Havana, 
Cuba,  to  Langley  Field;  Va. 

1st  Lieut.  Hilbert  M.  Wittkop  from  Rew  York  University,  Rew  York  City, 
to  lather  Field,  Sacramento,  Calif. 

1st  Lieut.  Samuel  'P.  Mills,  Wright  Field,  to  Rew  York  University,  Rew 
York  City,  for  duty  as  student. 

1st  Lieut.  Gilbert  S . . Graves , Philippines , to  Hqrs.  9th  Corps  Area,  Presidio 
of  San  Francisco,  Calif. 

2nd  Lieut.  William  J . Clinch,  Mitchel  Field,  to  Crissy /Field,  Calif. 

2nd  Lieuts.  Eugene  H.  Rice,  Guy  F.  Kix'and  GeOrge. R.  Geer  from  Air  Corps 
Training  Center  to  Dodd  Field,  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas. 

2nd  Lieut.'  Clarence  K.  Roath,  Letterman  General  Hospital,  to  proceed  to 
his  home  to  await  retirement . 

Orders  assigning  2nd  Lieut.  Charles  Sommers  from  Advanced  Flying  School, 
Kelly  Field,  to  Mather  Field,  .Calif. , revoked. 

Orders , directing  2nd  Lieut.  .Jerald  W.  McCoy  to  sail  from  Rew  York  City  to 
Panama,  December  2nd,  revoked.; 

2nd  Lieut.  El  wood  R.  Quesada  from  Office  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  to  Havana, 
Cuba,  for  duty  as  Assistant  Military  Attache  for  Air. 

2nd  Lieut.  John  F.  Fite  from. Fort  Crockett , Texas, ' to  March  Field,  Calif. 

Reserve  Officers  ordered  to  .extended  active  duty;  To  Maxwell  Field,  Ala.- 
2nd  Lt.  Charles  M,  Gravatt,.  Rov.  1 , '30  to  April  4,  1931;  2nd  Lt.  Philip  A. Roll, 
Jan,  .5  to  June  30,  1931  --  To  Langley  Field,  Va.  2nd  Lts.  Dewey  Bar  $2  6,  T.  Dec.  29 
to  June.  27,  1931;  Willard  J.  Ve.nen,  Dec.  30  to  June  28,  1931;  2nd  Lt.  Wallace 
S.  Dawson,  Rov.  15  to  June  30,  1931  — To  Fort  Crockett,  Texas,  2nd  Lt.  Win.  G. 
Catron,  Jan.  2-June  30,  1931  — To  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas,  1st  Lt.  RorfleSt  G. 
Bone*  Rov.  23-May  22,  1931;  2nd  Lt.  Thomas  J.  Parkes,  Dec.  2- May  31,1931  — To 
Rockwell  Field,  Calif.  2nd  Lt.  Carl  3.  Fry,  Jan. 2-June  30,1931  — To  Marshall 

-334-  V-6089 , A.C. 


Field.,  Kansas,  2nd  Lt.  Earl  Edward  liters,  Oct.  20- June  30,  1931. 

Promotions;  Panic  from 'November  1,  1930'.  To  ' Cautain ; ' lot  Lieutanants  ' 
William  A.  Hayward, Edmund  P.  Gaines,  Harvey  W.  Prosser,  Clayton  L.  Bissell, 

Horace  S.  Kenyon,  Jr. ,'  land  Leland  C.  Hurd. 

- — oOo 

' - 

A MOST  UNUSUAL  MOTHER 

Ivlrs.  George  Campbell,  of  Anadarlco,  Oklahoma,  mother  of  Donald  Campbell,  one 
of  the  two  Plying  Cadets  killed  in  a plane  crash  on  August  18th  last,  was  present 
at  the  graduation  exercises' at  the  Advanced  Plying  School  which  took  place  on 
October  11th.  To  each  of  25 ■members  of  the  graduating  class  who  came  to  the 
Advanced  Plying  School  at  Kelly  Field  four  months  ago  from- March  Field,  Calif., 
with  her  son,  she  presented  a leather  wallet.  Another  son,  George  Campbell , Jr. , 
has  just  begun  graining  at  the  Primary  Flying  School  at  Brooks  Field,  Texas. 

oOo 

STATUS  OF  INSTRUCTION  OF  OFFICERS  OF  ARMY  AIR  CORPS 

Statistics  recently  compiled  in  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  as 
to  the  status  of  instruction  of  Air  Corps  officers  in  service  schools  as  of 
September  30,  1930,  disclose  the  following; 

Graduates  or  students  of  Army  War  College  - 17  field  officers 

Graduates  or  students  of  Army  Industrial  College  - 12  field  officers,  23 
company  officers. 

Graduates  or  students  of  Command  and  General  Staff  School,  67  field  offi- 
cers, 11  company  officers. 

Graduates  or  students  of  Air  Corps  Tactical  School,  59  field  officers, 

70  company  officers. 

Graduates  or  students  of  one  or  more  of ■ the  Air  Corps  Technical  Schools  - 
25  field  officers,  265  company  officers. 

Graduates  or  students  of  technical  or  other  courses  at  civilian  educational 
institutions,  under  127-A  of  Rational  Defense  Act,  5 field  officers,  52  company 
officers. 

Graduates  of  foreign  service  schools  - one  field  officer,  2 company 
officers. 

— oOo- — 

TO  CHECK  AIR  NAVIGATION  MAPS 

' . . 

Two  Air  Corps  officers,  1st  Lt . Harold  G.  Peterson,  from  Mitchel  Field,  B.Y., 
and  2nd  Lt.  Elvin  F.  Maughan  from  Podt  Field,  Fort  Sill,  Okla. , are  now  on  tempo- 
rary duty  in  Washington  for  the  purpose  of  checking  air  navigation  maps. 

An  approved  Air  Corps  project  for  the  Fiscal  Year  1931  calls  for  the  compila-  j 
tion  and  printing  of  8 Air  Corps  strip  maps  covering  the  following  routes; 

: March -Field,  Riverside,  Calif.,  to  Yuma,  Arizona. 

Washington,  D.C.,  to  Fort  Bragg,  N.C. 

Montgomery,  Ala.,  to  Monroe,  Louisiana. 

Monroe,  Louisiana,  to  Dallas,  Texas,  via  Shreveport,  La. 

Dallas,  Texas,  to  Midland,  Texas. 

Midland,  Texas,  to  El  Paso,  Texas,  via  Pecos,  Texas.  '•  . " 

Fort  Sill,  Okla.,  to  Midland,  Texas. 

.Middletown, - Pa. , to  Buffalo,  N.Y.  ' • 

It  is  estimated  this  project  will  involve  about  a year’s  work,  the  'compila- 
tion work  on  each  map  requiring  approximately  six .weeks.  The  Engineering  Repro- 
duction Plant  in  Washington  makes  a compilation  of  maps  from  various  government  • 
sources  in- Washington,  and  the  Air' Corps  has  considered  it  desirable  i. that  each 
route  be  flight- checked  and  corrected  by  actually - checking  each  feature  ^'7hich  • 
can  be  used  as  a landmark,  in  order  to 'insure  -that  there  are  no  errors. 

It  is  proposed  that  the  two  officers  above  named  proceed  -first  to  check  the 
Middletown  to  Buffalo  .route,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  re turn. to  Washington  to 
discuss  the  procedure  they  employed  and  have  their  work  coordinated  by  the'  Office 
of  the  Chief  of  the  Air -Corps.  It  is  believed  that  with  the  experience  obtained 
by  these  officers  in  checking  the  first  strip  map  and  the  course  of  procedure  to 
be  followed  in  this  line  of ' work  definitely  established  they  would  be  qualified 
to  proceed  to  check  the  remaining  seven  maps. 

. -335- 


V-6089  AC 


NOTES  FROM  AIR  CORPS  FIELDS 
*->— » pOO'1— * 

Selfridge  Field.  Mich...  Oct,  glths- 

On  Oct.  24th  an  event  took  place  at  Selfridge  Field,  the k like  of  which  has 
never  been  seen  here  before,  namely,"  three  complete  tactical  squadrons  of  18 
planes  each,  .plus  a Headquarters  element  consisting  of-,. the  Group  Commander  and 
his  Staff , took  the  air  all  at  the  same  time  , and  engaged  in  a tactical  problem. 

On  Oct.  ;27th,.  the  17th  Squadron  flew  a' demonstration.. formation  over  Detroit 
to  help  the  local  Navy  personnel  to  celebrate  "Navy  Day"* 

Old  man  weather  stepped  in  the  other  day  and  took  a "mean  swipe"  at  Self- 
ridge  Field  and  vicinity,  kind  of  giving  us  a tpste  of  what1  s in  store  for  us 
in  the  future.  This  little  antic"  caused  a considerable  run  on  Air  Corps  Supply 
for  heavy  clothing.  1 

Speaking  of  tactical  training  a little  while  ago,  we  forgot  to  mention  that 
the  Group  is  doing  plenty.  We  afe  engaged  in  a /very.,  active  training  program,  • 
which  consists  of  two  periods  of  Group  training  each-  morning  and  a period  of 
Squadron  training  in  the  afternoon.  All  conceivable  Pursuit  tactics  are  being 
tried  out,  and  tactics  and  attacks  of  anything  from  single  ships  to  a group" are 
being  perfected. 

17th  Pursuit  Squadron . A . C . i On  October.  5 th,  Lieuts.  War  burton;  and  Burns 
departed  under  the  ;command  of  Lieut*  Richards  for  ’Seat tie, Wash,.,  to  ferry  hack 
three  new  P-lR’s.  On,  their  return  they  reported  a very  trying  trip  because  of 
the  fog  throughout  the  trip,,  but  alto  an  enjoyable  one*  . p . .... 

On  October.  18th,  .Capt.  Hoyt  departed  f oh  Seattle  in- command  of  an  element 
to  ferry  three  new;  P-12C?s  back  to  Self ridge.  Capt.  Hoyt  reported  perfect  fly-  : 
ing  weather  throughout  the  trip,  and  it  must  hate  been  because  he  returned  the 
following  Friday.  .....  ..  ...  • • Lpn;  : • 

On  a .personal.- cross-country,  Lieut .'^arburton 'found  that  landing  after -dark 
and  in  "a  snowstorm;  besides^  wasn®  t a very  good  policy,’  ..  He,  has;  decided  ;not:  to-  go.  ; 
on  any  more  for  a mo^th,-,  a father  opportune  decision  wq,  think.  . p l v ; 

Lieut.  Colemap  is  back'.  on  duty  agaiii'jaf  ter  tan  operation  fqr".  accute  ^append- 
icitis which  proved  to- be  very. ;:successfuli;  / /'  , ••  a: 

The  Squadron .now  . has. eighteen-  P-12C1 s.  Every  . one  is  . quite  elated,  aS  this 
is  the  first  time  in  a 'year  and  a-h&lf  that ;.  the"'!  7th  had  a ••full  squadron.  At 
the  present  time  we  have  more  airplanes  than"  pilots,  which  is  something  new.*  On 
the  18th,  Lieut.  Reed  flew  to." Eerth Carolina.,  'a.  trip -that,  had  been  planned  for  :: 
along  time.  Lieut.  jVanAukeh  Went  ”-tb New  '’Jersey'  the  same  week-end.  * ' 

Selfridge  Field  opened  its  first  season,  .of  football  as  a -post -team  oh  Oct- 
ober 11th,  when  they  ;met'fehe- Doughboy  'aggregation  from':  .Ft.  Wayne.  • Self  ridge 
wing  formation  B -had;  little."  trouble' in  running  up. a.  score.  .The  game  ended  51  - 0 . 
favor  of  Selfridge.  , " 

In  the  next  game  October’.  11  th,  was  with  an  independent  team  from  Port  Huron./ 
a little  too  much  confidence  oh"  the  part  of  Self ridge  and  . an  aggressive  team 
opposing  them  made  the  outcome doubtful.  '"Port  most  of '.its  yardage 

around  the  ends,  but  the  Fly ef S'1  defense  tightened  up.. at  the  crucial  moments. 

After  "some  hard  f ought  ^periods;:  the' game  ended/ 0/«  0,/ 

The  following  Sunday ridge  encountered /"Duffy"  Johnsonto  team  at  Scott 
Field.  The  game  started.  ;^ith 'a!  bahg;:'and  Selffidge,  scored  in:  the;;  first  quarter. 
Scott  tightened  up  :and;he.ld^SelfHdge  until  tjie  end  .bif  the  half,;  when' ; two  touch-: 
downs  were  scored;  .cne-.-aVpas-s  to-’ Meehan v Early  in  the  second  half , Scott  Scored 
on  a long  pass,  which  made'  it  19-7.  Self  ridge  got  mad  and  started  to  work.  . A ■ 
lateral  scored  a touchdown  and  again,  one  minute  before  the.  end  of  the  . game;  a / 
pass  behind  the  line-nettedhahother  '-shore; . ; Witon  ‘‘the /whistle . blew . it . -was.  SI*?©,- 
favof  of,  Self  ridge.  o "yo  h //  ;/  .."../'  ..’.O  ' • _ 

S0lf ridge  boasts  ;a:„lirght/  hard:  playing  ''btoMfiel.d,  and. an  aggressive  .line; 

The  wing  positions,  stand  improvement,  'but  ej|)efi'ehca  is  showing  results.  Lieuts. 
Meehan',  Harbo.ld  .and  Ramey  are  'act i:h#' as;  coabheS,  with' the-  managerial  end  being  ■ 
conducted  by  "dohnnie",;  A.Ti  $ohn§e'£ff  ::  '•'//”/.//  .•  ■ 

Self  ridge’  journeyed-*  to  fhahutb'.  to  meet  "Au^gle"' .Straubel1  s school  boys-' on 
November  2d,  and  the  re-sulf  was  •SUfeai  football  game.  / . 

Self ridge  got  .the  jump  at -the' start  and  began  a march  down  the  field.  Gha- 
nute  tightened  up  and.  .stepped  all  ’progfeb's’  when  a'.fumb.le  gave  the  ball  to : Ghariute 
on  the  twenty  yard  line."  . Ghanute  kicked' to  our  thirty  yard  line.  p Self  ridge  ■ 
took  the  ball  down  the  field  f. of  a 'seventy-yard  march,  where  Saums  /scored/-  "The  ■ 

'.  .’S f - V— 6089, A. C . 


kick  was 'blocked.  . 

In  the  second  quarter  Self f idge ' gbf ;. the  hall  on  the  fifty-yard  line  on  an 
exchange  of  kicks.  A pass,  Algren  to  Everett,  put  the  hall  Oh  Chanute5  s ten-yard 
line.  Chanute  f,hraced!l  and  "held  for  downs"  orj,  ;the.ir  .ope  foot. line.  Chanute  5.s. 
kick  went  out  of  hounds  on  their  own  twentv-7afd''linev'';'-';S-ei‘f  fidgd  -took  - the  ''-hall- 
over.  in  four  ..plays,  The  .kiqk  was  .again  blocked*  .At ..the  end. of  fhe  half  it  was 
12-0,  ‘;:f avor. 'hf  /Self ridge iP  fiie  .se.fiqnd ’half  ..opened"  wife  "Claanuth  ' reviving.  '’.  We. 
are ...not  “sure  .'.what.  '."A1^tiets;''told  iiis:-;S.dK6fqI''hp^fs;  1&‘ between  "the  'half  , 'hut  ‘theg ' 7 
certainltv‘ ‘'emerge d/with '.hlodd-' ihv''thei-r “eves.  .With  ;'Deriham'  'end  Griswold  hitting.' , 
the 'line  aiid 'catching.,  a.  short,  flat  pass, /.'.Chanute. inarched  to  Se'ifridge*$'  goal : ' 
line,  hut  were 'held.  Selfridge  got  off  !a  'poor  'kick,  leaving  Chanllte. 'wi'thi'h  the 
scoring  zone...  ..They  took ^.advai^t age  of  the  situation'  and  scored.  Griswold1-; scored 
the /extra'  point  on  aline  play,.  ..Denham  and  Griswold  again  featuring.  Seif  ridge  . 
received  the. kick  off  aii'd.  droppecl/it . After  two  line  attempts  Self  ridge,  kicked. 
Again"  Chanute  started  for 'the  goal' line,  hut  were  stopped.  Self  ridge  made  one  ~ 
march  hut  lost. the  hall  on  a dropped  pass, aver  the  end  zone  when  the  quarter  end- 
ed. The  fourth  quarter  was  a .defensive  /act  on  the  part  of  Self ridge.  Chanute 
was  '-after  .a  score  and  passes  wefe./fheif.. means  of  effecting  same.  They  reached 
Selfridge 5 s twenty-yard  line  with  fourth '.down  and  time  for  .one  play.  The  pass 
was  grounded  and  Selfridge  took  the  hall  on  their  own  twenty-yard  line  as  the 
game  ended  12-7. 

94th  Pursuit  Squadron. A. C. : 2d  Lieut,  Hugh . 0 . Coleman,  Air-Reserve,  re- 
ported for  duty  and  was  ’assigned  to  the  ,94th  Squadron.  He-l-s—a-  recent  -graduate 
of  Kelly  and  we.. 411  '.Extend  ‘our  wishes  f'o 1 his 'Success.  ' ' 

Lieut.  A.T.  Johnson,  flying""a' Douglas  C-l;  had  a forced' "stay  at  "Chanute 
Field,  while  en  route  to  Self ridge.  He . Was  in  charge  uf  ' the  Post  football  team 
on  its  invasion  of  ’ Scott  ; Field, ' and  ' Was '':hd.mewar'.d' hound,/  engine  trouble 
developed,  '.s//  /./.;'//  ’,/."/.//  f’  !•'.  /'I  '.'I/'''  '7/'/'.  7 

The  following  prhmo’t'iO'ns  'ihHhe 'neh-bcmniis;sibhed  grades  were  made  on  .Oct.,  ' 

4 th,  To  Staff  .Sgts*:  Sgts..  Imery  De.slqges?.  Qharles  Jauga  and  William  Ho  finin';  ■' ' 

To  Serge  ants  S' /Cpl's.  '.Edwin'  B'aketfj.''  '‘Atf  fed  Strom'"  'and  Edward . Bruce . To  Corporals : 
William  Schultz?  Richard  Elliot'?  Charier ;Schat 8 and  John  Anderson, 

57th  Service  Squadron,  A.’C.  ? ■ The'Wfh  Sery ice  Squadron  .gave  a dinner  in ' the' 
squadron  mess  on  October  20th  in  honor  6f  Lieut,  and  Mrs..  Walter  B.  Richards  on 
the  eve  of  their  departure  for  their  nCf  station,  at  /Mather  Field, ' Calif . The  en- 
listed personnel  and  the  if  Wives,  had.’ dll  .off  iier's . and  ladies  of  the  squadron  as 
guests.  ' Capt.  Riderick  Iff  Ott,.  ! the  Sdt^drori^Commandef,  acted  as  master  of  cer- 
emonies and  presented  Lieut . ‘Richards  "with  a wrist.  Watch  from  the  men  in  the 
squadron,  /'/"’  / / / .*/"'';  ■.  . '/:  ' / ';  ' ’ • . ' ;i 

The  first  streaks  of.  gl.qdmy  :&awh  that  ho  rey  the  '.announcement,  of  the  month 
of  October,  gave  no  hintfo'f . 'the'  "rose ate  thifty /dajfs;  the  27th  Squadron  was  to  ex- 
perience. The  condition,;  title  hohored  and  accepted  hy  pustom,  in  which  anxious 
pilots  clamored  for  ships ' that'  did  not  exist  was ; yet  in  effect?  and  veteran 
crew  chiefs  sadly  carassed  present  wrenches  grown  rusty  from  disuse.  Ho  mark 
of ' distinction  had' been  ;hestowed/upon;''any  of  ‘a  dozen  ’Illustrious  pilots -for  the 
preceding,  month.  In  shorty  things  looked /anything  hut  bright ’for  the  /Squadron. 

It  is  a , long  lane  that  ..hap ' no  . turning,  ho'Weyef  ,'  'and'  'scarcely-  was  'the  month 
under  Way'  Wheh  'tlie  'Gods  of  fortune ; turned  upon  us ''the  ; smile  that  had  lasted  for  ’ 
the  remainder,  of  . the  mon^h, ^frpt/in  ‘this''  avalanche /of  fortune  was  the  announce- 
ment ..that  §i’f  the ’";P-i.'Vs,..oii/t'he  field  were  to  h ebonfe  the  property 'of  the  squadron, 
For/the  fifst.  time  ..in "'thh  'h'iltory  "of ' aviation,  the  j|7th.  Squadron  sallied  forth 
on  the  foggy'  fields', of  sham-hat'tle  with  "it's  full  'Shamming  force  of  eighteen 
airplanes.  ; 7 , : /'"/  //  ' 7'7;  "/  '-/;'.  " ' . « ' ' 

The  Squadron5  s erasing'  for.  'its'  normal  ’ 'share  of  distinguished  -pilots  has  been 
satisfied,  and  more.  .The. /first  and  ma&t  distinguished  of  these  honored  men  was 
2nd  Lieut.  C.L*  ' Brignail‘»;  Who,  by’ judiciary  con'dd6t:;'’on'’the  local  Golf 'Links,  was 
appointed  Golf  Aide  and  given.  Golf  Leave.  Lieuts.,  (jeorge  F.  Smith  -and  Bryant  L.' 
Boatner  were  unanimously' "veledted''.Sq;uadron  .Playboys  ‘in  Honor  of ' distinguished 
’cross-coiin.try  work.  "/'Lle'uff  Didst er  Was  ''©iecte'd:'.peftoahynt  Pies i dent,  of  the  Lost 
and  Found  By  Telephone  01111"%  virtue  of  recent  ;h%fgati’on  ..research  over;  the- 
barren  wastes  of  Central . Michigan.  Lieut,  Wife.; 'Morgan  ‘has  proven  beyond  doubt- 
the'  value  of  his  heretofore  doubted  smoke  aandle ''pibcess^  This  process  says 
the  originator  "can  easily  be  adopted  to  dryg'erods  stores  and  stock  rooms ", 

Lieuts.  Davis  and  .McGul5?e‘/^ife  practically  Completed  an  invention  that ’will,  we 
are'  told,  revolutionize  i%/:t;actical  situation,'  '.This  . invention -will,  by  tie  /use1 
of  sponge  rubber  bullets,'  decide  the  critique"'conductor.  ‘ Ho  more  will-'  the  state- 
' ' '-'3S7r-  V-6 089,A.C.  ; : ' 


ments  "be  doubted  when  an  irate  element  leader  shouts  that  he  shot*  down.!  the'  First 
Plight.  .•  . '■  • '•  ” ' 

Capt . IJessle'^Jiaa..  rapidly  assumed  • command'  of"  the-  27th  Squadron  and  assures 
us  that  in  the.- .future,  this  organization  will  uphold : traditions  and  will  maintain 
the  same  remarkable  standards  of  ; conduct  and  efficiency.' 

'Luke  Field,  T-.ff. October  10th':  ‘ V ' . 

Capt.  George  P.  Johnson, A. C. was.  ordered  back  'to  < the  mainland’  on . the  Novem- 
ber 15th  Transport,  - and  assigned  t'o -Langley  Pie-Id*'  Va.  *’  Capt.  Johnson  .was  Com- 
manding Officer  cf  the  23d  Bombardment  Squadron-'  ahd  then- made  Commanding  Officer 
of  the  4th  Observation  Squadron,  when  that  organization5 s commander  sailed  for 
•the  mainland.  „ •.  • ' 

Capt.,  Ulysses  G.  Jones,  A.C. , assumed  command"  of  the  4th  Observation  Squad- 
ron vice, Capt.  George  P.  Johnson,  : " ; ...  ' ' 

1st  Lieut.  Harold  P.  Rouse,  has  just  -completed  a two  months1  ’course  ‘at  'the 
Cooks  and. Bakers  School,  Schofield  Barracks,  T.H.  •.  ' 

Upon  the  formation  of  two  new  .organizations  at  Wheeler  Pi eld,  three  officers 
were  transferred  from  Luke  Pi  eld  - 1st  Lieuts.'  Robert  H.  'Pinley-j  John  H.  Dulligan 
and  2nd  Lieut.  P.  Edgar  Cheatle.  .i  . - 

Tech.Sgt Gabriel.  KLemp,  who  was  retired  ■ from  : the  Military  Service  on  July 
, 31st  last,  was  killed  in.  an  automobile  'accident  in  Honolulu.  Sgt.  Klemp  had 
been -in' charge  of  the  parachute  department  for  a few  years  prior  to  his  retire- 
ment. Although  he  became  separated  from  the  -service,  he  accepted  & Civil  Ser- 
vice appointment  and  remained  in  charge  of  that  department . His  untimely  loss 
is  felt  keenly  by  his  many  friends  and  admirers  to  .whom  he  was  known  as  -’’Tony11 . 

On  Sept.  17th  the  following  promotions  of  non-commissioned  officers,  were 
announced.  -TO:  SERGEANT i Cpl, , A.  J. , O'ldzanowiez,  TO  'CORPORAL.?  Pvt-.  1st  Cl.  Oscar 
Morrissette*  in  the:  23d  -Squadron.  ' .On' the  22d  the  folio-wing  promotions  Were  an- 
..nounced  in  , the  72.d  Squadron.'  - -TO^STAPP. .SERGEANT :» :Sgt.  J.  Robinson.  TO-- SERGEANT: 
Cpl.  J.J.  , Schmidt,.  . TO CORPORAL Pvt . 1st  Cl.  E.G.  Burdett'and  Pvt.  J;L.  Donley. 
•On  Oct ..  8 th,  SgtsRus.s©li'.M.-  Highley  was '’.promoted' to  Staff  Sergeant,  65th  Squadron 

Training  for  September  consisted  of  practice  flights  of ; pilots ' to  maintain 
..their  proficiency  and  flights  for  training  of  "aircraft 'chew's,  including  armament , 
administration,  airplane  mechanics  and  other  duties* of  enlisted  personnel.  All 
non-commissioned  of fibers  received  instruction  in  physical  training,  and  the 
troops  -received,  instructions  ; in  ': close  order  drill.  - : : 

Nineteen  non-commissioned  officers  were  selected • to ‘take  a course  in  Aer- 
ial Gunnery.  : Lieut,  E.G.'- - .Johnson. -is  in  charge  of  the' instruction.  They  have 
completed  . the  ..ground  .course  thi s .month  and -hope to  fire  the' prescribed  course 
from- the ;:re,ar  cockpits  of  the 'LB-6.- 'Bombers  during 'the  coming  month. 

On  SeiDt ember  27th,  ten  new  Observation  airplanes  arrived  at  this  station. 
Members  of  Luke  Pield  had  been  waiting  a long  time  for  the  new  ships.  The  first 
test  flight  was  made  with  1st  Lieut . John  W.  Warren. -at'-  the--  controls . These 
planes  are  for  the  50th  Observation  Squadron,  which  will  be  reorganized  in  the 
near  future-.  ' 

Inten^sqnadron  .competition' for 'the:  KUNTZ--MOSES  athletic  Memorial  Trophy 
commenced. ..on  ’the!"  29.th,...when  -'the1  Basketball '-L&ajgue-'  opened.  --Teams  repiedehting. 
Staff 4th,r  23d, ■ 65th' and  72d- Squadrons,  - and' -the  ‘Recruit-  Training  Center  are/ 

• entered,:..-;  The-,  playing  this  year  has- been -exceptionally  good.  'The  present'  "g land- 
ing of  -the  .League,  is  as  follows!  23d- Sq.1  Won' 3'-,  Lost  1;  65th  Sq.  2-1“';  4th  Sq. 
1-1;  Staff  1-2;  72cL  Sq.  1-3;  R.T-.C.  0-2.  • ' 

-The  Seetpr  Volley.  Ball  League,  with  teams'  representing  Ports,  Shafte.r,  Be- 
Rus-sy,  Armstrong,  .Ruger , Kamehameha  and  Luke  * Pield  have  just  completed'  the  first 
half.  Luke  Pield  isn’t  far  behind,  and  we  still  ho]be  to  carry  away  ..the  '/ho  nor  s. 
The  standing1  of  the  League  is  as  follows!  Pt Shafter  won  4,  lost  Oy  Luke  Pield 
5-1;  Pt.  Earn.,  2-1;  Pt.  Armstrong,  1-2;  Pt,  BeRussy,  1-4;  • Pt.  Ruger;  0-4. " 

Nelly  Pield.  San  Antonio,  Texas.  Nov.'  '5th?  ' • • ' 

Ma j . Willis  Hale  and  Lieut.  Arthur  Ennis  of  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the 

Air  Corps;  €a,pt , Ralph  Weems  and  Lieut.  James  T.  Curry  of  Langley  Pield,.  Va. , 

and  five  officer  observers  from  Pt.  Sill,  Okla.yLsfere  visitors  at  Kelly  "Pield 
this  week.  5Chey  came  to  witness  the  bombing  tests  at  Camp  Stanley. 

Capt.  J,K.  Cannon  and  Lieut.  O.P.  Wey-land  left  Kelly  Pield  Oct.  31st,  by 
rail,  for  Wright  Pield,.  Bay  ton,  0.,  for  the  purpose  of  testing  experimental 

. - 338  - V~6089,A,C. 


; airplanes. at-: that,  station. 

Lieut-General  Werner  .von  Blomberg,  Commander  of  the  First  Divisionlof  the 
•.German  Ariny,  accompanied,  by.  Col.  Erich/Kuhlenthal , 0-2  of  the  German"- General 
. Staff , was  a visitor,  at;  Kelly  Field,  Monday,  Oct 20th.  He  was  received:  with 
the  customary  camion,  salute '.and  inspected  the  activities,  of  the  Post.  Anr Attack 
and  Pursuit  formation  gave  an  exhibition  of  tactical  flying  for  the  visitors. 

Maj.  C.L.  Tinker,  Assistant  Commandant : of  the  Advanced  Flying  School*  and 
Major  S.E.  Brown, M.C.,  Kelly  Field  Flight  Surgeon,  left  Kelly  Field  last  week 
for  their  new  station.-;  Mather  -Field,  ' Gal  if  . 

Lieut.  Y.H.  Taylor  returned- to; Kelly  Field  from  leave  of  absence,  Oct. 30th. 

Lieut.  J.R.  Drumm  returned  to '.Kelly' Field  after  two  and  onefhalf  months 
leave  of  absence.  ,'  • . ; 

Lieut.  H.R.  Baxter  has  returned  from  a sixty-day  leave.  . 

The  following-named  enlisted  men-  of  .Kelly., Field  have  gone  to  Chanute  Field, 
111.,  to  take  the  course  at  the  Air  Corps. Technical  Schools  Pvts.  E.H.  Mooring, 

. C.H.-  Williams.,  W.K,  Kiltner;  and  A.E'.  Pfinninger. . • 

Sgt.  Fred  A. Lindsey, . a member  of  the.  Air  Corps  Training  Center  Band,  left 
Kelly  Field  for  f 6 reign  service  at  Panama. 

. Congratulations  of  the  entire  40th  School  Squadron  go  to  Staff  Sgt.  Albert 
B.  Burt  who  was  married  Oct.  21st. 

Pvt.  Lawrence.  E.  Todd,  41st' School  Squadron,  returned'  to  Kelly  Field  from 
Chanute  Field, . Ill* where  he  took -a  course '.at  the  Air  Corps  Technical  School. 

A Hallowe’ en-j dance  for  enlisted. men  was  held  at  the  Kelly  Field  hostess 
house  on  the -night  of, Oct.  30th. 

Fort  Crockett.  TpXas.  Oct.  15th: 

The.  Ft. Crockett  football  team,  8th  Corps.  Area- champs  for  1929,-  played  two 
more  games..  .The  Second  game  Of  the  season,  was  with  the  strong. Beaumont  Toggery 
team  and  ended  in.  a 6-6  tie,  :.The  third  game- of.  the  season  was  with  the  Brooks 
Field  eleven  and.  resulted  in  a.  7-7  tie,.  Both  teams  were, unable  to  open,  up  on 
account  of  - a sticky>-  muddy  field.  Although' the  .Crockett  eleven  used  a defensive 
-policy  throughout  the;  game,  : in  an  attempt  to  wear ; their  opponents;,  down,  they 
were. not  outplayed  in'  a si ngle-  quarter.  Everything  points  toward  another  suc- 
cessful- season  .for  the  Et. ' Crockett  team.,-  7.- 

. Six  planes  of  the  Third...  At  tack  Group,  led  by.  Maj.  Davenport  Johnson,  flew 
to  Aberdeen,  Md. , recently,  ' where  they?, participated  in; the  Ordnance  pay  Exer- 
;',ci.Ses;.held  there  Oct.:  9,  10  and  11.  ; - r : 

The. Third  Attack  Group  is -receiving  si^.new  officers,  recent  graduates  from 
Kelly  Field.  They  are:  2nd  Li  guts.  Robert  .A.  Bolyarcl,  Roscoe  R*  Burley,  Charles 
E.  Causer,  Walter  C»  Kent,  Samuel  S.  Huckols  and  John  M.  Schweizer,  Air  Corps 
..-Reserve.  y.-  ..  : . 

-Fort  Crockett, - Texas..  Hot.  1st;  ,-  y 


The  Et.  Crockett  football  team  suffered  some  severe  beatings  in  their  last 
two  games.-  ..On.Oct.  19th  they,  nie'ty. the  Little  Hurricanes  in  the:  first  game  for 
the  city  championship  and  were  swsmped  to  the  , tune,  of  .15-0.  They  were  favorites 
to-  win  by  a twelve  .point,  lead  before  .-the  game;:  On  Oct..  26-j;h. ,they  lost  torthe 
■Houston  Sporting  Goods  eleven  by  a score, of  7-6.  .The  Flyers  appear;  to  have  lost 
all  spirit  and  interest  but, nevertheless,  they  ;are  working. -hard  and  snap  out 
of  it  by  the  time  the  tournament  starts . at  Ft Sam  Houston. : The;  line  has  ;been 
Strengthened  .with  the  addition  of  Walter  C.  Kgnt,  2d  Lt.,  A.C.-R.,,  who  arrived 
from  Kelly  Field  a short  time  ago.  He  is  coaching.  theL line  now -.and  his  excel- 
lent work -is-  showing  results,  ,.  : - p ■■■.'.  .7 

The  distinctive  charm  of . simple  elegance  prevailed  . in  the- bridal;.- setting  of 
Mr.  and, Mrs.  Thomas  R;  Hancock*  s .handsome  .home  on  Wednesday:  evening*  Oqt . 29th, 
for  the  wedding  of  their  daughter,  Lucille  Winnifred,  whose  marriage  to  Lieut. 
Robert  K.  Taylor,  3d  Attack  Group,  was  solemnized. at  7:30  P.M.  ,;Ampng  those  in 
attendance  were  Lieut.  Dick  Reeves,  best  man?  Lieut s.  Dave  Ramsey,  Oscar  Beal, 
Frank  Everest,  and 'Ralph  Stearly.  y y;;; 

San  Antonio  Air  Depot , Duncan  Field.  Texas.  Oct.  27th:-:  ' - 

During  their  recent  visit  of  inspection  of  the  .Air  Corps  .Training  Center 
at  San  Antonio, Brig. -General  Benjqmin  D..  .Foulqis,  of;  tjhe:  Air  Corps, 

-.339  - 7-6089, A. C. 


and  Major  W.G.  Ki lifer.,  Executive-,  Office,  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  : Corps,  were 
guests  of  Brig. -General  Charles  H.  Danforth,  Coiamaruling  General  of  the  Air  Corps 
■ Training  Center,  and  Major  A.-W.  Bobbins,  Comniandihg  Officer  of  this  Depot,  re- 
spectively, and  were  also  guests  at  a luncheon  given  at  the  Depot  oh  October 
'7thi  in  connection  with  the  regular  monthly  conference  held  at  this  Depot  on 
supply  /and;  maintenance.'  in  this  Area. 

Oji  Oct.- 15«h  the  Depot  received  the  honor  of  a visit  from  Lieut. -General 
von  Blomberg  and  Col.  Huehlenthal,  of  the  General  Staff  of  the  German  Army,  who 
were  interested  in  viewing  the  activities  of  the  Engineering  Shops  of  this 
Depot  while  on  their  recent  formal  visit  to  Ft.  Sam  Houston  and  the  Air  Corps 
Training  Center. 

Maj.  M.E.  Davis  and  1st -Lieut.  L.P. .Whitten  of  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of 
the  Air  Corps,  visited  this  Depot  on  Sept,  ,09th'  and  Oct.  6th,  respectively, 
ferrying  0-11  airplanes  to  this  Depot  from  the  Boston  Airport,  Boston,  Mass., 
and  leaving  here  by  rail  for  the  Douglas  Airplane  Co.’s  factory  at  Santa  Monica, 
Cal.  ' 

. Maj.  Charles  M.  Boberts,  Commanding  Officer  of  the  San  Antonio  Arsenal, 
ahd  1st  Lieut .- J.L;  Holman,  of  that  establishment,  were  informal  visitors  at 
this  Depot  on  Oct.  10th,  being  desirous  of  examining  certain  technical  opera- 
tions in  our  Engineering  Shops. 

Maj*  Bobert  W,.  Grow,  12  th  Cavalry,  Mrs,  Grow  and  the  if  young  son,  Bobert  M, 
of  Et.  Brown,  Texas,  spent  the  week-end  of  Oct.  18-19  as  guests  of  Capt.  Warner 
B.  Gates  and  family  at  this  pepot. 

Capt.  Victor  H.  Strahm  and  2nd  Lieut.  -Thayer'S.  Olds,  A.C.,  were  visitors 
at'  this  Depot  on  Sept.  26th,  from  Selfridge  Field,  Mich.,  ferrying  in  two  P-1B 
planes,  and  leaving  here  by  rail  for  the  .Boeing  Aircraft  Co.-’s  plant  at  Seattle, 
Wash.  ■■  , 

Capt.  D.P.  Muse  of  Maxwell  Eield,  Ala.,  en  route  on  cross-country  from  that 
station  to  March  Field,  Calif.,  stopped  over  at  this  Depot,  Oct.  16th  to  19th 
for  engine  repairs. 

1st  Lieut.  YJm.lT,  Amis  of  the  Air  Corps  Materiel  Division  Headquarters, 

Wright  Field,- Ohio,  visited  this  Depot,  Oct.  15th  and  16th  on,  cross-country  and 
conferred  With  officers  of  the  Depot  on  airplane  and  engine  overhaul  matters, 
leaving  here  Oct.  17th  for  Et. Crockett,  Texas. 

Capt.- Walter  H.  Be  id,  A.  C.,  Instructor  with  the  36’th-  Division  Aviation, 

Texas  National  Guard*  Houston,  ferried  a BT-1  plane  of  thdt  organization  to 
'this  Depot, -for  repairs, ' on  Oct.  21st. 

.2d  Lieut*  Charles  K.  Moore, Et. Sill,  Gkla.,  Was  on  temporary  duty  at  this 
Depot  Sept.  22d  to  30th,  conferring  on  and  studying  Air-Corps  supply  matters. 

Lieut.  Charles  H.  Payne,  Ha.val  Air  Beserve,  accompanied  by  Capts.  Eloyd  A, 
Wilson  and  James  L„  Giffin,  Air  Corps  Beserve;  on  cross-country  in  a-  Pan-Amer- 
ican Bellanca  monoplane  from  Mexico  City,  stopped  here  Oct,  23d  for  emergency 
repairs  to  their  equipment. 

Congratulations  are-  in  order  for,  Capt.  Charles  E.  Branshaw,  our  Chief  En- 
gineer Officer,  on  his  promotion  from  1st  Lieut.,-  received,  on  Oct.  6th. 

1st  Lieut.  Thomas -H.  Chapman  and  family  are  a recent  addition  to  this  Dep  o 
pot’s  circle,  having  been  welcomed  back  bn  Aug.  17th  from  a toqr  of  foreign  ser- 
vice in  the  Philippines.  They  are  no  strangers  to  this  vicinity,,  as  Lieut.  Chap- 
man was  on  duty  at  this  Depot  for  over  three  years  prior  to  his  Philippine  tour. 
While  on  route  to  this  station,  Lieut,  and  Mrs.  Chapman  were  the -recipients  of 
congratulations  upon  the  arrival  of  a little  daughter,  Olga  Mary,  born  at  San 
Francisco  on  Aug.  6th„  : ’ 

Capt,  Joseph  W.  Timmons,  Jr.,. our  Quartermaster,  returned  to  the  Depot  on 
Oct.  7th  from  a leave  of  absence., of.  about  two1  months  on  a visit-  to  Montana. 

Bockwell  Eield.  Coronado.  Calif. , Oct.  15  th:  • 

General  Eechet  landed  at  Bockwell  Field  on  Oct.  -6th  for  a short  conference 
with  local  officials..  The  General  flew  solo,  ferrying  one  of  the  new  BT2-B 
ships  to  the  e&st  coast. 

An  aerial  review,  and  demonstration  by  'the  7th  Bombardment  Group  was  can- 
celled at  his  request.  General  Eechet  left  this  station  on  the -7th  continuing 
his  flight  eas-t.  . ■ . - . 

Bockwell  Eield  officers  were  given  the  opportunity  to  observe  bombing  ex- 
periments conducted  by  the  Wavy  on  Oct.  8,  9 and  10th.  Two  de-commissioned 
destroyers  were  used  as  target’s  for  light  bombs  and  machine  gun  fire.  Fifteen 

’ - 340  - V-6089,A. C. 


officers  were  guests  of  the  iJavjr- each.,  day  on  "board  the  aircraft' tender  "Aroos- 
took" . The  experiments  were  very  successfully  carried  out  and  were  highly  edu- 
cational to  those  who  witnessed  them. 

On  Oct.  7th,  Lieut.  William  Groen,Jr.,  of  Rockwell  Field,  took  as  his  bride 
Miss  Mabel  Simmons  of  Whittier,  Calif, 

Lieut.  Croen  graduated  from  the  Air  Corps  Hying  School  on  Oct.  12,1929,  and 
was  ordered  to  Rockwell  Field,  where  he  is  on  duty  with  the  11th  Bombardment 
Squadron'.  Three  members  of  his  squadron,  Lieuts.  R.E.  Selff,  R.K.  Urban  and  C.B, 
Davis,  were  in  attendance  at  the  wedding,  landing  somewhat  of  a military  atmos- 
phere. 

Lieut,  and  Mrs.  Groen  are  now  at  home  to  their  many  friends  in  their  Coro- 
nado residence. 

A dance  in  honor  of  Maj . and  Mrs.  Barton  K.  Yount  was  held  at  the  Officers’ 
Club  on  Oct,  10th.  The  Club  was  attractively  decorated  with  potted  palms,  ferns 
and  pepper  boughs.  A six-piece  orchestra  furnished  music  for  the  occasion. 

Tliis  was  the  first  dance  held  at  the  Club  for  some  time,  and  all  enjoyed 
themselves  immenselj7-.  The.  entertainment  committee  is  planning  other  lively  af- 
fairs in  the  no t-too -distant  future. 

Dieut.  S.K.  Robinson,  tennis  representative  of  the  Post,  is  quite  busy  col- 
lecting a team  to  enter  in  the  newly  formed  Bay  City  Tennis  League. 

Considerable  interest  has  been  shown  in  tennis  by  the  Post  Officers,  and 
Rockwell  will  be  creditably  represented.  Future  matches  are  planned  with  teams 
from  Crissy  and  March  Fields. 

The  95th  Pursuit  Squadron  received  seven  of  the  new  Boeing  P-12C’s.  These 
ships  have  been  painted  with  the  squadron  insignia  and,  in  addition,  the  flights 
to  which  they  have  been  assigned  have  them  all  decked  out  in  flight  colors. 

Ships  that  were  assigned  to  flight  and  element  leaders  are  rapidly  being  equip- 
ped with  two-way  radio  sets. 

"A”  Flight  of  the  95th  Pursuit  Squadron  has  completed  ground  gunnery.  Mine 
pilots  fired  both  preliminary  and  record.  The  entire  course  was  completed  in 
nine  flying  days.  .Due  to  the  short  time  allotted  for  practice  and  adverse-  gun- 
nery weather,  the  scores  made  were  not  as  high  as  could  be  expected. 

Lieut,  Joseph  G.  Hopkins,  95th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Rockwell  Field,  received 
orders  from  the  War  Department,  transferring  him  to  Mather  Field,  Sacramehto, 
for  duty  there,  Lieut.  Hopkins’  attended  Columbia  University  for  two  year's.  •'  He 
served  on  the  Mexican  IBorder  in  1917,  and  in'  the  27th  Division,  A-. -E.F.  in  1918. 
In  1925,  he  was  graduated  from  the  Air  Corps  Flying  School  and  was  sent  to  Self- 
ridge Field,  Mich,  For  the  past  two  and.  one-half  years  Lieut,  Hopkins  has  been 
at  Rockwell  Field,  He  was  married,  to  Miss  Ernestine  Hunker  last  December. 

It  is  with  deep  regret  that  we  bid  "Hoppy”  adieu  and  trust'  he  will  drop-  in 
to  see  the  "old  gang"  often, 

' 

Fairfield  Air  Depot.  Ohio.  Uov.  IstS 

Maj.  A.L.  Sneed  departed  Oct.  27th  for  Sahta  Monica,  Calif.,  from  which 
place  he  will  ferry  an  airplane  back  to  this  station. 

Capt.  Edward  Laughlin  has  been  commanding  the  Post'  during  Maj.  Sneed’s 
absence, 

Lieut.  Frederick  M.  Hopkins,  Jr. , A. C. , and  Lieut.  Kenneth  S.'  Stice,  S'.’C., 
made  a cross-country  trip  to  Cleveland,  on  Oct.  28th  for  the  purpose  of  visiting 
the  meteorological  station  at  the  Municipal  Airport. 

Lieut.  Hugh  A.  Bivins  spent  a fourteen-day  leave  of  absence  hunting  in 
Horth  Carolina. 

Capt.  John  L.  Corbett,  Post  Quartermaster,  returned  from  Texas  - on  Oct.  25th, 
where  he  has  been  recovering  from  hay  fever  and  asthma. 

2nd  Lieut.  Harvey  C.  Eads,  Air  Reserve,  completed  a two-weeks'  tour  of  ac- 
tive duty  on  Oct,  30th, 

Mrs.  James  Hunt  gave  an  interesting  talk  on  contract  bridge  at  the  Army 
Bridge  Club  which  was  held  on  Oct,  21st  at  Side  Slip  Inn. 

The  second  dance  of  the  season,  a ’’Tacky”  Hallowe'en  dance,  sponsored  by 
the  Wilbur  Wright  Officers’  Club,  was  held  at  Side  Slip  Inn  on  Oct.  31st. 

The  Station  Supply  Officer,  Lieut.  John  A.  Austin,  A. C.,  reports  that  the 
main  Station  Supply  Stock  Room  located  in  the  new  Engineering  Shops  Building 
is  now  in  operation.  The  Mon-Expendible  Record  Section  and  the  Receiving  & 
Shipping  Section  are  getting  ready  to  move  into  their  new  quarters. 

-'341  - V-6089, A. C. 


Following  are  a few  of  the  visitors  in  Repast.  'two.  weeks! 

lieut.  McConnell,  Norton  Field,  flew  in  for  some ‘minor  repairs  on  Oct.  30th. 

Lieut,  Downey  with"" -eight  passengers  in.a-C-7  airplane  departed  from  this  sta- 
tion for  Dolling  Field  .on  a cross-country  mission  from  Mitchel  Field  on  the  30th. 
. Capt.  Foss,  Chanute  Fieldj  aiid  Lieut.o  Asp. ,F.A.D. , departed  on  a cross-coun- 
try mission  on  Rogers  Field  on  the  30th. 

Lieut.  Wright  ,ajid  Lieut.  Meyer  from  Marshall  Field,  flew  in  to  this  station 
for  .major  overhauls  on  PT-1  planes.' 

Lieut.  Longfellow  stopped  en  route  from,  Scott  Field  to  Bolling  Field  o#  the 
11th  of  October. 

Lieut.  Hewitt,  Little  Hock*  Ark.,-  arrived  for  major  overhaul  on  an  02-H  air- 
plane on  Oct.  18th. . 

Lieut,  Humphreys , Selfridge  Field,  flew  to  F.A.D.  on  Oct.  17th  for  a major 
overhaul  on  a P-1'C  airplane. 

Lieut..  Morrison  with  Pvt.  Erard  from  Detroit,  Mich.,  arrived  October  17th  on 
<<a  cross-country  mission. 

- Lieut*  Griffith,  Self ridge.  Field,  arrived  Oct.  27th  at  this  station  for  a 
major  overhaul  on  a C-S  airplane. 

'^France  Field,.'  Panama  Canal  Zone.  Oct.  11th;  / 

Although  the  new  Fo'reign  Service . Two-Year  - Policy  threatened  to.  decimate  the 
post  as  far  as  enlisted  personnel  was  concerned, _ local  expectations  were- rather 
upset,  inasmuch  as.  the  total  strength  of  the  Field  continues  more  than  that  • 
authorized.  ...Each  month  finds  .France  Field  well  represented  at  the  Casual.  Camps, 
but  the  transports  slated  to  carry  men  back  also  bring  fairly  large  detachments 
of  new  men.  : ...  . • 

The  comminssioned  personnel  has  proven  an  exception'.  Three  Air  Corps' of- 
ficers "were  .reassigned- to  .posts  in  the  United-  States  and  only  one  replacement 
was  entered  on  the  Officers. l:  ..Roster,  qMajoT  Roy  Brown  was  relieved  from  France 
Field  and  assigned,  to  the  2d  Corps  Area,  Governors'  Island,.  N.Y.  1st  Lieut-. 
Malcolm  Stewart  was 'sent  to-  Chanute  Field,  111.,  .while  1st  Lieut..  E.E..  Harmon 
will  be  located  at  Mitchel  Fields  N.Y.  Maj,  G.R.  .Tressel,  the  Field's  Dental 
Officer  was  relieved  and  sOhd  to . Madison  Barracks-,  N.Y. 

1st  Lieut.  R.E.  Nugent,  formerly , of.  the- 20  th  tBombar.dment-  Squadron,  Langley 
Field,  Fa.,  is  the  new  Air  Corps  Officer  to  arrive . He  was  assigned- to  the- 25th 
"Bombardment  Squadron . The  Quartermaster  Corps  was  supplemented  by  1st  Lieut. 
Charles  F.  Fletter,  who  comes  to  the  field  ps.. Officer  in  Charge  of -new  construc- 
tion. - ' ' 

The  baseball  season  is  now  . well  under  -way  with  the  teams  of  various -organ- 
izations battling  for  first  place  in  the  Inter-Squadrop  League;  The: opening 
game  was  an  epic  that  qualified  for  a chapter  in  Post  history.  The  63d  Service 
"Squadron  and  the  25th  Bombardment  Squadron  provided  nines  for  the  initial  effort. 
The  Affair  was  a ball  game  'until  the-, fourth  inning  when,  with  the  bases  full, 
Pvt.  Bowman'of  the  Service  Team.,  knocked  a high  one  into  deep.  left,  and,  inciden- 
tally, into  the  top  of.  a Palm  tree,-  The::  fielders,  • including-  right,-'  were  still 
looking  for  the  ball  when  Bowman,  topped. -the  home  platter,  bringing  -three  men  in 
before  him.  The  ball  is  still  in  the  tree  and  the  Service  men  took  the  gome 
19-3.  •/ 

1st  Lieut,  Robert  T.-  Zane,  formerly  of  the  25th  Bombardment ' Squadron,  was 
relieved  from  the  squadron -.and  placed  on  DOL  as- Aviation  Advisor  to  Governor 
Burgess  of  the  Panama  Canal*  Lieut.  Zane  is  now:  stationed  at  Balboa* 

The  following  changes  took  place  among  enlisted  personnel! 

'7th;  Observation  Squadron!  St.Sgt.  Peacock  assigned  to-  E:t . Crockett, Texas ; 

St; Sgt  q. Thacker  ..to  Mitchel  Field, N.Y.;  Mr.Sgt.-  Butcher  arrived  froin  Bolling 
Field,  Washington,  D.C.  ( 

24th  Pursuit  Squadron!  Mr.Sgt.-  Haney  assigned  to  Langley  Field,  Fa., 

St.Sgt.  Mai del  to  Marshall  Field,  Hans. 

25th  Bombardment  Squadron-.: ySt.Sgt.  Adcock  assigned  to  Maxwell  Field,  Ala.; 
St.Sgt.  Rice  „tb  Selfridge -Field,  Mich.;  St.Sgt.  Parker  from  furlough  in  U.S'^ 
to  Kelly  Field,  Texas.-,  . .•  * 

63d  Service  Squadron;’  St.Sgt,  Leonard  assigned  to  Brooks  Field,  Texas; 
St.Sgt.  Schuler  to  Bolling  Field,  D.C,;  St.Sgt.  Carroll  arrived  from  Brooks 
-Field,  Texas;  St .Sgt . Peter qon  from  Bolling  Field,  Washington,  D.C. 

...  •’  -342~‘"‘  F~6tf89,A.C. 


Mitchel  Field.  L.I.,H.Y.,,  Oct,  3d: . 

Report  has  it  that  the  Major-Inspector,  who  dropped  in  to  look. ud  over  last 
week,  landed  his  Amphibian  with. the  wheels  up.  The  inspection,  was,  however, 
contrary  to  all  expectations  in  view  of  the  accident,  very  thorough.  And  so, 
partly  in  the  spirit  of  revenge  end  mostly  "because  we  feel  the  honor  richly  de- 
served, we  are  polishing  up  our  dumb  ell  for  a trip  to  Washington. 

The  1st  Squadron  spent  twenty  days,  Oct.  10th  to  30th,  on  gunnery  and.  "bomb- 
ling  at  Aberdeen  Proving  Ground, Md.  The  Squadron/  which  had  traveled  partly  by 
air  and  partly  overland,  concentrated  at  Aberdeen  bn  the  10th  and  began  work 
promptly  next  day.  Three  ranges  were  laid  out  far.  enough  apart  so  that  the  front, 
rear  gun  and  bombing  could  be  carried  on  at  the  same  time.  The  unique  feature 
of  the  plan  was  a range  for  the  front  guns  on  which  the.  targets  could  be  faced 
in  any  direction.  This  range  was  very  difficult  to  construct,  as  the  base  lines 
ran  through  swamp  and  forest,  but  once  built  it  was  well  worth  the  trouble, a^s 
results  show. 

.Although  the  weather  was  not  always  favorable,  once  the  ranges  were  finish- 
ed, not  a day  was  lost. 

Results  so  far,  with  the  sock  still  to  shoot!  100 $ Qualified!  7 Experts, 

5 Sharpshooters,  1 Marksman . This  same  Squadron  failed  to  qualify  a single  man 
last  Spring. 

The  Parachute  Department  has  grown  weary  of  making  gags  for  the  Retreat  Gun. 
The  Post  Dumbell,  they  claim,  is  awarded  for  tricks  often  less  dumb  than  shoot- 
ing off  a muzzle-cover.  And  they  suggest  that  the  next  culprit  be  awarded  a 
life-size  muzzle-cover  to  be  worn  at  all  meals,  say  for  one  week. 

Fairfield  Air  Depot.  Eairfield. Ohio,  Oct.  16th! 

Lieut.  George  V.  McPike,  Depot  Supply  Officer,  departed.  Oct.  13th  by  air  on 
a.,  tour  of  inspection  of  Schoen  Field,.  Indianapolis,  Ind.;  Chicago, 111. St.  Paul, 
Minn. ; • Kansas  City,  Mo.;  Ft.  Riley,  and  Ft.  Leavenworth,  Fans. 

Lieut,  and  Mrs.  Russell  M.  Greenslade  were  guests  of  Lieut . hnd  Mrs..  Melvin 
B.-  Asp  for  the  past  several  day’s.  Lieut.  Greenslade  formerly  stationed  at. .this 
Depot,  was  eh  route  to  his  new  station,  Chanute  Field. 

Capt.  and  Mrs.  John  M.  Clark,  A.  C.,  departed  for  their. new  station  at  Mather 
■Field.,  Calif.  Best  wishes  of.  the  Post  go.  with  the,m.  . . '1 

Lieut.  Melvin  B.  Asp  returned  Oct.  9th  from  Kelly  Field,  Texan y He'  ferried 
to  that  station  an  0-11  airplane,  overhauled  at  this  Deixjt. 

Lieut.  Gerald  P.  Young,  Air-Res.,  served  a two -weeks'  tour  of  a'ctive  duty 
at  .this. Depot,  being  assigned. to.  the  Ehgineering  Department. 

Major  A.L.  Sneed,  Commanding  Officer,  left  Oct.' 13th  in  a P-1 C on  a tour  of 
.inspection. 

Capt-.  John  L.  Corbett,  Q.M.C.,  our  Quartermaster,  .is  on  sick  leave  at  Ft. 
Hormoyle, . Texas. . During  his  absence  Capt . Geo..,  E.  Thompson '..  Q.M.C.,  from  the 
Philadelphia:  Quartermaster  Depot,,  has  been  on  temporary  duty  here,, 

■ ■ The  first  formal  ” Get.  Together”  Dance  of  /the  .season  sponsored  by  the  Vilhur 
Wright  Officers’  Club  was  held  at  Wright  Field  on  Oct.  3d.  The  dance  is  the 
first  of  a series  of  seven  for  the  season.  . 

Oct.  9th,  a Golf  Tournament  was  held  between  the  officers  living  on  the 
Post  and  those  living  in  town.  The  "City  Slickers”  won  the  match  from  the  !fIiome 
Boys”  rather  easily.  After  the  tournament,  the  .losers  ..entertaire  d the  winners 
with  a stag  dinner  at  the  Club.  After  the  dinner,  movies  and  various  games  were 
enjoyed.  . / ’ ", 

The  Ladies1  Golf  Glub  of  the  Depot  lost  a match  at.  this  station  with  the 
ladies  of  the  Dayton  Country  Club  on  Oct.  1st.  A return  .game  was  played  at  the 
Dayton  Country  Club  on  Oct.  13tli.  • • ^ 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Ladies1  Bridge  Club  was. Jield.Oct.  7th  at  Side 
Slip  Inn.  Hew  Officers  were  elected  for  tlie  : co'ming  year ? 

Visitors  at  the  Depot  during  the  past-  two  .weeks  were! 

.y..  General- James  E.  Fechet,  Chief  of  .the  U-ir  Corrjs, . and  Qapt . Eaker  on  a cross- 
country flight  from  Washington  in  a BT2 ‘airplane  on  Oct.  10th. 

: Major  C.L.  Tinker  of  Kelly  Field,  Texas,  who.  returned  there  with /an  0-11 
airplane  overhauled  at  this  station.  ’ . ; ; 

Lieut.  Milo  McCune,  formerly  of  :th£s  Depot,  how ,si’atipned  -at  Langley  Field, 
Va. , arrived  Oct.  11th,  ferrying  an  A-3  airplane  from  Bolling  Field. 

Lieuts.  L.H.  Dunlap  and  C.W.  O’Connor,  from  Langley  Field,  visited  this 
y . ~ -343-  V-6089,A.C. 


station  on  Oct.  4th.  in.  -aar  A-3  airplane. 

Lieut.  Samuel  C.  Eaton, Jr.,  arrived  Oct.  4th  from  Chicago  returning  to 
■Pittsburgh,  P&.,  his  home,  sjration.  . 

'Maj.  Davenport  Johnson  of  the  3d  Attack.  Group, heading  .a  flight  of  seven 
A-3*s  from  Bolling  Eield,  stopped  Oct.  10th  at  this  Depot  en  route  to  Et. Crockett 

Nichols  Eield.  P.I..  Oct.  6th:  , 

Headquarters  Detachment  ,4th'  Composite  Group!  The  Inter-Squadron  Baseball 
series  is  well  under  way  and  the  Hq.  team  appears  to  have  an  easy  time  defeating 
- the  ' champions  of  the  past' year. 

The  sailing  of  the  October  transport  will  remove  from  the  environs  of  Nich- 
ols Eield  and  Manila  two  well  known  figures  - St .Sgts.Craig  and  Gaspard.  It  is 
hoped  they  will  enjoy  the  surroundings  of  their  new  homes. 

28th  Bombardment  Squadron:  During  the  past  week  the  squadron  was  busy  with 
landscape  gardening  plans . The  work  is  progressing 'far  beyond  expectations,. 

-■  ■ Our  losses  this  month  included  Capt.  A.W..  Brock,  our  former  Commanding  Of- 
ficer, who  is  spending  part  of  his  leave  in  China  and  Japan  before  sailing  for 
the  States.  Caiot.  Black,  who  replaced  Capt.  Brock,  is  in  the  unique  position 
of  commanding  a Bombardment  Squadron  entirely  equipped  with  'PU-9,r  s and  one  P-12. 

2d  Observation  Squadron:  Capt.  A.E.  Easterbrook,  Squadron  Commander,  re- 
turned to  duty  from  a trip  to  China  and  Japan. 

A hot-water  system  is  being  installed  in  the  Squadron  Barracks  and  is  ex- 
pected to  be  ready  for  use  soon.  Goodbye,  dobie  itch  and  prickly  heat. 

The  October  Transport  will  take  another  of,  the  mainstays  of. the  Squadron 
ball  team  in  the  person  of  Cpl.  Sonik,  one  of  the  hardest-playing  ball  players 
ever  to  hit  the  islands  and  a big  factor  in  the  winning  of  championships  of  all 
athletic  contests  by  the  2d  Squadron.  Expiration  of  tour  of  foreign; service  is 
gradually  de-ple ting  the  ranks  of  the  Squadron  athletics  who  have  swept  the  field 
in  all  events  for  the  last  two  years. 

The  major  part  bf  the -flying  during  September  consisted  of  tactical  train- 
ing, formation  and  cross-country  flights  to  Del  Carmen,  San  Miguel, Calamba  and 
Clark  Eield. 

In  addition  to  our  Observation  planes,  we  h,ave  had  temporary  attached  to 
the  Squadron  for  the  past  two  weeks  one  of.  the  hew  Boeing  P-12B1  s.  Opportunity 
was  given  all  pilots  assigned  to  the.  squadron  to  fly  this  new  plane,  and  the 
flights  were  greatly  enjoyed  by  all  participants. 

Clark  Eield.  Pamioanga..  P.I..  Sent.  6th: 

The  3d  Pursuit  Squadron  is  now  completely  equipped  with  new  P-12  airplanes. 
Formation  flights  of  ■ full  squadron  strength  are  schediiled  in  preparation  for  a 
review  by  General  King  in  October. 

Ground  school  courses  are  nearing  completion.  The  wet  season  . is  over  and 
we  are  contemplating  with  pleasure  a projected  squadron  flight  to  the  Southern 
Islands. 

Lieut,  and  Mrs.  George  L.  Murray  left  on  detached  service  to  Baguio,  after 
which  they  will  sail  for  the  United  States,  on  the  October,  boat . 

' Lieut,  and  Mrs.  Arthur  L.  Bump,  Jr.,  will  spend  a month  in . China  and  catch 
the  October  boat  at  Ching-Wang-Tae . .... 

We  are  losing  two  of  our  non-commissioned  officers- on  the. October  Transport 
due  to  expiration -of  tours  of  duty,  Tecli;Sgt.  Merrill,  our  Post  Sgt, -Major  and 
St.Sgt.  Hymes,  one  of  our  crew  chiefs.  St.Sgt, Hymes  is, not  only  a good  crew 
chief  but  has  also  proven  to  be  a competent  construction  man,  having  completely 
installed  two  ten- thousand  gallon  gasoline  tanks.  The  loss  of  these  two  non- 
commissioned officers  will  -be  keenly  felt  by  this  command.  Our  best  wishes  ac- 
company them  to  their  new  station  and  duties. 

On  Sept.  10th  the  Et .Stotsenburg  Boxing  Club  staged  au  all  star-  card  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Philippine  Leper  Eund.  '’Red11  Every,  who  aspires  to  the  heavy- 
weight crown  of  the  Islands,  took  on  Childers,  of  Corregidor,  the  heavyweight 
champion  of  the  Philippine  Department. 

Et .Sill.  Okla. . Oct.  31st: 

The  Secretary  of  War,  Honorable  Patrick  J.  Hurley,  paid  Et.Sill  a shprt 
informal  visit  during  his  ^recent  trip  to  Oklahoma.  This  trip  was  made  in  a 

- 344  - 7-6089,  A.  C. 


Ford  tri-motored  plane,  which  was  piloted  by  1st  Lieut.  C.f.  Cousland,  formerly 
of  this  station*  . ' 

Geheral  Bo wleyv  ^ssisthnt' thief  of  Staff,  was  a visitor  at  Ft. Sill  during 
the  time  that  . the  Secretary  of  War  was  here.  • A plane  from  this  station,  piloted 
"by  2nd  Lieut.  Joe  C.  Britton,  met  General  Bowley  in  Oklahoma  City  and  ferried 
him  to  this  station. 

Maj.  Willis  H.  Hale, A. C.,  and  Capt.  Simpson  R.  Strihling,O.D. , arrived  here 
October  12th,  in  a Ford  tri-motored  plane,  piloted  by.  Maj.  Hale.  They  remained 
at  Ft. Sill  ten  days  supervising  the  bombing  tests  carried  out  by  the  Air  Corps 
and  the  Ordnance  Department,  Mr.  Brockhufst  (Fox  Movie-Tone  representative)  was 
a member  of  this  flight  for  the  purpose  of  securing  pictures  of  the  bombing 
tests.  Three  Curtiss  Condor  Bombers  were  flown  here  from  Rockwell  Field,  Calif., 
'tb  conduct  the  bombing  tests.  1st  Lieuts.  Charles  H.  Howard,  William  L.  Scott, 

2d  Lieuts,  Lloyd  H.  Watnee,  Howard  G.  Bunker,  Frank  M.  Crismon  and  Egbert  C. 

Cook, A. C.,  Capt.  Miles  Kresge,O.D.,  and  six  enlisted  men  accompanied  the  Bombers. 

A nine-ship  formation  was  sent  to  Stillwater, Okla. , as  an  escort  to  the 
Secretary  of  War  when  he  officiated  at  an  airport  dedication  there. 

Lieut.  Ennis  in  a Curtiss  A-3  arrived  here  Oct.  12th,  from  Washington, D. C. , 
to  supervise  the  publicity  of  the  bombing  tests.  He  was  accompanied  by  Mr. 

Peden,  Fox  Movie-Tone  representative. 

Capts.  Jervey  and  DeFord  arrived  from  Kelly  Field  Oct.  20th  in  a Curtiss  A-3. 
They  remained  one  day  to  watch  the  bombing  tests. 

Lieut.  W.R,  Agee  and  Mr.Sgt*  Wallace  ferried  two  Keystone  Bombers  here  from 
Kelly  Field,  each  Bomber  being  loaded  with  ten  100-lb.  bombs.  They  remained 
over  night. 

Lieut.  Clarence  E.  Shankle,  Adjutant  of  the  88th  Observation  Squadron  is 
enjoying  a.  thirty-day  leave  of  absence  in  Arizona. 

Wright  Field.  Dalton.  Ohio.  Oct.  17th: 

The  following  Officers  of  the  Industrial  College  attended  a course  of  Orien- 
tation held  at  Wright  Field  during  the  week  of  Sept.  4-111  Capt.  Phillip  Schnee- 
berger,  Lieuts.  N.D.  Brophy,  D.R.  Goodrich,  R.S.  Heald,  L.W.  Miller  and  C.L. 
Welsh. 

A party  of  French  bankers,  making  a visit  of  four  cities  of  the  United 
States,  included  Dayton  and  Wright  Field  in  their  itinerary,  coming  to  the  Field 
on  Sept.  9th.  Maj.  Coleman  greeted  them,  congratulating  them  upon  the  flight 
of  their  distinguished  countrymen,  Coete  and  Bellonte,  and  their  remarkable 
flight  from  Paris  to  Uew  York.  J.A.  Roche,  Airplane  Branch;  T.  de  Porte,  Air- 
plane Branch;  and  Doctor  C.D.  Barbulesco,  Radio  Unit,  acted  as  escorts,  and  the 
guests  had  an  opportunity  to  view  hangars,  torque  stand,  wind  tunnel,  propeller 
■ " test  rig,  power  plant  laboratory,  and  main  laboratory. 

r Lieut.  Park  Holland,  reporting  for  duty  from  the  Philippines,  was  assigned 
to  the  Purchase  Branch. 

• ■*'  Maj.-  O.P.  Echols  and  C.L.  Blackford,  of  the  Flight  Operations  Office,  took 
off  on  Sept.  5th  for  Seattle,  Wash.,  for  temporary  duty  with  the  Boeing  Airplane 
Co.,  returning  to  Wright  Field  on  Sept.  18th.  To  Blackford,  who  keeps,  endless 
' schedules  of  the  flights  of  others,  but  who  had  never  been  on  a long  cross-coun- 
try flight  himself,  the  trip  was  a great  pleasure  as  well  as  duty. 

Majors  O.P.  Echols  and  C.W.  Howard,  and  F.H.  Coleman,  and  Lieuts.  A.W.  Mar- 
tenstein  and  A.W.  Vanaman  left  by  train  for  Washington  on  the  18th  to  attend 
a meeting  of  the  Procurement  Planning  Board. 

Lieut.  Bayard  Johnson  recently  returned  to  Wright  Field,  after  two  years  in 
the  Philippine  Islands.  He  is  one  of  the  Field’s  veterans,  having  been  connect- 
k~e&  with  the  Power-Plant  Branch  at  McCook  Field  since  1918.  There  at  various 
times  he  was  ih  charge  of  the  coding  systems  branch  and  the  Installations  group, 
incldding  supervision  of  fuel  systems,  and  cooling  systems.  He  administered 
power  plant  contracts,  passed  on  engine  designs  submitted  by  the  industry,  and 
acted  as  Chief  of  thd  Power;  Plant  Branch.  He  graduated  from  the  Air  Corps  En- 
gineering-School, Class  of  1923,  and  returns  to  work  in  the  Power  Plant  Branch, 
where  his- long 'experience  makes  him  a valuable  member  of  the  organization. 

Lieuts.  F.O.  Carroll,  C.H.  Ridenour,  J.A.  Woodruff,  H.P.  Rush,  D.L.  Bruner, 
L.M.  Wolfe  and  S.R.  Harris, Jr.,  took  off  for  Dearborn,  Mich.,  and  Mitchel  Field, 
H.Y.,  on  Oct.  13th  to  inspect  mock-ups  of  the  proposed  XB-906  at  Dearborn  and 
the  XO-911  (Curtiss)  at  Mitchel  Field.  They  returned  to  Wright  Field  on  Oct. 
15th;  - • **  v . ■?<  ' ‘,-y  , ■ 

■•■  •V--:;;  . - 345  - V-6089,A.C. 


General  H.C.  Pratt,  Chief  of  Materiel  Division,  Majors  Howard,  Echols  and 
Lieut.  Martenstein  left  for  Washington  on  Oct.  13th  for  a conference  with  the 
Chief  of  the  Air  Corps. 

Major-General  J.E.  Eechet,  landed  at  Fairfield  on  Oct.  9th  and  visited 
Wright  Field.  He  was  ferrying  a BT-2  from  the  west  coast  to  Washington. 

Lieut.  A.J.  Lyon  left  for  Washington  on  Oct.  11th  to  attend  a meeting  of 
the  N.A.CUL. 

Ralph  Lockwood,  former  test  pilot  of  McCook  Field,  at  present  with  the  Avia- 
tion Corporation,  Hew  York  City,  visited  the  Field  on  Oct.  9th. 

H.R.  Fedden,  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Bristol  Aeroplane  Co.,  Bristol,  England, 
was  a recent  visitor  at  the  Field. 

Secretary  of  War,  P.J.  Hurley  and  Lieut.  C.W.  CouslanC  stopped  at  the  Field 
on  Sept.  8th  en  route  from  St.  Louis  to  Washington. 

Lt.-Col.  Irving  J.  Fhilipson,  of  the  Budget  Commission,  and  Major  D.B.  Heth- 
erwood,  O.C.A.C.,  spent  several  days  at  the  Field  recently. 

The  following  officers  were  among  those  participating  in  cross-country  train- 
ing flights  during  the  past  months  Lt.  J.D.  Corkille  to  Buffalo:  Lts.  C.H.  Cald- 
well and  D.W.  Watkins  to  Washington;  .Lts.  C.D.  McAllister  and  A.F.  Foulk  to  De- 
troit; Lts.  A.R.  Crawford  and  B.W.  Chidlaw  to  Dhanute;  Lts.  H.G.  Crocker,  G.F. 
Schulgen,  C.A.  Ross  and  H.G.  Woodward  to  Selfridge;  Capt.  MlE.McHugo,  Lts.  E.M. 
Powers,  H.R.  Wells,  A.W.  Vanaman  and  Major  M.G.  Healy,  Flight  Surgeon,  to  Lang- 
ley; Lt.  K.B.  Wolfe  to  Hashville;  Lt.  R.P.  Williams  to  Logansport,  Ind.;  Lt.  C.S. 
Thorpe  to  Scott  Field;  Lt.  R.J.  Minty  and  Sgt.  E.L.  Jarles  to  Grand  Rapids, Mich. ; 
Lt.  S.R.  Harris  and  Major  J.L.  Hatcher,  Ord.  Dept.,  to  Baltimore;  Lt.  E.C.  Lang- 
mead  to  Chicago;  Capt.  0.0.  Hiergarth  to  Battle  Creek,  Mich.  ; Lt.  H.K.  Baisley 
to  Burgess  Field;  Major  F.H.  Coleman  to  Aberdeen;  Lt.  F.D.  Klein  to  Boston;  Lt. 
A.J.  Lyon  to  Huntington,  W.Va, ; Lt.  R.L.  Williamson  to  Akron;  Lt.  Clements  Mc- 
Mullen to  Superior,  Wis. 

Lieuts.  D.S.  Fahrney  and  W.H.  Bur  acker , U.S.  Havy,  spent  a week  recently 
at  the  Field  to  study  various  engineering  projects  in  progress  here. 

Lieuts.  J.A.  Woodruff,  G.F.  Schulgen,  S.P.  Mills,  F.O.  Carroll  and  J.D. 
Corkille  flew  the  XLB-3,  0-25A,  XPT-3,  XP-13A  and  X P-12B  airplanes  respectively, 
to  Cincinnati,  Sept.  26th,  to  participate  in  the  dedication  of  Lunken  Airport. 

Lieut.  A. I.  Ennis,  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  spent  several  days 
at  the  Field  recently  in  consultation  concerning  photographic  matters. 

Capt.  Harry  Lyon,  navigator  on  the  famous  flight  of  the  Southern  Cross 
from  California  to  Australia,  visited  the  Field  on  Oct.  10th. 


- 346  - 


V-6089,A.  C, 


VOL.  XIV 


DECEMBER  8,  1930 


NO.  14 


TABLE  OP  CORSETS 
— -nOo — - 

Page 

Photographs  to  Accompany  Articles  in  .'.Hews  Letter Foresheet 

Plying  Laboratory  to  be  Dismantled  C 347 

Chemistry  in  Aviation 347  - 348 

Safe  Refuses  to  open  up 348 

Sacramento  a Real  Army  Torn 349 

Field  Service  Representative  Tours  the  World 349  - 350 

Bolling  Field  Entertains  Caban  Football  Team  350 

Flying  Chiefs  350 

Enlisted  Strength  of  the  Air  Corps 350 

High  Altitude  Formation  Flying  . . . 351 

Eight  Flying  at  Brooks  Field 351 

German  Officer  Making  Good  as  Student  at  Primary  Flying  School  . . . 351 

Work  of  the  San  Antonio  Air  Depot,  Duncan  Field,  Texas  .......  351 

Boxing  Excess  Supplies  at  the  Fairfield  Air  Depot  351  - 352 

Lieut.  Mills  leaves  Wright  Field  ......  . 352 

Lieut.  Vaupre  Wins  Mitchell  Trophy  Race 353  - 355 

Lieut . Westley  Wins  Patrick  Trophy  Race 355  - 356 

Honors  to  Jimmy  Doolittle 356  - 357 

War  Department  Orders  Affecting  Air  Corps  Officers  357 

Lieut.  Johnson  Makes  Very  Low  parachute  Jump  357 

Arrival  of  the  P-6  Airplane 357 

Reserves  Enjoy  Profitable  Two  Weeks  Training  at  Scott  Field  ....  353 

Bombing  of  Obsolete  Airplanes  at  Camp  Stanley 358 

Rational  Guard  Airmen  make  Long  Cross-Country 558 

A Get-Together  of  Ordnance  and  Air  Corps  Officers 359  - ,360 

The  Mitchol  Field  Dumhell  Club  . . . . * 360 

Scott  Field  Officers  Serve  Temporary  Tours  with  Other  Arms  of  Service  360 

-Caterpillar  Club  passes  300  Mark..  ... 361  - 363 

A Skillful  Take-off  and  Landing 363 

Distinguished  Flying  Cross  Presented  to  Luke  Field  Flyers 363  - 364 

A Very  Versatile  Organization  364 

Reserve  Officers  Establish  a Clubhouse  364 

Another  Medal  of  Honor  Man  Among  War-Time  Flyers 365 

Radioing  in  the  Air  Corps 365  — 366 

Bombing  - and  Howl  ' 366 

Construction  of  Buildings  for  the  Tactical  School  366 

Easier  to  Get  in  than  to  Get  Out 366 

Retirement  of  1st  Sergeant  Dee  0.  Moore 366 

Lieut.  Briggs  Receives  Unexpected  Surf  Bath 367 

Lieut.  Thornton  Victim  of  Painful  Accident  367 

Rotes  from  Air  Corps  Fields 368 


V-6095,  A 


AIR 


CORPS 


HEWS 


HO.  14 


VOL.  XIV 

Information  Di-vision  Monitions  Boil  ding 

Air  Corps December  8,  1930.  Washington,  D,C. 


The  chief  purpose  of  this  publication  is  to  distribute  information  on 
aeronautics  to  the  flying  personnel  in  the  Regular  Army,  Reserve  Corps, National 
Guard,  and  others  connected  with  aviation. 

— -oOo— - 

FLUNG  LABORATORY  TO  BE  DISMANTLED 
Ify  A.M.  Jacobs 

The  "Flying  Laboratory"  having  seen  honorable  and  constant  service  since 
early  in  the  fall  of  1927  is,  we  are  told,  about  to  be  surveyed  for  dismantling. 
This  plane,  used  as  an  air  testing  laboratory  for  all  airplane  radio  equipment 
and  many  instruments,  is  a Fokker  C-2  Transport,  sister  plane  to  the  one  which 
was  flown  ty  Lieut s.  Hegenberger  and  Maitland  to  Hawaii.  During  the  past  three 
years  the  "Flying  Laboratory"  was  flown  over  the  greater  portion  of  the  United 
States,  mountainous  as  well  as  flat  country,  in  fair  weather  and  storms,  on 
night  and  day  flights,  without  ever  having  been  in  a crash  and  only  once  having 
been  'put  to  the  slighter  humiliation  of  a forced  landing. 

When,  because  of  the  roominess  of  its  cabin,  the  passenger  seats  were  torn 
out  to  convert  it  into  a laboratory,  with  the  then  current  interphone , trans- 
mitting and  receiving  sets  installed,  and  with  the  long  shelving  to  the  rear 
for  the  experimental  or  "breadboard"  radio  models , it  was  the  only  flying  radio 
laboratory  in  existence.  Based  upon  its  usefulness  and  efficiency,  there  are 
now  at  least  ten  other  planes  which  have  been  converted  to  like  uses  by  various 
commercial  and  government  radio  organizations,  for  all  of  which  this  original 
has  served  as  a model. 

Many  of  the  important  radio  air  developments  of  the  last  three  years  have 
taken  place  within  its  confines.  Radio  shielding  has  been  greatly  improved 
owing  to  tests  carried  on  there.  The  double  voltage  generator,  which  elimin- 
ates the  necessity  of  a dynamo tor  when  used  with  the  transmitter  and  accom- 
plishes such  a decided  reduction  in  weight  over  the  old  time  generator  sets, 
was  developed  in  it.  Experiments  in  the  propagation  of  high  frequency  waves 
have  proved  fruitful.  The  preliminary  data  for  the  Army  Command  Set,  by  which 
the  leader  of  a flight  makes  his  orders  known  to  the  other  planes  of  the  forma- 
tion, were  gathered  there.  Other  developments  fostered  in  the  flying  labora- 
tory are  the  two-way  communication  plane  to  ground  sets,  visual  indicators  for 
the  radio  beacon,  loud  speaker  communication  from  plane  to  ground,  and  the  dial 
system  for  the  transmission  and  reception  of  code  messages.  All  new  radio 
sets  received  by  the  Signal  Corps  were  given  initial  checking,  and  many  new  and 
experimental  types  of  instruments  were  tried  out  in  this  plane. 

This  radio  plane  also  was  used  at  times  as  a flying  class  room  for  radio 
instruction  and  demonstration.  At  Fort  Monmouth,  N. J. , in  1928,  it  carried 
120  radio  students  on  such  flights. 

A new  and  higher-powered  plane  will  soon  be  selected  to  succeed  it, 

for  the  need  of  such  a laboratory  has  been  established  beyond  question. 

- — oOo- — 

CHEMISTRY  IN  MILITARY  AVIATION 

In  touching  on  the  above  subject,  we  must  assume  that  due  recognition  has 
been  given  the  Industrial  Chemist  and  all  his  endeavors  for  the  part  he  has 
played  in  the  industrial  advance  of  the  civilized  world.  Aviation,  or  more 
properly,  aeronautics,  is  just  one  of  the  many  activities  or  industries  of 
today  which  benefit  by  the  work,  both  past  and  current,  carried  on  in  chemical 
laboratories  all  over  the  world.  Like  other  industries  and  activities,  aero- 
nautics cannot  stand  alone.  It  Is  part  of  the  world-wide  scheme  of  things,  and 
where  the  other  industries  benefit,  by  advances  in  chemical  knowledge  or  appli- 
cation, so  will  aeronautics  in  a like  measure. 

How  Chemistry  affects  the  world  of  aeronautics,  however,  is  more  clearly 
understood  by  considering  those  laboratory  reagents  and  shop  chemicals  that 
might  be  called  the  "Aviation  Chemicals."  The  Army  Air  Corps, in  its  most  recent 
catalogue  on  the  subject,  indicates  that  over  90  chemicals  are  necessary  to  the 
successful  carrying  on  of  its  manufacturing,  repair  and  operating  activities. 

-347-  ~ V-6095,  A.C. 


When  one  -cans idem  that  .manufacture  Is  6nly  parried  6n  in^a-  minor  way  by  the 
Air  Corps  and  that  aircraft JiirnniXaciairens-nims t certainly  use  many  chemicals 
not  carried  as  standard  by  the  Air  Corps,  it  will  be  seen  what  part  Chemistry 
plays  in  aeronautics. 

As  to  the  Aviation  Chemicals  listed  by  the  Air  Corps,  many  of  these  are 
for  use  in  aerial  photography,  which  plays  no  mean  part  in  military  aviation. 
Some  of  these  chemicals  and  the  uses  to  which  they  are  nut  are  as  follows : 


Aerial  Photography 

Welding 

Metal  etching 

Plating 

Cleaning 

Fuel  Testing 

Hardening 

Generation  of  Oxygen 
Fire  Extinguishers 
Storage  of  Flying 
Clothes 

Sealing  Porous 
Castings 
Electrolyte  for 
Storage  Batteries 


Sodium  carbonate,  sodium  the o sulphate , hydro quinone , 
Boric  Acid. 

Hi trie  Acid,  sodium  hydroxide. 

Aluminum  sulphate,  copper  sulphate. 

Ammonia. Hydroxide. 

Aniline,  Yellow  and  Lead  Oxide. 

Granulated  Haw  Bone,  Potassium  Cyanide. 

Caustic  Soda. 

Carbon  Tetrachloride . 

Naphthalene . 


Sodium  Silicate. 


Edison  Batteries  - 


Lead  Batteries  - sulphuric  acid. 

Potassium  and  lithium  hydrates. 

Xn  addition,  there  must  not  be  neglected  the  subject  of  Chemical  Warfare 
as  related  to  Aerial  Warfare,  Smoke  screens,  which  are  not  uncommon  in  aerial 
tactics,  are  made  chemically  by  the  spraying  of  Titanium  Tetrachloride  from  a 
tank  carried  on  the  airplane,  the  chemical  reacting  with  the  water  vapor  pres- 
ent in  the  atmosphere  to  form  the  hydrate  .T1CI4  5 HgO,  which  upon  further  re- 
action with  moisture  breaks  up  into  Titanium  Hydroxide  and  Hydrochloric  Acid, 
the  smoke  occurring  throughout  the  complete  reaction. 

— -oOo— - 


SAFE  REFUSES  TO  OPSH  UP 


The  Amateur  Cracksman  would  have  had  a tough  time  of  it  had  he  chosen  to 
tackle  the  safe  in  the  Scott  Field  Post  Exchange.  When  Colonel  William  T. 

Burt  and  Major  Ernest  J.  Carr,  of  the  Inspector  General’s  Department,  arrived 
on  ITovember  14th  to  conduct  the  annual  inspection  of  the  post,  one  rather  em- 
barrassing incident  occurred  in  connection  with  the  inspection  of  the  Post 
Exchange.  When  the  Post  Exchange  Officer,  1st  Lieut.  Grin  J.  Bushey,  came  to 
open  the  big  safe,  the  outer  doors  functioned  properly,  but  the  door  to  the 
inner  compartment  refused  to  open.  All  sorts  of  expedients  were  tried,  such 
as  turning  the  safe  in  different  positions,  which  .required  the  efforts  of 
about  15  soldiers,-  but  nothing  seemed  to  help.  The  tumblers  of  the'  lock  seemed 
to  be  functioning,  but  the  bolt  would  not  move,  even  though  a crow-bar  was  used 
as  a lever. 

The  safe  is  of  modern  construction  and  cannot  be  opened  except  by  repeated 
heat  -treatments  to  take ■ the  temper  out  of  the  drill  proof  steel  sheets  which 
completely  surround  it.  An  expert  safe. man  was  called  in  from  St.  Louis,  and 
telegrams  were  sent  to  the  manufacturer  of  the  safe,  asking  for  advice.  After 
48  hours  of  continuous  work,  with  the  safe  again  being  xLaced  in  all  possible 
positions,  the  bolts  apparently  gave  a little  and  then  with  the  application  of 
still  greater  force  the  bolts  slowly  pulled  back. 

The  cause  of  the  trouble  was  discovered  to  be  the  door  to  the  time  lock 
mechanism.  This  had  come  open  end  on  the  first  attenrpt  to  open  the  safe  the 
bolt  mechanism  on  the  inside  of  the  door  had  jammed  against  tile  time  lock  'door. 
This  had  jammed  the  door  on  its  hinges  and  it  remained  in  this  position  regard- 
less of  which  way  the  safe  was  turned.  Continual  working  on  the  bolts  finally 
loosened  the  heavy  glass  in  the  time  lock  door  and  it  dropped'  out,  and  then 
the  application  of  pressure  had  bent  the  frame  of  the  door  -enough  to  allow  the 
bolts  to  release.  The  opening  of  the  safe,  occurred  about  three  hours  before 
the  inspectors  were  scheduled  to  leave,  and  barely  in  time,  for  them  to  complete 
the  inspection  of  the  Post  Exchange  records. 

Referring  to  the  inspection,'  the  Hews  Letter  Correspondent  states  that 
thus  far  everything  appears ' to  have  gone  nicely  but,  of  course,  you  can  never 
tell  until  the  official  rewort  is  received. 

-348- 


SACRAMENTO  A ■.BEAT,  .ARMY  TOWN  ~ 

An  “Army  Town"  is  not  necessarily  one  near  which,  large  hodies-of.. Uncle 
Sam’s  soldiers  are  stationed.  Army  folk,  officers,  enlisted  men  and  their 
families,  traveling  about  as  they  do,  have  no  set  homes,  hut  this  does  not  mean 
they  lack  a home  sense.  They  all  appreciate  a neighborly  spirit.  Ho  greater 
tribute  could  be  paid  to  any  village,  town  or  city  neighboring 'an  Army  post  than 

to  have  one  military  man  (or  woman)  say  to  another  - " 'fine  people;  a real 

Army  town. " 

The  following  letter  received  by  Major-General  James  E.  Eechet , Chief  of 
the  Air  Corps,  from  the  Sacramento,  Calif.,  Chambers  of  Commerce  stamps 
Sacramento  as  an  Army  town  of  the  first  order. 

"My  dear  General  Eechet: 

Your  fine  letter  of  the  23rd,  listing  the  officers  ordered  to  duty 
at  Mather  Yield,  is  sincerely  appreciated,  and-  I will  be  glad  to  have 
you  keep  us  informed  regarding  any  developments  which  are  to  take  place 
at  Mather  Field  which  will  enable  us  to  make  the  officers  and  men  feel 
as  nearly  at  home  as  possible. 

You  will  be  interested  to  know  that  the  Del  Paso  Country  Club  has 
given  all  privileges  of  the  golf  course  and  club  to  the  officers  who  are 
to  be  stationed  here.  Other  clubs  and  organizations  will  do  likewise. 

In  other  words,  the  same  courtesies  which  existed  during  the  Air  Corps 
Maneuvers  in  April  will  be  continued. 

Please  have  no  hesitancy  in  calling  upon  us  for  any  assistance  that 
we  can  give  to  the  end  that  your  work  at  Mather  Field  may  be  outstanding 
in  its  success. 

With  best  regards,  I am 

Yours  very  truly, 

A.S.  Dudley, 

Secretary- Manager. " 

0O0 

FIELD  SERVICE  SECTION  REPRESENTATIVE  TOURS  WORLD 

Mr.  C.H.  Calder  of  the  Field  Service  Section,  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio, 
returned  recently  from  a round  the  world  journey  of  approximately  one  year’s 
duration.  The  trip  was  undertaken  partly  in  the  interests  of  the  Government 
and  partly  as  a personal  travel  venture. 

Mr.  Calder  left  Wright  Field  the  latter  part  of  November,  sailing  on  a 
Government  Transport  from  New  York  City  for  Panama,  where  he  spent  three  weeks 
installing  a new  supply  system  at  the  Air  Corps  station.  From  Panama  he  proceed- 
ed to  Hawaii  and  the  Philippine  Islands  on  the  same  Air  Corps  business.  His 
duty  completed  in  the  Philippine  Islands,  Calder,  having  obtained  an  extended 
leave  of  absence  from  his  Wright  Field  post,  crossed  to  China,  spending  approxi- 
mately two  months  in  the  vicinity  of  Pekin.  Japan  was  next  in  his  itinerary, 
and  the  Trans-Siberian  railway  j ourney , taking  twelve  days  to  Moscow,  followed. 

Some  time  was  spent  in  Berlin.  At  Heidelberg,  Calder  joined  friends  and 
traveled  by  motor  through  Switzerland;  across  the  north  of  Italy  to  Genoa; 
along  the  Riveria,  spending  a week  at  Nice;  to  Barcelona;  through  the  Pyrenees  to 
Paris;  across  the  Channel  by  ferry  to  Folks tone;  through  the  south  of  England 
to  London,  where  he  had  spent  a year  during  the  War.  He  sailed  from  Liverpool 
for  New  York  at  the  end  of  September. 

Loitering  through  many  countries  of  the  most  varied  customs  and  civiliza- 
tions, with  wide  opportunities  for  intimate  observation,  the  journey  could  not 
be  but  a colorful  one.  The  Chinese,  comfortable  with  their  age-old  customs, 
resenting  the  intrusion  of  Occidentals  and  Occidental  modernism  into  their  , 
lives,  honest,  xoleasant,  and  finding  life  good  as  it  had  been  in  China  for 
centuries,  he  found  presented  an  interesting  problem  in  modern  civilization. 
Progress,  it  seemed  to  him,  would  not  be  swiftly,  if  ever,  successful  in  per- 
meating this  lethargy. 

In  decided  contrast  was  Moscow,  where  a vast  experiment  in  ultra-modernism 
is  in  progress.  Like  other  travelers  not  especial  guests  of  the  Soviet  offi- 
cials, Calder  found  himself  hungry  the  majority  of  his  stay  in  Russia.  His  im- 
pression during  a too-short  stay  was  of  a people  awake  and  alive,  but  naively 
ignorant  of  any  world  outside  their  own,  and  hardened  through  an  utter  contempt 
of  sentiment  in  any  form,  carefully  nurtured  through  propaganda  and  by  the 

-349-  " " V-6095,  A.C. 


bitterness  of  poverty. 

Especially  interested,  in.  aviation,  Oelder  lias  impressed' by  the  commercial 
activity  in  Europe',  and  in  Germany  JLn  par&iraELar,.  In  China  he  found  virtually 
no  airplanes  or  military  activity.  In-Japan,  there  was  comparatively  much 
greater  progress  • shown. 

Calder  has  been  associated  with  the  Air  Corps  since  the  War.  He-  came  to 
McCook  Field  in  1921,  and  has  been  a resident  of  Dayton  ever  since.  Recently 
he  delivered  a lecture  on  his  travels  before  the  Masonic  Club  at  Wright  Field. 

— — 0O0 — - 

■ BOLLING  FIELD  ENTERTAINS  CUBAN  FOOTBALL  TEAM 

Bolling  Field,  on  November  24th,  had  the  pleasure  of  entertaining  the 
football  team  of  the  West  Pointers  of  Cuba..  Gf  course,  they  were  all  given 
an  airplane  ride,  although  it  was  in  a downpour  of  rain.  Lieut.  Stranathan 
flew  half  of  them  in  the  C~9 , and  Lieut.  Pugh  flew  the  others  in  the  C-4,  - 
our  "sacred  cow,"  as  he  terms  it.  The  visitors  were  also  given  the  opportuni- 
ty of  seeing  how  an  ideal  Air  Corps  post  operates.  They  were  escorted  around 
the  various  departments  with  the  aid  of  1st  Lieuts.  Myers  and  Hicks. 

FLYINC-  CHIEFS 

While  the  duties  of  an  Army  General  require  that  he  spend  many  arduous 
hours  within  the  confines  of  an  office,  two  such  military  leaders  have  not  al- 
lowed their  responsibilities  to  interfere  with  their  skill  in  the  weapon  of 
their  arm.  They  are  Major-General  James  E.  Fechet,  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps, 
and  Brigadier- General  Benjamin'  D.  Foulois,  Assistant  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps, 
both  stationed  in  Washington,  D.C. 

Accompanied  by  Captain  Ira  C.  Eaker,  General  Fechet  recently  completed 
an  inspection  trip  of  various  Ai-r  Corps  activities  throughout  the  country, 
the  tour  terminating  at  Santa  Monica,  Calif.  At  this  point  each  officer  took 
the  delivery  of  a hew  Basic  Training  airplane  from  the  Douglas  Aircraft 
factory.  Piloting  his  own  airplane,  and  leading  the  younger  Army  flyer,  who 
was  in  another  airplane,  General  Fechet  flew  across  the  country  to  Bolling 
Field,  Washington,  D.C. , rolled  his  airplane  up  to  the  flying  line  and  turned 
it  over  to  the  Engineer ■ Officer,  which  happened  to  be  Captain  Eaker  himself, 
now  that  he  had  returned  to  his  home  station. 

While  General : Fechet  was 'making  his  flight  across  the  continent,  his 
assistant,  General  Foulois,  one  of  the  Army’s  first  airplane  pilots,  was.  also 
.making  a flight  inspection.  Older  but : no.  less  able  at  the  controls  than,  he 
was  22  years  ago,  when  he--  first  flew  the'  old  Wright  Army  biplane.,,  he  topped 
off  his  flight  from  Washington  to  the  West  Coast  by  leading  the  four- ship 
formation  from  the  Pacific  Coast  back  to  Bolling  Field,  piloting  his  own  air- 
plane the  entire  distance. 

At  Marfa,  Texas,  a short  distance  by  air  from  El  Paso,  General  Foulois 
was  .required  to  land  in  a hurry,  with  a storm  approaching  and  with  a full  load 
of  baggage  and  almost  a fall  load  of  gas.  This,  together  with  the  fact  that 
the  air-port  at  Marfa  is  a mile  high  and  that  he  made  the  .usual  three-point 
landing  on  the  field,  attested  to  the  Flying  General’s  skill. 

oOo 

ENLISTED-  STRENGTH  CF  THE  AIR-  CORPS 

Reports  of  the  enlisted  strength  of  the  Air  Corps  as  of  October  31,  1930, 
just  compiled, ; show  11,864  enlisted  men,  including  334  Flying  Cadets.  This 
is  an  increase  over  the  previous  month,  but  it  is  principally  due  to  the  new 
class  of  Flying  Cadet's  entering  the  two  Primary ..  Flying  Schools  on  October  15th. 

Two  Sellanca  airplanes  were  christened  at  Bolling  Field  on  November  26th, 
just  -previous  to  their  being 'taken  off  bn  a scientific  flight  through  the 
wilds  of  South  America.  One  was  named  the  "Washington,"  and  the  other  the 
"Lima." 


-350- 


7-6095,  A. C . 


HIGH  ALTITUDE  FORMATION  FLYING 


The  95th.  Pursuit  Squadron,  Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif.,  is  particu- 
larly interested  to  note  that  the  94th  Pursuit  Squadron  of  Selfridge  Field, 
Mich.,  recently  made  an  altitude  flight  in  formation  to  25,000  feet. 

"It  is  interesting  to  observe  another  organization’s  endeavors  in  this 
phase  of  work, 11  says  the  Rockwell  Field  Correspondent , "as  the  95th  has  for  a 
long  time  conducted  innumerable  flights  at  high  altitudes  and  is  considered 
the  pioneer  organization  in  this  work.  The  95th  demonstrated  the  feasibility 
of  high  altitude  formation  at  the  Air  Corps  Maneuvers  held  at  Mather  Field  this 
year.  At  that  time,  Captain  H.M.  Elmer dor f led  his  Squadron  to  itz  zenith, his 
altimeter  registering  33,000  feet.  However,  the  service  type  altimeter  is 
probably  inaccurate  by  several  thousand  feet  at  this  altitude,  so  the  Squadron 
was  credited  with  a record  of  30,000  feet.  Daring  the. maneuvers  it  was  also 
determined  that  26,000' feet  was  the  maximum  efficient  ceiling  of  a Pursuit 
Squadron  in  formation,  using- Doeing  P-12B  airplanes. 

During  the  current  training  season,  the  95th  is  using  the  26,000-foot 
basis  as  the  service  ceiling  for  its  operations,  although  oh. engineering  and 
radio  flights  the  ships  are  pushed  on  to  their  maximum  altitude. 

— -oGo- — 

HI GET  FLYING  AT  BROOKS  FIELD 

Each  night  the  landing  areas  at  Brooks  Field  are  brilliantly  lighted  and 
much  activity  is  evidenced.  Permanent  officers  of  the  Field  are  complying 
with  the  recent  ruling  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  reouiring  all  permanent 
officers  of  the  Air  Corps  to  have  at  least  two  hours’  night  flying  each-  calen- 
dar year  and  at  least  ten  hours  of  blind  flying  a year. 

oOo 

GERMAN  OFFICER  MAKING  GOOD  AS  STUDENT  AT  PRIMARY  FLYING  SCHOOL 

In  the  matriculation  of  Captain  Gerd  von  Massow,  the-  first  German  officer 
to  undergo  flying  training  at  the  primary  Flying  School,  Brooks  Field,'  Texas, 
the  School  has  admittedly  not  only  a seasoned  veteran  of  the  War, but  a veteran 
who  possesses  perhaps  every  decoration  which  his  country  could  bestow  for 
bravery  and  .wounds  received  in  battle.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  War,  Captain 
von  Massow  was  a student  in  the  military  academy  in  Germany.  He  was  graduated 
and  then  plunged  directly  into  the  trenches  where  he  served  four  years.  Just 
before  the  ’outbreak  of  the  War,  Captain  von  Massow  was  in  training  for  the 
purpose  of  becoming  an  airplane  pilot.  He  has  now  chosen  to  finish  this  train- 
ing in  a Flying  School  of  the  United  States  and,  according  to  the  Brooks  Field 
Correspondent,  is  proving  an  exceptional  student. 

cOo 

WORK  OF  THE  SAN  ANTONIO  AIR  DEPOT,  DUNCAN  FIELD. 

During  the  month  of  October,  the  Engineering  Department  of  the  San 
Antonio  Air  Depot  overhauled  a total  of  28  airplanes,  57  engines,  and  repair- 
ed 20  airplanes  and  43  engines.  Planes  overhauled  were  2 A-3,  1 B-5A,  1 
Douglas  W.C.,  i DH-4M-1T,  1 DH-4M-2T,  4 Q2-H,  1 0-11,  1 P-1A,  1 Fl-D,  1 PW-9A, 

1 PW-9C,  3 BT-1,  2 PT-3,  6 PT~3A,..1:  XPQ>-2.,  total  28.  Planes  repaired  were: 

2 A-3B,  1 B~5,  1 0-2C-1,  2 02-H,  1 0-11,  1 0-193,  1 0-22,  2 Q-25A,  1 Pl-B, 

2 PW-9C,  1 BT-1,  1 BT-2,  1 HD-3,  3 PT-3A,  total  20. 

Engines  overhauled:  28  Curtiss  B-12,  23  Wright  J-5,  3 Wright  J-6,  13  Pratt 
& Whitney,  total  67;  repaired,  41  Liberty,  1 Curtiss  D-12,  1 fright  J-5,  total 
43.  ' 

oOo 

BOXING  EXCESS  SUPPLIES  AT  THE  FAIRFIELD  AIR  DEPOT 

Work  is  being  concentrated  on  boxing  excess  supplies  at  the  Fairfield,  0., 
Air  Depot,  in  order  to  facilitate  future  inventories.  Wooden  boxes  made  of 
1 x 6 T & G lumber  were  constructed  of  four  sizes,  viz:  12"x  12"  x 24",  18"  x 
18"  x 30",  24"  x 24"  z 36",  and  24"  x 36"  x ,36". 

One  year’s  supply  of  standard  items  is  being  maintained  in  the  storeroom, 

-351-  V-6095,  A. C. 


and  the  excessive  quantities  are  "being  "boxed  and  placed  in  the  surplus  storage 
section.  A "bin  card  is  tacked  on  the  outside  of  the  "box  listing  the  quantity, 
unit,  part  number  and  nomenclature  of  the  material.  If  this  container  shows  no 
evidence  of  having  "been  tampered  with  since  it  was  placed  in  ‘surplus  storage, 
the  figures  will  "be  accepted  at  time  of  inventory,  without  recount.  These 
boxes  are  constructed  sufficiently  strong  so  as  to  require  no  additional  bracing 
or  crating  in  order  to  prepare  them  for  shipment.  All  that  is  required  is  to 
stencil  the  name  of  the  consignee  on  the  box  and  load  same  in  a car. 

A Time  Routing  Sheet  has  been  inaugurated  in  the  Depot  Supply  Department 
which  is  attached  to  Incoming  manifests  ana  requisitions  showing  the  length  of 
time  the  paper  work  is  retained  in  the  various  sub- departments  at  this  Depot, 
as  follows i to  the  Depot  Supply  Officer;  Requisition  Clerk;  Supervisor;  Book- 
keeping machine  operator;  Storekeeper;  Inspector  and  Shipping  Department . This 
form  readily  indicates  any  delay  that  might  have  occurred  in  handling  a partic- 
ular shipment,  while  channeling  through  the  warehouse.  Prom  these  Routing 
Sheets  the  average  time  can  be  determined  to  prepare  and  complete  shipments 
from  this  Depot.  The  average  time  to  fill  a requisition  for  the  month  of 
September  was  2^  days. 


Work  is  in  progress  of  disposing  of  the  majority  of  the  liberty  Production 
Tools  held  in  storage  at  the  Fairfield  Air  Depot  since  the  War,  through  the 
medium  of  an  I.  & I.  Report.  A Manifest  Sale  was  received  from  the  Materiel 
Division,  directing  the  shipment  of  83  Liberty  engines  to  the  Coast  Guard,  Cape 
May,  H.J. 

Shipping  instructions  were  also  received  for  the  shipment  of  7,000  gallons 
of  reclaimed  oil  in  a tank  car  to  the  San  Antonio  Air  Depot.  At  the  present 
time,  this  oil  is  stored  in  50-gallon  drums,  and  a novel  scheme  was  inaugurated 
of  emptying  the  oil  from  the  drums  to  the  tank  car.  This  is  accomplished  as 
follows;  The  drums  are  loaded  on  a flat  car  and  pulled  up  the  coal  incline  to 
a point  opposite  the  tank  car  situated  on  the  main  track.  This  oil  is  raised 
by  a revolvator  to  a temporary  platform  where  It  is  emptied  into  a 110-gallon 
metal  drum.  A 3- inch  pipe  line  is  attached  to  the  bottom  of  the  drum  and  ex- 
tends 'to  the  opening  of  the  tank  car. 

• oOo— 

LIEUT.  MILLS  LEAVES  WRIGHT  FIELD 

. Lieut.  Samuel  P.  Mills,  who  for  two  years  has  served  as  Chief  of  the 
Technical  Data  Branch,  Materiel  Division,  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  recently 
left  for  Hew  York  City,  where  he  was  assigned  as  Instructor  of  the  Reserve 
Officers  Training  Corps  Unit  attached  to  the  Hew .York  University.  A native  of 
Vermont,  Lieut.  Mills  was  connected  with  McCook  and  Wright  Fields  for  many 
years.  In  1915  he  was  graduated  from  the  University  of  Vermont,  entering  the 
Air  Corps  in  1917. 

In  1920-21  he  studied  at  the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology,  gradu- 
ating from  the  Aeronautical  course.  In  1922  he  graduated  from  the  Air  Corps 
Engineering  School  at  McCook  Field.  From  1922  to  1924,  Lieut.  Mills  served  as 
Officer  in  Charge  of  Instruction  of  the  Engineering  School.  This  was  followed 
by  a period  of  foreign  service  in  the  Philippines,  from  which  he  returned  via 
the  Orient  and  Europe  to  Wright  Field  in  1927. 

For  a time  after  his  return,  Lieut.  Mills  served  in  the  Power  Plant  Branch, 
where  he  was  especially  interested  in  the  flight  testing  of  planes  in  which 
ethylene  glycol  for  engine ' cooling  was  being  used  experimentally.  In  January, 
1928,  he  became  Chief  of  the  Technical  Data  Branch,  and  during  his  incumbency 
of  that  office . was  very  much  in  demand  for  lectures  on  aeronautical  subjects 
and  for  articles  on  various  aeronautical  tonics. 

Lieut.  H.R.  Wells,  who  succeeded  Lieut.  Mills  as  Chief  of  the  Technical 
Data  Branch,  is  also  a graduate  of  the  Engineering  School,  Class  of  1924.  For 
a time  in  1925  he  was  one  of  the  test  pilots  at  McCook  Field.  In  the  following 
year  he  graduated  from  the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology  in  the  Aero- 
nautical Engineering  course,  receiving  the  degree  of  Master  of  Science  In 
Aeronautical  Engineering. 

After  a tour  of  duty  in  the  Philippine  Islands,  Lieut.  Wells  was  assigned 
to  Wright  Field,  being  on  duty  with  the  Equipment  Branch  prior  to  his  transfer 
to  the  Technical  Data  Branch. 


-352- 


V-S095,  A. C. 


LIEUT.  VAI3PRE  WINS -THE  MITCHELL  TROPHY-RACE 
Ry  the  News  Letter  Cerraspordent 

Lieut.  Louis  A.  Vaupre  was  declared,  winner  of  the  famous  Mitchell  Trophy 
Race  on,  November  22nd  at  Self  ridge . Held,  Mt.  Clemens , Mich.  , before  an  esti- 
mated crowd  of  20,000  people. 

This  year,  for  the  first  time  since  1922,  the  Mitchell  Trophy  Race  was 
held  at  Selfridge  Field.  Previously,  this  event  had  been  held  in  connection 
with  the  National  Air -Races-,  but, due  to  the  fact  that  these  races  have  always 
been  entirely  too  crowded,  it  was  decided  to  hold  the  Mitchell  event  at  a 
different  time  and  place  than  that  of  the  National  Races. 

It  was  first  planned  that  the  Ra.ce  be  held  on  November  11th  (Armistice 
Day),  but  it  became  necessary  to  change  the  date  to  November  22nd,  because  the 
94th  Squadron  was  unexpectedly  ordered  to  Washington.  Of  course,  this  date 
was  rather  late  in  the  season,  and  it  was  very  difficult  to  determine  just 
what  kind  of  weather  would  be  handed  out  to  us  by  the  Meteorological  Depart- 
ment, but  they  were  good  to  us  this  time,  and  the  weather  was  not  bad.  There 
was  a chill  wind  blowing,  and  the  shy  was  overcast,  bat  it  seems  that  it  takes 
more  .than  a chill  wind  to  keep  the  uopulace  away  from  one  of  these  events. 

Major  George  H.  Brett,  Post  Commander , and  Major  Gerald  E.  Brower,  com- 
manding the  1st  Pursr.it  Group,  were  in  charge  of  the  entire  program  for  the 
contest,  and  several  weeks  previous  to  the  date  thereof  they  started  laying 
the  foundation  for  the  event  itself.  Rather  a complete  organization  was  formed 
with  the  various  squadron  commanders  in  charge  of  different  departments , such 
as  invitations,  advertising,  concessions,  policing,  etc.  These  officers  or- 
ganized their  individual  squadrons  in  such  a maimer  that  almost  everyone  on 
the  field  had  some  job  to  do  regarding  the  program  of  events,  and  in  this 
manner  everything  seemed  to  run  off  smoothly. 

During  the  afternoon  of  the  Mitchell  Trophy  Race,  the  following  program 
was  had  commencing  at  1:30  and  finishing  at  5:30  p.m.: 


Group  Formation  and  Review:  30  minutes. 

17th  Pursuit'  Squadron  Formation  over  field:  10  minutes. 

94th  Pursuit  Squadron  chain  and  diving:  10  " 

Two-plane  acrobatics  and  balloon  bursting:  15  M 

Dog  fights,  2 elements  (94th  and  17th  Sqdns.)  15  11 

Free  for  all  Race  (57th  Service  Squadron):  25  " 

Acrobatic  element  (17th  Pursuit  Squadron)  20  " 

Composite  Squadron  formation:  ' 25  ", 

Mitchell  Trophy  Race:  1 Hour 

Smoke  Screen  (P-l):  10  Minutes 


In  order  to  have  approximately  eighteen  entries  in.  the  Mitchell  Trophy 
Race  (maximum) , and  because  of  the  impracticability  of  holding  elimination 
races  within  the  Squadrons,  an  arbitrary  ruling' was  made,  limiting  entries 
to  Regular  Army  officers  assigned  to  the  First  Pursuit  Group  for  one  year  or 
more,  who  had  not  previously  entered  a Mitchell  Trophy  Race.  Tnis  resulted 
in  just  eighteen  officers  present  for  duty  being  eligible,  all  of  whom  entered. 

Because  of  the  limitation  on  flying  the  SR-1340  engines  full  throttle  at 
sea  level,  only  P-6  and  P-l  types  of  airplanes  were  entered.  Eight  P-6  air- 
planes (all  water-cooled)  were  available.  The  remaining  ten  were  all  P-l-C 
airplanes.  High  compression  E-12  engines  were  barred. 

The  standing  start  was  used,  ail  airplanes,  being  lined  up  at  the  East 
side  of  the  field  about  100  feet  apart,  heading  West  toward  the  first  -pylon. 

The  P-l-C*  s started  at  a flag  signal  at  4:00  -p.m. , and  the  P-G’s  were  started 
with  another  signal  six  minutes  and  45  seconds  later.  The  handicap  was  set, 
using  the  published  high  s-peeds  of  the  two  types,  checked  by  a comparison  of 
actual  times  around  one  lap  by  one  average  P-l-C  and  one  average  P-6.  One 
scattering  lap  of  31.3  ‘miles  (first  pylon  being  Northwest  corner  of  hangar  at 
Packard  Proving  Ground,  other  pylons  same  as  other  laps)  then  six  laps  of  15 
miles  each  (turns  at  pylon  on  field,  water  tower  on  Lake  Shore  .Golf  Course, 
and  flag  on  point  of  iand  just  east  of  Field),  with  finish  at  home  pylon,  were 
flown,  making  total  course  121.3.  miles. 

In  the  first  event  Major  Brower  led  the  entire  Group,  consisting  of  54 
ships,  ipast  the  spectators  several  times  in  different  formations;  the  first  of 
these  was  squadrons  in  line  passing  in.  review;  second,  one  large  echelon  of 
elements  led  hy  Headquarters  and  followed  by  the  27th,  94th  and  17th  Squadrons 
in  order.  After  this  the  Group  formed  a large  "V"  with  Headquarters  element  at 
the  point  of  the  "V"  and  with  the  other  squadrons  echeloned  back  on  either  side 

-353-*  V-  6095,  A.C. 


in  elements.  • All... .the.  different  maneuvers  lay  the  Jlraup-as,-a. whole- were  m>ef^orm- 
ed.  upon  signals  from  the  d3ronp  -.Commandants  ..ship,  A large  ,rT"  formed  hy  the 
Group  was  one  of  the  most  impressive  events  of  the  day  and  "brought  many  favor- 
able comments  from  the  spectators  on  the  ground. 

Another  of  the  prominent  events  on  the  day’s  program  was  the  stunt  flyirg 
and  balloon  bursting  of  Lieuts.  J.S.  Griffith  and  Stuart  P.  Wright,  individual- 
ly, and  of  Lieuts.  War  bur  ton,  Burns  and  Van  Auken  in  a 3- ship  element.  These 
latter  three  did  some  very  accurate  flying  in  close  formation,  Immellman  turns, 
loops  and  slow  rolls  as  an  element. 

It  was  interesting  to  watch  the  free-for-all  race,  which  was  a mixed 
event  containing  a tri-motored  Ford,  an  A-3,  P-3,  and  a PT-3.  Of  course,  the 
different  ships  were  given  handicaps  according  to  their  rated  speeds,  and  it 
was  planned  in  this  way  to  give  each  of  the  pilots  an  even  chance  to  win.  The 
spectators,  of  course,  not  realizing  everything  about  this  handicap,  seemed  to 
get  quite  a laugh  out  of  seeing  the  different  types  of  ships  all  in  the  same 
race.  As  a matter  of  fact,  it  did  look  most  peculiar  to  see  the  P-3  come 
zip-ping  past  and  then  the  P-T  come  sailing  by  in  what  seemed  like  a slow  glide 
in  comparison.  Then,  too,  the  big  Ford  came  by  with  such  a roar  that  a person 
would  think  it  was  moving  twice  as  fast  as  it  really  was.  This  event  was  won 
by  Lieut.  Culbertson  in  the  P-3  by  virtue  of  his  clever  -pylon  turns. 

The  Mitchell  Trophy  Pace,  which  was  the  feature  of  the  day,  was  started 
on  scheduled  time;  the  ten  R-l’s  taking  off  first,  and  then  eight  P-6’s  just 
6 minutes  and  45  seconds  later.  There  was  a speculation  among  the  pilots  on 
the  field  as  to  just  how  long  the  new  P-6’s  would  hold  up  under  the  strain  of 
continued  high  speed  required  in  the  race.  They  seemed  to  do  their  stuff 
pretty  well,  however,  but  were  unable  to  overcome  the  handicap  that  were  given 
them  in  most  cases.  The  only  mishaps  occurring  during  the  Races  were  two 
forced  landings,  damage  being  minor  and  repairable  at  the  field. 

The  races  were  officially  timed  by  Mr.  Laevell  and  Mr.  Ray  Cooper,  of 
Detroit.  Their  work  was  very  efficient,  even  though  a cold  wind  was  blowing 
across  the  backs  of  their  necks  while  they  stood  on  top  of  the  timing  stand. 

The  program  was  not  scheduled  to  start  until  1:30,  but  by  12; 30  the  toads 
for  several  miles  around  the  Post  were  jammed  with  car-loads  of  people  on 
their  way  to  the  field.  Ticket  sellers  were  stationed  at  vantage  points  on 
the  main  highways,  but  even  this  precaution  did  not  prevent  continued  traffic 
jams  until  long  after  the  program  was  started. 

Captain  Ott,  who  was  in  charge  of  the  concessions,  arranged  for  specta- 
tors to  satisfy  the  gnawing  hunger  in  their  stomachs  at  various  times  during 
the  afternoon.  The  only  thing  that  was  necessary  for  these  above  mentioned 
hungry  people  to  do  was  to  stop  at  Hangar  12,  hand  over  a bit  of  cold  cash  and 
ask  i ‘or  a hot  dog  and  a cup  of  coffee. 

Among  the  invited  guests  present  during  the  afternoon  were  Brigadier- 
General  Henry  Conger  Pratt,  Chief  of  the  Materiel  Division  at  Wright  Pield, 
and  Mr.  and  Mi’s,  Cook  of  Detroit,  Mrs.  Cook  being  a sister  of  General  Fechet, 
Chief  of  the  Air  Corps. 

It  is  agreed  by  all  concerned  that  the  complete  cooperation  of  the  vari- 
ous newspapers  in  and  around  Detroit,  and  also  the  news-reels,  was  one  of  the 
contributing  factors  for  a successful  urogram.  The  papers  all  carried  consi- 
derable Mitchell  Trophy  news,  and  several  of  them  went  so  far  as  to  carry 
large  8- column  -pictures. 

Side  Lights  on  the  Mitchell  Trophy  Sneed  Contest 

The  17th  Pursuit  Souadron  had  six  participants  in  the  Mitchell  Trophy 
Race,  namely,  Lieuts,  Coleman,  Theisen,  Ryan,  Van  Auken,  Bums  and  Slaght. 
Lieuts,  Ryan  and  Slaght  flew  P~lss  and  the  others  the  P-S’s.  From  all  reports 
it  seems  that  Lieut.  Coleman  would  have  won  the  race  had  he  not  been  unfortu- 
nate in  having  motor  trouble  which  forced  him  out  in  the  sixth  lap.  He  made 
his  forced  landing  all  right,  but  the  field  was  too  short  and  he  crashed  into 
a tree  at  the  end  which  took  off  one  of  the  wings.  Otherwise,  the  ship  was 
not  damaged  at  all.  Lieuts.  Burns  and  Van  Auken  placed  ninth  and  tenth, 
respectively.  The  pilots  participating  all  decided  that  the  P-i’s  were  given 
too  much  of  a handicap  because  there  didn’t  seem  to  be  a chance  for  a P-6  to 
win  the  race. 

The  17th  Squadron  furnished  three  pilots  to  oppose  three  94th  officers 
in  a dog  fight  for  part  of  the  show  preceding  the  Mitchell  Race.  Lieuts. 

~ -354-*  V-6095,  A.C. 


Thais  en,  .Ityan.  andj&ee&^^jr,  , made  up  ^erero-iiha...  R^th^and  - t nay  did  them- 

selves proud.  The  crowd  ^tJpccill^d--a±.Jdie- 3fra&_  in  which,  'they  twisted  and  turned 
and  then  pounced  upon  their  opponents-.. 

The  most  spectacular  flying  of.  the -circus  was  performed  hy  a three-ship 
element  of  P-lSC’s,  flown  hy  Lieut s.  Warburton,  Burns  and  Van  Auken,  all' of  the 
17th  Squadron.  These  officers  -provided  the  prettiest  hit  of  formation  stunt  iig 
it  has  ever  been  the  good  fortune  of  the  Hews  Letter  Correspondent  to  watch, 
not  excepting  the  Three  Musketeers,  the  Hav  1 s Air  Race  team  or  the  Marine 
team.  The  most  thrilling  of  the  stunts  was  a slow  roll  with  overlapped  wing 
tips,  the  ships  never  being  over  five  feet  apart.  An  Immelmann  turn  was  per- 
formed in  the  same  manner.  It  is  believed  that  these  two  stunts  were  never 
before  successfully  attempted  in  close  formation.  Selfridge  Held  pilots  are 
unanimous  in  conceding  these  officers  the  All-American  Acrobatic  title. 

The  27th  Pursuit  Squadron  took  an  active  part  in  the  Air  Meet  and  the 
Mitchell  Trophy  Race.  The  27th* s ships  came  out  in  first,  second  and  third 
places;  Lieut.  Vaupre  winning  first  place  / Lieut.  Smith,  second,  and  Lieut. 
Bolen,  third.  Lieut.  Yost,  leading  the  Race  by  over  a mile  when  his  motor 
threw  a connecting  rod,  was  forced  down.  He  landed  on  the  Willow  Gun  Club 
Ranges  without  injury  to  himself  or  his  ship.  Sergeant  Harry  Brown  gave  one 
of  the  most  practiced  smoke  screen  demons! rat ions  just  before  the  Race  was 
completed.  It  is  believed  the  Race  Committee  and  the  timers  can  verify  this 
statement . The  FT™ 3 A assigned  to  this  Squadron,  piloted  by  Lieut.  Rhudy,  came 
out  second  in  the  Free-for-All  Race. 

Members  of . the  First.  Pursuit : -Sr oaf):; who  participated  in  th  contest  for 
the-  Mitchell  Trophy  are  enumerated  below,  as  follows; 

1st  Lt.'  Marion  L.  Elliott,  Hew7  York  City  . L. 0.  Ryan,  Elk  Point, S.D. 

2nd  Lt . Bryant  L.  Boatner,  Hew  Orleans, La.  M.F.  Slaght , • 'Mt .Vernon , Iowa. 

' Theodore 'M,  , Bolen  Minot,  H.D.  Geo.F.  Smith,  ' Bath,  HVY. " 

Robert  W.  ..Burns,.,  Eau  Claire,  -Wls » ■ ■•■E.H.- -VanAuken,  Bergenf'ieldYH. J, 

Prank  J.  Coleman,  JBethe^da,  Md.  : E HI . .Telilman , ' Hew  Salem, H.D. 

'Clarence  P„  .Hegy-'  Hartford,  Conn.  Carl  P, The! s:eii'; Meridian,  Conn. 

Curtis  .E,.  LeMay  . ■ Columbus,,.  QhiOi,:  L.A.  Vaupre:  ■ " 'Kalamazoo', Mich.' 

Win..  R.  Morgan  Hinton,.  Okla.  ' .S.  ,P,  Wright;"-'.  Balias Texas,. 

Roger  M.  Ramey, ■ Benton,  Texas-.  ••••  Emmett  F.  Yost  Down's,.  Kansas, 

* — -oOo — — 

LIEUT.  WESTLEY  HITS  MASON  M.  '.PATRICK  TROPHY  RACE 

Through  just  one  of  those  coincidents,  the  Mason  M.  Patrick  Trophy  Race, 
limited  to  members  of  the  Third  Attack  Group,  was  held  on  Hovember  22nd  at  Port 
Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas,  cn  the  same  day  the  Mitchell  Trophy  Race  was  held 
at  Selfridge  Field.  Lieut.'  L.C.  Westley,  with  an  average  speed  of  149.  2 
miles  per  hour  over  a 60-mile  course,  won  the  contest,  but  he  was  closely 
pressed  by  Lieut s.  C.P,  Recknagel  and  T.W.  Imlay,  who  averaged  148.9  and  148.8 
miles  per  hour,  respectively. 

The  racers  dashed  over  a big  triangular  course,  ten  miles  around,  which  was 
set  off  by  pylons,  two  of  which  were:sfc  the  edge  of  the  Gulf.  The  Attackers, 
it  appeared,  flew  at  an  altitude  of  hardly  more  than  30  feet,  and  as  they 
rounded  the  pylons  seemed  to  miss  them  by  very  close  margin's.  Of  the  nineteen 
contestants  who  participated  in  the  race , two  failed  to  finish.  The  motor  of 
Lieut.  J.H.  Catching1 s.  plane  caught  fire  and  he  was  forced  to  land.  Heither 
the  pilot  nor  the  plane  suffered  injury.  Lieut.  H.C.  West  was  disqualified 
for  cutting' a pylon. 

Ho  official  report  covering  the  race  has  thus  far  been  received,  but  a 
communication  received  from  the  Hews  Letter  Correspondent  just  prior  to  the 
date  cf  the  event  gave  some  of  the  details  covering  the  preparations  made 
therefor.  It  was  stated  that  in  order  to  relieve  excessive  strain  and  wear 
on  the  engines,  the  Race  Committee,  composed  of  Captain  Virgil  Hine , command- 
ing the  90th  Attack  Squadron;  Captain  Lotha  A.  Smith,  commanding  the  8th  Attack, 

. 1st  Lieut,  Ralph  P.  Stsarley,  commanding • the  13th  Attack  Squadron;  1st  , 
Lieut.  John  P.  Whitely,  Commanding  the  60th  Service  Squadron,  and  1st  Lieut. 
Oscar  L.  Beal,  90th  Attack  Squadron,  decided  to  reduce  the  total  distance  to 
be  flown  to  60  miles.  A ten-mile  course  had  been  marked  off,  and  carpenters 
were  busy  constructing  three  pylons. 

With  the  erection  of  the  pylons,  it  was  planned  for  each  Squadron  to  hold 
a series  of  elimination  tests  in  order  to  chcyose  the  pilots  for  the  Race.  Each  „ 
Squadron  was  to  enter  five  pilots,  except  the  Service  Squadron,  which  was 

' -355-  V-6095,  A.C. 


limited  to  two  entries,  the  order  of  starting  to  he  determined  by  lot.  The 
start  of  the  race  was  to  he  made  from. a Luf berry  Circle,  .with  approximately 
one-half  mile  separating  each  plane  as  the  dive  was  made  across  the  starting 
line. 

The  Major-General  Mason  M«  Patrick  Trophy  is  a beautiful  bronze  -claque, 

18  inches  wide  and  24  inches  long.  It  is  mounted  on  a piece  of  ebony.  ' The 
upper  half  of  the  Trophy  depicts  a scene  from  the  race.  Planes  are  shown  ap- 
proaching, from  the  right,  and  a pylon  at  the  extreme  left.  The  lower  half  of 
the  Trophy  has  been  reserved  for  the  purpose  of  recording  the  names  of  the 
winners  from  year  to  year.  Seventeen  pairs  of  wings  are  divided  into  five 
columns;  the  two  outer  columns  have  four  wings  each,  while  the  three  inner 
columns  have  three  wings  each.  The  columns  are  separated  from  each  other  by 
lighted  torches.  Each  year  the  winner’s  name  is  engraved  above  one  of  the 
wings.  At  the  base  of  the  plaque  is  the  following  inscription; 

Major  General  M.M.  Patrick 
Trophy 

Por  the  Third  Attack  Group  Race 
Presented  by  F.  Trubee  Davison. 

0O0 

HONORS  TO  JIMMI  DOOLITTLE 

At  about  the  same  time  that  Captain  Eddie  Rickenbacker , American  "Ace"  of 
Aces,  was  awarded  the  Medal  of  Honor,  another  ex- Army  flyer  of  international 
fame,  Lieut,  (now  Maj or)  James  H.  Doolittle  , was  awarded  a decoration,  which 
in  name  stands  as  the  most  appropriate  ever  given  by  an  appreciative  govern- 
ment to  a flyer  for  exploits  of  valor  and  skill.  This  was  the  Order  of  "Condor 
of  the  Andes,"  awarded  by  the  Bolivian  government  to  Doolittle  for  his  deeds  in 
South  America  while  on  leave  status  on  a coome&siul  mission  to  Latin  America. 

In  1926,  Doolittle,  representing  a prominent  American  manufacturer  of 
military  airplanes, -was  demonstrating  this  company’s  products  to  the  govern- 
ments of  the  Southern  continent.  His  actions  read  like’ a -page  torn  from  the 
wildest  of  fiction.  When  one  European  demonstrator  took  the  air  in  competition 
with  him,  Doolittle  took  off  also  and. rode  his  competitor  down  to  the  ground. 
Later  on,  the  tibia  of  both  legs  broken  by  an  accidental  fall,  Doolittle  took 
off,  his  crutches  beside  him  in  the  .cockpit,  and  flew  over  the  Andes  from 
Santiago,  Chili,  to  LaPaz,  Eolivia.  Army  aviation  of  the  United  States  flew 
high  in  the  esteem  of  the.  people  of  South  America  as  a result  of  Doolittle’s 
actions. 

Appreciative  of  his  incomparable  flying  skill,  Bolivia  turned  over  to  him 
the  Decoration  of  "Officer  of  the  National  Order  of  Condor  of  the  Andes."  As 
he  is  a Reserve  officer  at  the  present  time,  having  resigned  last  year  from  the 
Regular  Service,  Doolittle  is  authorized  to  accept  this  foreign  decoration 
without  first  obtaining  the  consent  of  Congress. 


While  on  the  subject  of  Major  Doolittle,  it  may  be  appropriate  to  quote 
the  following  editorial  which  appeared  in  a.  recent  issue  of  the  Seattle  TIMES: 

"If  the  question  were  put  to  the  American  people,  it  is  likely  they  would 
say  the  outstanding  aviator  of  the  world  was  Lindbergh  or  Byrd.  However,:  the 
airmen  themselves  have  a different  opinion;  in  a recent  poll  they  awarded  that 
honor  to  James  Doolittle,  former  lieutenant  and  crack  test  pilot  of  the 
American  Army  Air  Service.  He  is  credited  with  contributing  .more  to  the  prog- 
ress and  development  of  aviation  than  any  other  man. 

It  is  a little  startling  to  learn  that  the  men  who  actually  pilot  airplanes 
should  set  Lieutenant  Doolittle  above  such  men  as  Lindbergh,  Byrd,  Chamberlin, 
Hawks,  and  a half  dozen  others  who  have  commanded  public  consideration  for  out- 
standing accomplishments.  The  public,  which  cannot  remember  from  year  to  year 
the  names  of  ocean- hopping  pilots,  hardly  could  be  expected  to  keep  Lieutenant 
Doolittle’s  name  in  mind  or  remember  his  record  of  achievement.  Some  will  re- 
call that  five  years  ago  he  won  the  International  Schneider  Cup’ race  for  fast 
flying,  but  with  his  service  in  flying  blindly  through  opaque  fogs,  in  deter- 
mining how  much  strain  the  human  consciousness  and  planes  could  stand,  in  sell- 
ing planes  abroad,  and  in  the  preparation  of  technical  books  on  flying,  few  are 
acquainted.  He  tested  plane  wings  until  they  cracked  and  demonstrated  the  ex- 
treme limit  of  body  pressure. 

The  current  number  of  The  American  Magazine  pays  well-deserved  tribute  to 

-356-  V-6095,  A.C. 


Lieutenant  Doolittle...  As  a.  result  of  Ms  fortitude  and  daring, -aviators  have 
a fair  idea  of  what  their  planes  'will  do  under  any  conditions.  Flying  men  evi- 
dently hold  him  in  higher  esteem  than  the  pilots  who  perform  Spectacular  feats 
of  no  S'pecial  benefit  to  our  newest  means  of  transportation," 

— -0O0 

WAR  DEPARTMEHT  ORDERS  AFFECTIKG-  AIR  CORPS  OFFICERS 

Changes  of  Station:  1st  Lieut.  Thomas  D.  White  from  duty  as  student  in 
Chinese  Language,  Peiping,  China,  to  larch  Field,  Calif. 

1st  Lieut.  Burnie  R.  Dallas,  Letterman  General  Hospital,  San  Francisco, 
Calif.,  to  appear  before  Retiring  Board. 

Captain  Thomas  Boland,  'March  Field,  to  Mather  Field,  Sacrament i,  Calif. 

2nd  Lieut.  John  H.  McCormick,  Langley  Field,  to  the  Philippines,  sailing 
from  Hew  York  about  January  .13,  1931. 

Captain  Edgar  P.  ..Sorenson,  2nd  Lieuts.  Dale  D.  Fisher  and  Elwell  A. Sanborn, 
March  Field,  to  Philippines,  sailing  from  San  Francisco  about  Feb.  4,  1931. 

Upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in  Philippines,  1st  Lieut s.  John  M. 
McDonnell'  to  Mitchel  Field,  U.Y. ; Joseph  Smith  to  Air  Cores  Training  Center, 
Duncan  Field,  Texas;  George  A.  Whatley  to  Mather  Field,  Calif.;  Ho hart  R. Yeager 
to  Bolling  Field,  D.C. 

2nd  Lieut.  Robert  L.  Easton,  Panama,  to  Air  Corps  Training  Center,  Texas. 

2nd  Lieut.  Edgar  M.  Scattergood,  Reserve,  Selfridge  Field,  to  Dodd  Field, 
Texas,  and  to  he  relieved  from  active  duty  June  30,  1930. 

Relieved  from  Detail  to  the  Air  Corns:  2nd  Lieut.  Mahlon  S.  Davis  to  the 
18th  Field  Artillery,  Fort  Riley,  Kansas;  2nd  Lieuts.  Claude  E.  Jurney,  Theodore 
F.  Bogart  to  Infantry,  2nd  Division,  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas;  1st  Lieut. Lester 
M.  Rouch  to  76th  Field  Artillery,  Presidio  of  Monterey,  Calif. 

Reserve  Officers  detailed  to  extended  active  duty;  2nd  Lieuts.  Ross  U. 

Hague t,  Centerville,  Texas;  Hernan  C.  West,  Hamilton-,  Texas,  to  Fort  Crockett, 
Texas,  January  2 to  June  30,  1931;  John  S.  Blanchard,  Inglewood,  Calif.,  to 
France  Field,  Panama,  same  period;  Mitchell  P.  Borden,  Hew  Orleans,  La.,  to 
Maxwell  Field,  Ala.,  same  period;  James  D.  Pendleton,  Charlotte,  U.C.,  to 
Pope  Field,  N.C. , December  4 to  June  2,  1931;  John  Leighton  Ames,  Jr.,  Live  Oak, 
Calif.,  to  Rockwell  Field,  Calif.,  December  1 to  June  30,  1931;  Joel  G-.  Pitts, 
Oklahoma  City,  Okla. , to  Post  Field,  Okla. , Jan.  IS  to  June  30,  1931;  William  C. 
Bryan,  Jr.,  Fort  Worth,  Texas,  to  Post  Field,  Okla.,  Jan.  2 to  June  30,.  1931. 

Extended  active  duty  tours  of  2nd  Lieuts.  Lane  W.  Sharman,  V. L.  Brown, Louis 
W.  Strieher,  John  C.  Crain,  Edward  D.  Hoffman,  William  A.  Cocke,  Jr.,  and  Harry 
D.  Clapper,  further  extended  to  June  30,  1931. 

Promotion;  to  grade  of  Captain  - 1st  Lieuts.  Robert  V.  Ignico  from  Hov.  11; 
Leland  R.  Hewitt  from  Hoy ember  20th;  Clifford  C.  Kutt  from  November  26th. 

Resignation;  2nd  Lieut.  Harry  Fnit field  Howze. 

oOo 

LIEUT.  JOHUSOU  MAKES  VERY  LOW  PARACHUTE  JUMP 

The  Selfridge  Field  Correspondent  states  that  it  has  been  brought  to  his 
attention  that  1st  Lieut.  Harry  A.  Johnson,  commanding  the  94th  Pursuit  Sciuad- 
ron,  has  now  the  record  of  the  lowest  parachute  jump  in  the  history  of  the  Air 
Corps.  It  seems  that  the  "Skipper",  while. he  was  in  Washington  with  his  Squad- 
ron attending  the  Ri.ckenba.cker  ceremonies,  became  imbued  with  an  uncontrollable 
desire  to  get  hold  of  his  parachute  "right  now;"  in  other  words,  immediately. 

In  doing  so,  he  grabbed  the  "handle"  which  is  placed  in  such  a peculiarly  handy 
position,  and  pulled  with  a mighty  heave.  Of  course,  it  is  not  necessary  to 
explain  to  loyal  members  of  the  good  old  Air  Corps  just  what  happened  at  the 
next  juncture.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  "Skipper"  unquestionably  holds  the  record. 

oOo 

ARRIVAL  OF  THE  P-6  PURSUIT  AIRPLANE 

The  eyes  of  Self  ridge  Field  personnel  were  recently  attracted  slsyward  by 
the  mighty  roar  that  heralded  the  arrival  of  the  first  P-6*s  at  that  field. 

They  were  ferried  by  Lieuts.  Elliott,  Olsen  and  Vaupre,  all  three  officers 
agreeing  that  a P-6  was  .by  far-  the  best  airplane  they  had  ever  flown.  In  addi- 
tion to  claiming  them  Selfridge  Field’s  speediest  ship,  Lieut.  Olsen  also  stated 
that  it  could  easily  out- maneuver  any  airplane  yet  built. 

' : . -357- 


V-6095 ,A. C. 


RESERVES  EE  JOT  PROFITABLE-  TO  WEEKS  TRAINING  AT  SCOTT  ' FIELD 

Reserve  training  ms  given  the:  front  rank  .af  . importance  at  Scott  Field, 
Belleville,  111,,  during  the  first  two  weeks  of  November.  While  this  training 
is  usually  confined  to  the  summer  months,  it  was  recently  found  that  enough 
money  was  available  for  a limited  nUjnber  of  officers  in  the  Corps  Area  to  he 
given  a tour  of  active  duty  for  14  days,  and  as  a result  fifteen  heavier-than- 
air  pilots  were  ordered  for  duty  from  November  2nd  to  15th,  Thirteen  of  the 
officers  reported  and  were  attached,  to: the  15th  Observation  Squadron  for  their 
training,  Capt.  Wolcott  P.  Hayes,  commanding. 

Under  the  direction  of  Captain  Edyes  and  1st  Lieut.  F.A.  Johnson,  the 
Squadron  Operations  Officer,  the  training  period  went  through  without  a hitch, 
and  at  its  conclusion  the  Reserve  officers  were  unanimous  in  expressing  their 
opinion  that  it  was  the  best  camp  .they  had  ever  attended.  The  regular  service 
equipment  of  the  Squadron  was  augmented  by  the  addition  of  four  PT!s  from  the 
Fairfield  Air  Depot  and  one  P~3A  from  Selfridge  Field,  Mich.  The  Reserve  offi- 
cers proved  to  be  exceptionally  well  qualified  pilots,  and  it  was  possible,  to 
put  most  of  them  on  service  type  planes  almost  immediately.  Every  possible 
minute  was  devoted  to  their  flying  training,  while  the  class  room  lectures  and 
various  demonstrations  of  service  equipment  were  hold  during  inclement  weather. 
The  weather  kindly  accommodated  itself  to  the  schedule,  and  it  was  possible  to 
complete  all  of  the  training  that  had  been  listed. 

On  the  evening  before  their  getaway  day,  the  officers  of  the'  post  gave  a 
dance  in  honor  of  the  Reserve  officers  and  then  as  a climax  to  all  the  good 
feeling  that  had  been  expressed  on' both  sides,  Major  Robert  D.  Bedinger,  the 
senior  officer  of  the  Reserves,  presented  the  Officers1  Club  with  a large 
painting  of  "The  Guardsman."  Lieut. -Col.  John  A.  Paegelow,  the  Post  Commander, 
accepted  on  behalf  of  the  Club  and  expressed  his  appreciation  of  the  fine 
spirit  which  had  been  shown  during  the  camp. 

One  of  the  noteworthy  features  of  the  training  period  was  that  there  was 
not  a single  accident  of  any  sort  or  description,  and  in  no  instance  did  a 
plane  have  to  be  put  out  of  commissionbecause  of  and  damage  caused  thru  their 
operation  by  the  Reserve  officers. 

- — oOo 

BOMBING  OF  OBSOLETE-  AIRPLANES  AT  CAMP  STANLEY 

Pilots-  of  the  8th  and  90th  Attack  Squadrons,  3rd  Attack  Group.,  Fort 
Crockett',  Galveston,  Texas,  returned  from  Camp  Stanley,  Texas,  much  enthused 
with  the  results  of  the  realistic  bombing  staged  there.  The  Group,  planes  made 
‘three  attacks  on  two  rows  of  condemned  planes  arranged  to  simulate  an  enemy 
airdrome.  The  first  two  attacks  were  made,  using  small  fragmentation  bombs 
from  an  altitude  of  about  400  feet.  Practically  all  the  planes  were  damaged. 
Three  \7ere  burned  by  direct  hits,  and  tail  surfaces  were  blown  from  others. 

An  attack  was  then  made  on  the  remaining  planes  with  100-pound  demolition 
bombs,  flights  of  three  planes  dropping  four  '100-pound  bombs  simultaneously. 
Turmoil  reigned  supreme.  Planes  were  blown  into  the  air,  while  others  were 
turned  over  and  burned.  Holes  were  blasted  in  the  ground  large  enough  to  bury 
an  automobile. 

Many  of  the  Attack  planes  were  hit  by  fragments  from  their  own  bombs,  as 
holes  in  the  fabric  showed.  Lieut.  F.E.  Calhoun's  plane  was  put  out  of  commis- 
sion by  a fragment  that  went  through  the  oil  tank.  Although  oil  covered  his 
■goggles  and  clothing,  he  was  able  to  land- at  the  Camp  Stanley  airdrome  before 
the  oil  had  all  leaked  out. 

News  reel  cameramen  with  sound  machines  recorded  the  exhibition. 

— oOo— — 

NATIONAL  GUARD  AIRMEN  MAKS  LONG  CROSS- COUNTRY 

Lieuts.  Robinson  and  fallen,  of  the  40th  Division,  Aviation,  California 
National  Guard,  and  Lieut.  Carroll,  Unit  Instructor,  recently  returned  from  the 
longest  cross-country  flight  ever  undertaken  by  a National  Guard  Squadron,  ■ In 
three  weeks  time  the  three  ships  covered,  some  7,000  miles  - Los  Angeles  to 
Boston  and  return.  The  trip  was  for  the  purpose  of  transporting  personnel  to 
the  National  Guard  Annual  Convention  at  Boston,  and  also  included  a few  days 
stay-over  for  the  American  Legion  National  Convention  at  that  place.  The  route 
■taken  was  via  Boeing  Air  Transport  to  Chicago,  thence  on  direct  line  to  Boston 
and  return  via  the  Southern  route.  The  flight  reports  warm  receptions  and 
efficient  cooperation  from  all  stations  visited. 

-358- 


7-6095,  A.  C. 


a .gemogether  of  orrwr  aid  air.  cobps  officers 

At  a dinner  given  "by  the  Washington  .post  of  the  Army  Ordnance  Association 
on  November  21st  at  the  Army,  Uavy  and  Marine  Corps  Country  Club,  about  30  Air 
Corps  officers,  stationed'  in  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps  and 
Bolling  Field,  were  the  guests  to  listen  to  Assistant  Secretary  of  War  Frederick 
H.  Payne;  Colonel  E.A.  Deeds,  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  ftajor- General  James  E.  Fechet, 
Chief  of  the  Air  Corps;  and  last, but  not  least,  Lieut .-Colonel  C.G.  Mettler, 
President  of  the  Washington  Chapter  of  the  Amy  Ordnance  Association,  speak  of 
Industry  and  the  Ordnance  and  the  Air  Corps. 

In  his  opening  remarks , Col.  Mettler  called  attention  to  the  fact  that  two 
of  the  Army1 s first  anti-aircraft  experimenters  were  present  at  the  luncheon 
that  day,  Brigadier- General  Benjamin  D.  Foulois , Assistant  Chief  of  the  Air 
Corps,  and  himself.  In  1903  and  1909,  -they  were  stationed  at  Sandy  Hook,  H. J. , 
where  Colonel  Mettler  shot  at  a 30-foot  balloon  maneuvered  from  the  ground  by 
General  Foulois.  He  stated  that  he  thought  he  hit  it  once  in  the  months  of 
practice , hut  believed  that  that  particular  shot  was  an  accident. 

General  Fechet  was  then  introduced  and  spoke  briefly.  "We  of  the  Air 
Corps,"  he  stated,  "are  dependent  upon  the  Ordnance  for  our  munitions.  Without 
them  our  pursuit  and  Attack  planes  would  be  useless,  for  airplanes  would  have 
no  means  of  striking  blows  at  the  enemy,  and  no  means  of  defending  themselves 
from  the  aerial  attack  of  enemy  aircraft." 

Colonel  Deeds,  the  next  speaker,  sketched  the  development  of  the  Air  Corps 
from  the  war  (when  he  served  in  it)  to  the  present  time.  He  pointed  out  how 
little  aircraft  ordnance  we'  had  when  we  entered  the  air;  how  little  was  known 
in  industry  about  the  requirements of  the  Air  Service  for  ordnance  and  armament; 
that  he  nearly  entered. the  Ordnance  Department , but  by  circumstances  got  into 
the  Air  Service  instead. 

"It  is  hard  for  -persons  in  the  industrial  world  to  appreciate  Army  Indus-  . 
trial  problems,"  Col.  Deeds  stated.  "Fortunately,  Assistant  Secretary  of  War 
Payne,  who  is  charged  with  procurement,  knows  the  problems  confronting  the 
Army  and'  those  of  the  outside  industries  and  is  able  to  coordinate • intelligently 
the  efforts  of  both  spheres. 

Hie  Army  'Ordnance  Association  also  does  a wonderful  work,  with' its  members 
in  and 'out  of  the  service  coordinating  their  efforts  to  give  the  Army  better 
Ordnance  supplies . It  is  surprising  how  much  interest  is  taken  by  outsiders  in 
what  Ordnance  the  Army  gets  and  uses,  an  intelligent' interest  horn  of  the  desire 
that  the  Army  receive  the  best  that  money  affords. 

It  was  striking  to  those  of  us  who  came  into  the  Army  in  1917  to  note  the 
unpreparedness  of  the  country  for  war.  Europe  had  been  on  fire  for  three  years, 
yet  in  1917  no  one  in  the  United  States  knew  what  it  was  all  about  except  those 
In  the  .Army,  who  knew  what  it  was  about  but  could  not  do  anything  because  of 
the  lack  of  appropriations  of  past  years  which  prevented  them  from  developing 
anything  of  their  own . 

To  say  that  there  will  not  be  another  war  is  foolish.  War  may  he  lessened 
in  its  occurrence  by  bhe  shrinking  of  the  world,  caused  by  rapid  means  of  travel 
and  communication  and  development  of  world  trade,  but  when  it  does  come  it  will 
come  quicker  than  it  has  heretofore. 

You  cannot  buy  TIME.  It  takes  time  to  get  prepared.  A sudden  flow  of  ap- 
propriations will  not  entirely  solve  the  problem.  For  ages  it  has  taken  three 
weeks  to  hatch  an  egg,  and  you  can1 t improve  on  that.  It  takes  constant  prepa- 
ration for  preparedness.  That 1 s the  best  preparedness  and  the  cheapest  by  far. 
The  appropriat ions  for  development  for  the  Air  Corps  and  the  Ordnance  should  be 
several  times  what  it  is  now. 

Ho  sensible  person  should  wish  appropriations  to  go  way  down  because  the 
country  is  going  through  a period  of  depression.  The  country  will  perk  up  soon. 
That  is  bound  to  happen.  If  interest  in  the  Army  on  the  part  of  the  people 
slumps  because  there  may  bo  a temporary  depression,  then  the  efficiency  of  the 
Army  will  slump.  The  Army  personnel  may  be  highly  efficient,  but  they  cannot  do 
much  .on  starvation  appropriations. 

There  would  be  no  commercial  aviation  without  the  service  aviation.  The 
latter  is  the  steadying  influence  in  these  times  of  depression  that  helps  the 
industry  and  the  operating  services  pull  through  the  low  places . " 

In  closing,  Colonel  Deeds  stated  that  "it  is  refreshing  to  get  into  the 
atmosphere  of  stability  that  you  encounter  in  the  Army.  The  Army,  like  the 
country,  goes  on.  That  is  the  snirit , believe  me,  that  ihakes  it  so  refreshing 

-359-  V-6095,  A.C. 


for  me  to  .leave  Wall. Street.. and  its  pessimism  and  be  ;with- you  "here  today," 

"I  can  only  echo  the  sentiments 'uf^ColonalDeeds., " said  Assistant  Secretary 
of  War  Payne,  the  next  speaker.  "I  think  Will  Rogers  hit  it  right  on  the  head 
when  he  called  attention  to  the  disorder  in  China,,  the  starvation  in  Russia,  the 
near  upset  of  the  German  government;  conditions  in  other  European  governments 
and  the  revolutions  in  South  America,  and  then  called  attention  to  the  fact  that 
we  in  the  United  States  weren’t  so  had  off  after  all." 


oOc- 


THE  MITCHEL  PISLD  DUMBELL  CLUB 


The  Mitchel  Eield  Correspondent,  under  date  of  November  17th,  sent  in  the 
following; 

In  order  that  knowledge  of  such  deeds  of  valor  are  not  lost  to  posterity, 
the  Mitchel  Eield  Plying  Dumbell  Club,  in  executive  session,  has  conferred  upon 
Major  - - Overhaul,  Air  Corps,  the  great  and  questionable  honor  of  inscribing 
his  name  upon  the  Club’s  emblematic  trophy  and  has  .-.elected  him  its  first  life 
member . 


CITATION 

"Bor  exceptionally  meritorious  and  distinguished  conduct  and  extraordinary 
heroism  in  the  Long  Island  sector.  As  commander  and  pilot  of  a strange  0-A2 
Keystone  Amphibian  airplane,  Major  - - Overhaul,  Air  Corps,  operating  between 
two  and  three  thousand  feet  altitude,  planned  and  executed  a series  of  wing' 
overs,  power  dives,  chandelles  and  gliding  turns,  thereby  demonstrating  high 
attainments  in  flying.  At  the  conclusion  of  these  maneuvers  for  the  instruction 
of  the  flying  personnel  of  the  Ninth  Observation  Group,  Major  Overhaul  then 
demonstrated  his  brilliant  command  of  skill  and  judgment  and  with  conspicuous 
intrepidity  above  and  beyond  the  call  of  duty  and  regardless  of  personal  danger, 
brought  his  airplane  to  a perfect  one  point  landing  on  Mitchel  Eield  without 
lowering  or  making  use  of  the  landing  wheels  attached  to  the  airplane  for  this 
purpose.  This  occurring  on  October  22nd,  1930." 

— oOo 


SCOTT  EIELD  OEEICERS  SERVE  TEMPORARY  TOURS  WITH  OTHER  ARMS  OE  SERVICE 

In  compliance  with  a policy  put  into  effect  by  the  Corps  Area  Commander-, 
Major-General  Prank  Parker,  four  officers  of  the.  15th  Observation  Squadron, 

Scott  Eield,  Belleville,  111. , were  on  detached  service  for  10-day  periods  with 
other  arms  of  the  service,  and  seven  officers  from  the  other  branches  were  on 
duty  at  Scott  Eield.  On  October  31st,  2nd  Lieut s.  John  G.  Fowler  and  William 
A.  Schulgen  were  flown  to  Chicago  for  duty  at  Port  Sheridan,  and  on  the  follow- 
ing day  the  planes  returned  with  1st  Lieuts.  Alfred  Vepsala,  3rd  Eield  Artillery; 
John  M.  Bethel,  14th  Cavalry;  2nd  Lieuts.,  Ronald  J.  Pierce,  2nd  Infantry,  and 
Grant  E.  Hill,  61st  Coast  Artillery.  Then  on  November  6th,  2nd  Lieuts.  Frederick 
A.  Bacher  and  Stuart  G.  McLennan  proceeded  to  Jefferson  Barracks,  and  Scott  Eield 
was  made  the  temporary  10-day  home  of  Captain  Sherman  P.  Walker,  1st  Lieut. 

August  E.  Schanze  and  2nd  Lieut.  Wilborn  B.  Griffiths,  all  of  the  6tli  Infantry. 

The  return  of. the  officers  to  Port  Sheridan  was  delayed  three  days  due  to 
inclement  weather,  but  that  did  not  worry  them,  as  all  of  them  ex-pressed  the 
desire  to  have  an  even  longer  detail.  Lieuts.  Vepsala  and  Hill  made  an  official 
request  for  an  extension  of  the  detail  but  this  was  denied,  it  being  stated 
that  there  would  be  a further  chance  for  these  officers  to  have  duty  with  the 
Air  Corps  in  the  coming  Spring. 

These  visiting  officers  were  given  opportunities  to  fly  in  both  heavier- 
than-air  and  lighter- than-air  equipment,  and  attended  many  of  the  classes  being 
conducted  for  the.  Reserve  officers  then  on  ^.4- day  active  duty  tcurs  at  Scott 
Eield.  They  also  gave  lectures  to  the  Reserve  officers  covering  their  own 
branches  of  the  service,  and  these  were  very  instructive  and  helped  everyone  to 
appreciate,  the  point  of  view  of  the  "other  fellow." 

The  officers  from  Scott  Field  reported  their  temporary  duty  tours  as  having 
been  very  instructive,  and  it  is  believed  this  interchange  of  officers  will  be 
of  especial  benefit  ip  any  general  maneuvers  for  the  troops  of  this  Corps  Area. 

— ~o0o 

On  Tuesday,  November  11th  (Armistice  Day)  a formation  of  nine  planes  from 
Mitchel  Eield  flew  over  New  York  City  and  circled  the  "Eternal  Light"  to  honor 
the  war  heroes  from  this  section  of  the  country. 

-360- 


V-6095.A.  C. 


CAQmPILLASLiJLUB.iiiS^ZS  THE  300. -MASK 


/ /”  ’ * i : ( V't^OiV-  ■ 5, 


The  above  sketch  was  Xv\. 

drawn  by  a full  fledged  member  of 
the  Caterpillar  Club  - no  less  a 
person  than  Lieut.  Stafford  L. 

(Casey)  Lambert,  of  the  Air  Corps 
Missouri  National  Guard.  "Casey" 
dropped  into  the  office  the  other 
day  and  told  his  story.  Then  \ 
he  sat  down  at  a desk  and  in  a 'v' 
very  .short  time  sketched  this 
illustration. 

Contrary  to  the  general  trend  of  the  stock  market  these  days,  Caterpillar 
Club,  Common,  is  still  rising,  and  has  suffered  no  relapse  since  it  was  placed 
on  the  big  board.  In  the  issue  of  the  News  Letter  of  August  29th,  Caterpillar 
Club,  Common,  was  quoted  at  271.  Since  that  time  a gain  of  55  point-s  was 
made,  so  that  the  standing  of  tlie  Mythical  Brotherhood  of  Caterpillars  at  the 
present  time  is  326  lives  saved  and  333  jumps:  made,  12  being  repeaters. 

-361-  " V-6095,  A.C.  <*' 


x l 


Hie  historian  of  the  Caterpillar  Club  is  indebted  to  the  Irving  Air  Chute 
Co.  and  the  Russell  Parachute  Co.  for  data  forwarded  on  parachute  jumps  made 
by  civilian  flyers.  The  Club  standing  is  correct  as  far  as  the  records  go, 
but  it  is  quite  possible  that  other  jumps  may  have  been  made  by  civilians  and 
nothing  is  known  of  them  either  because  the  accounts  thereon  failed  to  appear 
in  the  papers  or  the  jumpers  failed  to  apply  for  the  Caterpillar  Club  Pin. 

The  new  additions  to  the  Caterpillar  Club  are  listed  below,  as  follows: 


Pate 

Name 

Rank 

Place  of  Jump 

1928 

August  . 

17 

George  S.K.  MacKinsey 

Civilian 

Bristol,  Pa. 

November 

2 

E.  E.  Parker 

Lieut.  U.S.N. 

San  Diego,  Calif. 

1929 

September  29 

Capt.  Lloyd  Juelson 

Air  Mail  Pilot 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 

1930 

February 

16 

Roy  0.  Hunt 

Civilian 

San  Francisco,  Calif. 

March 

9 

Robert  Page  Deuel 

Civilian 

Dallas,  Texas. 

April 

4 

C.  Eugene  Searle 

Civilian 

Detroit,  Mich. 

April 

7 

Stevens  Bancroft 

Ensign,  U.S.N. 

Pensacola,  Fla. 

April 

12 

Herbert  Condie 

Civilian 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

April 

12 

Stafford  L.  Lambert 

Lt . Natl . Guard 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

April 

22 

Carroll  Ward 

Civilian 

Dallas,  Texas. 

April 

22 

W.D.  Phillips 

Civilian 

Dallas,  Texas. 

May 

2 

C.H.  Pickup 

Civilian 

Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

May 

2 

D.  Allen  Pittman 

Civilian 

Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

May 

8 

J.O.  Dockery 

Civilian 

Pine  Bluff,  Ark. 

May 

9 

A.T.  Frolich 

Civilian 

San  Francisco,  Calif. 

May 

11 

T . T . Chapman 

Civilian 

Green  Bay,  Wis. 

May 

17 

A.H.  Billstrom 

Civilian 

Houston,  Texas. 

May 

30 

Clyde  W.  Wallace 

Civilian 

Tucson,  Arizona. 

June 

9 

LaVere  Tremblay 

Civilian 

Dallas,  Texas. 

June 

29 

Harold  Groves 

Civilian 

Portland,  Oregon. 

June 

29 

Emma  Kingsmore 

Civilian 

Bellingham,  Wash. 

July 

7 

Fred  E.  Andrick 

Civilian 

Albuquerque,  N.M. 

July 

11 

C.B.  Smith 

Civilian 

St.  Paul,  Minn* 

July 

12 

John  Charles on 

Civilian 

Mineola,  N.Y. 

July 

15 

L.D.  Miller 

Civilian 

Omaha,  Neb. 

July 

17 

Ray  J.  Solomon 

Civilian 

Los  Angeles,  Calif. 

July 

17 

Ward  Wells 

Civilian 

Los  Angeles,  Calif. 

August 

3 

C.H.S.  Weaver 

Civilian 

Buttonwoods,  R.I. 

August 

5 

Eric  Wood 

Civilian 

Westbury,  L.I.,,N.Y. 

August 

5 

Leonard  G.  Roof 

Civilian 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 

August 

10 

2.  Ev  Wells  k 

Civilian 

Glenview,  111. 

August 

18 

W.  Edgar  Leedy 

Civilian 

Youngstown,  Ohio. 

August 

26 

W.O.  Gallery 

Lieut.  U.S.N. 

Pensacola,  Fla. 

September 

3 

T.  J.  Marquis 

A.P. , U.S.N. 

September 

5 

Harry  L . Clark 

2d  Lt.  Air  Corps 

Fort  Crockett,  Texas. 

September 

5 

Marvin  May 

Private , " 

Fort  Crockett,  Texas. 

September 

10 

Ted  Wells 

Civilian 

Wichita,  Kansas. 

September 

24 

Marion  G.  McCollough 

Civilian 

Tulsa,  Okla. 

September 

24 

Harold  S.  Christenson 

Civilian 

Tulsa,  Okla. 

September 

28 

Wallace  Franklin 

Civilian 

Yps ilant i , Mi ch. 

October 

1 

James  E.  Parker 

1st  Lt .Air  Corps 

Wright  Field,  Ohio. 

October 

1 

John  M.  Cross 

Lt.  A. C. Reserve 

Kansas  City,  Mo. 

October 

2 

Marion  J.  Simpson 

C.A.P.,  U.S.N. 

Cape  Charles , Va. 

October 

3 

Curtiss  E.  Smith, Jr. 

2d  Lt.A.C.  Res. 

Deatsville,  Ala. 

October 

3 

Laurence  A.  Duncan 

2d  Lt.A.C.  Res. 

Deatsville,  Ala. 

October 

9 

Patrick  W.  Timberlake 

1st  Lt.Air  Corps 

France  Field,  Panama. 

October 

9 

Harry  D.  Hale 

Lieut.  US  Navy 

Pensacola,  Fla. 

October 

10 

W.V.  Davis 

Lieut.  US  Navy 

Pensacola,  Fla. 

October 

21 

Joseph  P.  Adams 

Lieut.  VMCR 

San  Francisco,  Calif. 

October 

27 

F.L.  Baker 

Lieut.  USN 

Ocean, San  Diego , Calif. 

November 

12 

Dick  Merrill 

Air  Mail  Pilot 

Shelby,  N.C. 

November 

17 

John  L.  Magden 

Cadet,  Air  Corps 

Kelly  Field,  Texas. 

November 

27 

Gerald  Nettleton 

Civilian  * 

Pine  Valley  Lodge, Calif. 

It  is  impracticable  to  outline  the  details  connected  with  the  emergency 
parachute  jumps  made  by  the  above-named  personnel,  for  to  do  so  it  would  recruire 

-362-  V-6095,  A. C. 


the  utilization  of  about,  as  much space  jas  ..an .eutirs -iisslte^-of  ythe.-  'ileus  Letter. 

The  initiation  into  the  Caterpillar.  Club  of  Captain  Lloyd  -L.  Juel son  was, 
to  say  the  least,  a most  strenuous  one.  He  was  flight- testing  'an ' airplane  which 
had  previously  cracked  up  and  had  been  repaired.  It  was  not  long  before  he 
found  it  imperative  to  leave  the  shin.  In  struggling  to  get  out  of  the  cockpit, 
the  ripcord  caught  on  the  fitting  which  holds  the  cockpit  cover  in  place  and 
released  the  chute  in  the  cockpit.  This  was  not  noticed  by  Captain  Juelson  un- 
til he  was  standing  With  one  foot  on  the  wing  and  one  foot  in  the  cockpit. 

"I  reached  around  for  my  ripcord  and  was  gust  about  to  jump,"  Captain 
Juelson  stated,  "when  I discovered  1 did  not  have  a ripcord.  Glancing  inside 
the  cockpit  I saw  the- chute  fully  opened.  I then  grabbed  the  chute  in  hand- 
fulls  and  streamed  it- out  behind -and  at  the  last  moment  grabbed  just  an  armful 
of  the  chute  that  was 'left  inside  the  ship  and.  jumped,  releasing  the  armful 
after  I had  cleared  the  ship.  The  shroud  lines  became'  enta.ngled  around  my  leg 
and  when  the  chute  opened  I was  hanging  down  but  landed  safely  without  any 
serious  injury. " 

In  several  of  the' -reports  received  reciting  the  circumstances  connected 
with  emergency  parachute  jumps,  statements  appeared  to  the  effect  that  the 
jumper  had  but  a very  -hazy  recollection  of  pulling  the  ripcord,  which  goes  to 
prove  that  in  an  emergency  of  this  kind,  regarding  which  some  Caterpillars  have 
stated  that  there  was  no  time  to  think,  the  necessary  steps  required  to  be 
taken  to  effect  a successful  initiation  were  performed  more  or  less  mechanically. 

Another  peculiar  fact  worthy  of  mention  is  that  many  of  the  "Silk'  Sailors" 
have  stated  in  their  reports  that,  after  leaving  the  ship,  they  had  no  sensation 
of  falling;  that  when  the  parachute  jerked  them  upright  they  seemed  to  hang  in 
the  air,  becoming  conscious  of  descending  only  when  within  a short  distance  of 
the  ground, 

rOQO 

A SKILLFUL  TAKE- OFT  ADD  LANOTG 

One  of  the' -prettiest  exhibitions  of  flying  seen  on  Mchols  Field,  P.I.,  in 
some  time  wasi  given  recently  by  1st  Lieut . ' T -.D .-  White  , who  took  off  from  the  con- 
crete runway  .in.  front  of  the 'hangars  -with  his  plane  fully  loaded  with  gasoline 
and  cross-country  supplies  for  a projected  flight  to  Mindoro . • When  he  had’ near- 
ly reached  flying. -speed,  his  plane  swervodatid  the  right-  wheel  struck  a pile  of 
sand  on  the  runway,  crumpling  the-  right ' landing  gear  strut.  Lieut.  White  skil- 
fully managed  to  avoid  several  automobiles  which  were  parked  slightly  to  the 
right  of  the  runway  and  got  his  ship -into  the  air  with  no  further  damage.  After 
flying  around  the  airdrome  for  about  twenty  minutes  and  trying  ineffectually  to 
dump  his  gas,  he  finally  came  in  to  as  pretty  a landing  as  was  ever  made  on  one 
wheel,  ground  looping  less  than'-90  degrees  at  the  end  of  his  run. 
a 0O0 

■ .DISTINGUISHED  ELY I EG  CROSS  PRESENTED  TO  LUKE  EX ELD  FLYERS' 

The  Distinguished  Flying  Cross,-  one  of  the  highest  honors  which  can  be  won 
by  members  of  the  Army -Air  Corps,  was  presented  to  each  of  three  Luke  Field 
officers  on  October  30th  by  Major-General  William  Lassiter,  Commanding  the 
Hawaiian  Department,  while  troops  and  planes  of  the  Fifth  Composite  Group  assist- 
ed in  honoring  ^hem.m  -The  officers  decorated  were ' Captain  Ulysses  C-.  Jones,  1st 
Lieut,  -..lai'ter  -T.. ''Meyer • and  2nd  Lieut.  Edwin  W.  Rawlingu,  who  last  May  endeavored 
to  rescue  .three  of  their  comrades  from  the  sea  near  the  Island  of  Maui. 

General  Lassiter  made  a short  talk  to  the  men  who  were  presented  their 
medals  in  the  presence  of  the  entire  personnel  of  the  Fifth  Composite  Group, 

The  Department  Commander  'complimented  them  on  their  bravery  and  presented  cita- 
tions from  the  War  -Department.  The  citations  enumerate  the  events  of  the  tragedy 
ih  which  the  Army  Eomber  fell  8,000  feet  into  the  Pacific,  and  commends  the  men 
for  disregarding  their  own  safety' in  landing  their  amphibians  in  the  stormy  pea 
in  a rescue  attempt. 

General  Lassiter  arrived  at  Luke  Field,  accompanied  by  Lieut .-Colonel  D.Y. 
Deckham,  Department  Adjutant;  Colonel  L. W. '"Oliver , Chief  of  Staff ,!  and  his  aide. 
When  he  presented  the  medal s;  he  was  accompanied  in  the' reviewing  party  also  by 
Major  Carlyle  H.  Wash,  Acting  Department  Air  Officer,  and  Major,  Maxwell  Kirby, 
Commanding  Officer  of  the  Fifth  Composite'  Group. 

The  occasion  marked  the  first  visit 'of  General-  Lassiter  to  Luke  Field  since 
he  arrived  in  Hawaii  to  take  command  of  the  Hawaiian  'Department , 'and"  he  took" 

-363-  7-6095,  A.C. 


advantage -of  the  opportunity  to  insect  troops- an'd  airplanes.  Immediately  fol- 
lowing, the  aerial  review,  Major  Kirby  conducted  him  on  a tour  of  inspection  of 
the  entire  oost. 

— .QOo 

A VERY  VERSATILE  ORGANIZATION 

The  'News  Letter  Correspondent  from  Luke  Field,  Hawaii,  pours  out  a tale  of 
woe,  if  it  can  he  called  such,  on  the  hard  life  which  has  been  the  lot  of  the 
72nd  Bombardment  Squadron.  He  goes  ,bn  to  say,  as  follows: 

"On  the  hangar  line  the  Squadron  is  the  'Orphan  Annie1  of  the  Air  Corps. 
First  we  were  a full  fledged  bombing  outfit  with  some  famous  LB-5  planed.  As 
time  -passed,  taking  with  it  these  same  planes,  we  were  scheduled  to  be  demobil- 
ized,. but  with  the  true  fighting  Seventy- Second  spirit  we  existed  for  a short 
time  on  two  DH  planes.  As  these  fell  by  the  wayside,  we  became  the  only 
Bombardment  squadron  known  to  history  equipped  with  Pursuit  planes.  Thanks  to 
our  neighbors  from  Wheeler  Field,  we  had  four  of  their  best  PW-9*s. 

As  the  tide  turned  and  the  0-19* s came  on,  we  had  four  of  them,  being  a 
Bombardment  Squadron  equip-ped  with  Observation  -planes.  With  the  ebbing  of  the 
tide  we.  lost  our  Observation  planes  and  once  again,  with  many  thanks  to  our 
neighbors  on  the  hill , we  find  ourselves  now  the  only  Bombardment  squadron 
known -to  be  equipped  with  Attack  planes,  having  just  accented  four  of  their 
A~3's. 

We  are  comparable  to  the.  trainers  of  a stable;'  we  get  the  planes  * green,"1 
gently  break  them  in  with  the  greatest  of  kindness,  both  in  the  air  and  on  the 
ground,  and  then  we  turn  them  over  to  the  1 jockies'  of  some  other  outfit  to 
maltreat. 

From  our  varied  experiences  in  the-  air  and  on  the  ground  with  any  and  all 
types  of  planes  and  engines,  our  'grease  monkies 1 have  become  the  best  and  most 
experienced  in  the  Department,  while  our  athletic  prowess  is  rapidly  allowing  us 
to  forge  to  the  front  as  the  'Prides'  of  Luke  Field,  Backing  up  the  above  men- 
tioned heroes  is  the  best  mess  on  the  field,  to  which  the  fortitude,  endurance, 
versatility  and  other  attributes  of  the  Squadron  are  directly  due. 

And  now  we  will  return  to  our  barrack  nestled  amongst  the  palm  and  other 
tropical  trees,  where  the  musical- tinkle  of  the  falling  water  in  the  nearby 
fountain  will  make  the  afternoon  siesta  the  more  enjoyable." 

— — oOo 

RESERVE  SQUADRON  ESTABLISHES  A CLUB  HOUSE 

Reserve  officers  assigned  and  attached  to  the  309th  Observation  Squadron, 

Air  Corps  Reserve,  at  Schoen  Field,.  Fort  Benjamin  HarrisOn,  Indiana,  are  telling 
the  military  flying  world  that  theirs  is  not,  by  any  means,  a "paper"  organiza- 
tion. 

At  a recent  meeting,  the  Officers'  Club  of  the  309th  Squadron  was  organized, 
with  a club  house  at  the  Reserve  flying  field,  the  President  of  the  Club  being 
Major. H.  Weir  Cook,  wartime  "Ace"  and  co- temporary -of  Colonel  "Eddie" 

Rickenbacker . Captain  R.E.  Whitehead,  Flight  Surgeon,  was  elected  Secretary- 
Treasurer.  Captain  Hunter  and  Lieuts.  Jose  and- Nicholson  were  elected  Members 
of  the  Executive.  Committee. 

Members  x>**esent  at  the  organization  of  the  Club  were  Major  Cox,  Captains  . 
Fauvre,  Reagon,  Lieuts.  Friend,  Geharo,  Halstead,  Johnson,  Leith,  Mathews, Noble, 
Pond,  Smith,  Sommer,  William  White, , W .E.  White,  Winnings  and  Wolfe.  The  Squad- 
ron now  has  a complete  roster  of  x>ilots-  and  observers. 

Air  Corps  Reserve  officers,  in  their  cross-country  flights  about  the 
country,  have  too  long  been  the  guests  of  the  Regular  -personnel  stationed  at 
Regular  Army  flying  fields,  say  these  flyers  of  the  309th;  so  they  have  taken 
the  situation  in  hand  and  issued  a general  invitation  for  all  Air  Conos- officers 
to  sto-p  at  Schoen  Field, . so  that  the.  Reserves  themselves  may  act  as  hosts.  The 
comforts  of  a cozy  club  house  are  available,  as  well  as  that  rare  accommodation  - 
good  transportation  to  and  from  Indiana-polis. 

Lieut.  Stanton  A.  Smith  is  the  Regular  Air  Corps  pilot  recently  detailed  at 
Schoen  Field  to  suxoervise  Reserve  flying  activities  there* 

«;  — -o.Oo * •' 

Brooks  Field  will  shortly  receive  22  BT-2B  air-planes  from  the  Douglas  Com- 
pany, Santa  Mopica,  Calif.,  those  planes  to  be  ferried  to  destination  by  pilots 
from  Brooks  and  .March  Fields. 

V-6095,  A.C. 


-364- 


ANOTHER  MEDAL  OE  HONOR  MAN  AMONG  WAR-TIME  .FLYERS 

It  seems  that  a popular  belief  prevailed  in  Air  Corps  circles  and  else- 
where that  the  late  Lieut.  Frank  Luke,  generally  referred  to  as  the  "Arizona 
Balloon  Buster,"  was  the  only  war-time  flyer  to  be  awarded  the  Congressional. 
Medal  of  Honor  posthumously.  A statement  to  that  effect  in  the  last  issue  of' 
the  News  Letter  was  found  to  be  erroneous.. 

The  revival  of  interest  in  the  Congressional  Medal  of  Honor,  brought 
about  through  the  recent  presentation  of  this  much  coveted  decoration  by  the 
President  to  Colonel  Edward  V.  Rickenbacker , foremost  American  war-time  flyer, 
led  one  of  the  members  of  the  Information  Division,  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the 
Air  Corps,  to  scan  through  the  official  publication  "Decorations,  U.S.  Army, 
1862-1926,"  issued  by  the  office  of  The  Adjutant  General. 

It  appears  that  the  ancient  saying  "Seek  and  ye  shall  find,"  needs  no 
vindication,  and  as  a result  of  this  latest  check  on  the  names  of  those 
American  heroes  whose  deeds  of  valor  in  combat  against  an  enemy  won  for  them 
the  highest  recognition  it  is  possible  for  this  country  to  bestow  upon  them  - 
the  Congressional  Medal  of  Honor  - it  was  found  that  another  American  airman 
was  awarded  this  decoration  posthumously  - 1st  Lieut.  Harold  Ernest  Goettler, 
pilot,  50th  Squadron,  Air  Service.  The  Medal  was  given;  to  the  mother  of  the 
deceased  officer  in  1922,  the  citation  accompanying  the  award  reading  as 
follows: 

"Lieut.  Goettler,  with  his  observer,  2nd  Lieut.  Erwin  R.  Bleckley,  130th 
Field  Artillery,  left  the  airdrome  late  in  the  afternoon  on  their  second  trip 
to  drop  supplies  to  a battalion  of  the'  77th  Division,  which  had  been  cut  off 
by  the  enemy  in  the  Argonne  Forest.  Haying  been  subjected  on  the  first  trip 
to  a violent  fire  from  the  enemy,. 'they  attempted  on  the  second  trip  to  come 
still  lower  in  order  to  get  the  packages  even- more  precisely  on  the  designated 
spot.  In  the  course  of  this  mission  the  plane  was  brought  down  by  enemy  rifle  - 
and  machine-gun  fire  from  the  ground,  resulting  in  'the-  instant  death  of  Lieut. 
Goettler.  In  attempting  and  performing  this  mission  Lieutenant  Goettler  showed 
the  highest  possible  contempt  of  personal ' danger,  devotion' to  duty,  courage 
and  valor."  X 

The  flight  mentioned  in 'the  citation  took  place  near  Binarviile,  France,  q 
October  6,  1918. 

Lieut.  Bleckley  was  also- killed  in  the  crash  of  the  airplane,  and  the 
Medal  of  Honor  was  posthumously  awarded  in  his  case,  being  presented  to  his 
father,  Mr.  E.E.  Bleckley,  - 

As  the  reader  may  have  surmised,  the  battalion  Of  the  77th  Division  re- 
ferred to  in  the  citation  was  the  famous  "Lost  Battalion,"  commanded  by  the 
late  Lieut .-Colonel  Whittlesey.  Incidentally,  the  "Lost  Battalion"  was 
found  by  Lieut.  Robert  M.  Anderson,  Air  Service,  a member  of  the  50th  Aero 
Squadron. 

— — oOo 

RADIOING  IN  THE  AIR  CORPS  • 

An  unusual  radio  contact  mission  was  carried  out  on  November  18th  by  two 
members  of  Maxwell  Field,  Montgomery,  Ala.,  flying  in  an  Observation  plane,  in 
coordination  with  Radio  Station  WFSA,  of.  Montgomery,  Ala.  A two-way  telephone 
conversation  was  carried  on  from  ship  to  ground  and  ground  to  ship,  both  con- 
versations being  re-broadcast  over  WFSA  on  their  assigned  frequency  of  1410 
Kilocycles.  Using  the  standard  transmitter  of  50  watt  power,  the  contact  Was 
begun  on  500  kilocycles  and  advanced  by  50  kilo  stages  until  800  was  reached, 
and  it  was  found  that  this  was  the  most  efficient. 

The  airmen  in  the  plane  broadcasted  for  the  five-minute  intervals  and  the 
ground  the  two-minute.  The  complete  conversation  was  carried  on  successfully 
without  a second's  interruption  or  failure.  This  airplane  broadcast  was  heard, 
as  established  from  telegrams,  from  Terre  Haute,  Indiana  to  Orlando,  Florida. 
The  time  of  the  broadcasting  was  from  3:00  to  4:20  p.m. . 

Such  a mission  demonstrates  the  efficacy  of  the  coordination  for  use  in 
time  of  fires,  mobilization,  etc.  , giving  the  observer  from  a plane  a method  of 
instantly  giving  his  observations  to  personnel  hundreds  of  miles  away.  The 
mission  was  under  the  supervision  of  the  Public  Relations  Department. 

The  ever  increasing  importance  of  radio  communication  in  the  95th  Pursuit 
“ ' • -365-  V-6095,  A.C? 


Squadron  was  demonstrated  in  a flight  made  recently  by  Lieut.  S.K.  Robinson. 
Talcing  off  from  Rockwell  Field,  Lieut.  Robinson  reeled  out  his  antenna  and 
headed  in  the  general  direction  of  March  Field.  Two-way  Communication  between 
the  ground  station  and  the  P-12B  was  maintained  without  interruption  during 
the  entire  flight.  When  the  plane  was  directly  over  March  Field,  the  signals 
began  to  fade  and,  due  to  lack  of  gasoline  and  the  heavy  traffic  of  March 
Field,  Lieut.  Robinson  was  unable  tb  continue  with  his  mission. 

The  distance  over  which  communication  was  maintained,  however,  approxi- 
mately 85  miles,  is  a local  record  for  Pursuit  radio  work,  and  all  Rockwell 
Field  personnel  are  enthusiastically  looking  forward  to  the  breaking  of  this 
mark  with  improvements  now  in  the  process  of  development. 

oOo— 

BOMBING  - AID  'HOW! 

"Rockwell  Field  has  a mighty  fine  bombing  team,"  says  the  News  Letter 
Correspondent,  "and  we  want  the  Air  Corps  to  know  how  -proud  we  are  to  claim 
these  two  officers  as  our  own. 

The  11th  Bombardment  Squadron  had  started  its  record  bombing  when  Lieut. 

H.W.  Bowman;'  pilot,  and  Lieut.  R.K.  Urban,  bomber,  were  sent  aloft  to  drop 
their  bombs  for  record  score.  And  what  a score  they  made!  Lieut.  Urban  dropped 
a bomb  for  his  sighting  shot.-  it  landed  in  the  middle  of  the  circle  - bullseye. 
In  five  more  approaches  at  the  target  the  five  record  bombs  were  dropped  with 
every  one  landing  in  the  center  of  the  target  - score  500.  Two  bombs,  spares, 
remained,  so  with  two  additional  approaches  two  more  bullseyes  were  scored. 
Officially  credited  with  a perfect  score  of  500,  Lieut.  Urban  set  a super  record 
when  all  eight  bombs  suspended  in  the  racks  of  the  ^Condor6  found  their  mark 
with  unerring  accuracy." 

oOo 

CONSTRUCTION  OF  BUILDINGS  FOR  TACTICAL  SCHOOL 

" Work  on  the  construction  of  the  various  buildings  for  the  Air  Corps 
Tactical  School  which  will  make  its  home  at  Maxwell  Field,  Montgomery,  Ala.,  is 
going  steadily  forward,  the  steel  work  having  almost .reached  completion  on  the 
School  Building  proper  and  excavation  being  under  way  on  another  new  barracks 
building  of  the  type  already  on  the  field.  Clearing  has  begun  on  the  additional 
landing  field  area  and,  as  an  abundance  of  labor  is  available,  it  will  go 
through  to  speedy  completion.  Bids  are  being  submitted  at  present  on  a grouio  of 
double  quarters  for  married  noncommissioned  officers. 

oOo- — • 

EASIER  TO  GET  IN  THAN  TO  GET  OUT 

On  his  way  back  from  Langley  Field,  Va. , the  fog  rolled  in  on  Lieut.  Lindsay 
Bawsell,  Mitchel  Field  pilot.  He  had  the  choice  of  landing  in  the  water  or  a 
two  by  four  field  directly  beneath  him.  He  chose  the  field,  made  a perfect  land- 
ing and  sat  down  to  wait  for  the  fog  to  lift.  While  waiting  for  the  weather  to 
clear  up  and  come  to  his  rescue,  he  decided  to  inspect  his  newly  acquired  air- 
drome. Imagine  his  embarrassment  when  he  found  it  to  be. but  half  as  large  as 
it  should  be  were  he  to  make  an  endeavor  to  get  out  of  it.  At  the  time  the 
Mitchel  Field  Correspondent  submitted  this  piece  of  news  he  stated  that  Lieut. 
Bawsell  was  sitting  in  a little  truck  garden  outside  of  Eeyport,  New  Jersey, 
waiting  patiently  for  the  emergency  truck  from  Mitchel  Field  to  arrive,  take 
his  ship  apart  and  give  him  a ride  back  home. 

oOo 

RETIREMENT  OF  FIRST  SERGEANT  DEE  0.  MOORE 

In  Special  Orders  No.  25,  Brooks  Field,  Texas,  dated  October  31,  1930,  the 
retirement  of  First  Sergeant  Dee  0.  Moore,  of  the  52nd  School  Squadron,  was 
noted,  with  the  following  commendatory  remarks:  "First  Sergeant  Moore  re-presents 
the  highest  type  of  soldier.  His  untiring  energy  and  zeal  in  the  performance  of 
his  many  and  varied  duties  have  been  marked.  It  is  with  the  greatest  regret 
that  this  command  bids  First  Sergeant  Moore  farewell,  and  he  takes  with  him  the 
wish  that  he  shall  see  many  years  of  prosperity  and  happiness. " 

-366- 


V-6095,  A. C. 


LIMIT,  BRIGGS  RECEIVES  UNEXPECTED  SURE  BATH  , 

According  to  the  Rockwelk  -Field  .Carr.esporLden.ti;,' ; Lient:*-^Jarrd's  , 

debonair  Operations  Officer  of  the  05th  Pursuit  Squadron,  is  in  a position  to 
-hold  his  o'Mtwith  any  ground  flying  aco  Tuiom-.he-  hay  encouhter-i'.  It:  happened 
-tSmsly h.:;  . A A,  • ' : .;v: 

Lieut.  Briggs  was  towing  target  for  Lieut.  J.J,  Mul'-vey : about  .il&unTles  out 
over"  -the'-Pacif  ie'  'Oc-eaiiV  Lieut  * Mulvey  finished  ■•M  s -praGtice  /.  • si-^id'lLed  Lieut . 
Bri;g0d'  "t:liat\  Ms ' firing'  was-  completed,  and  headed  for  •home’ y-  where  the-  landed. 

Ten  hiinutes  passed  - fifteen  - and  still  no  Briggs.  Rumor  rife , ho-  finally- 
thr^e  ships'  of  -nA,f' ’il-agfeb 'took  off  on  a search.5  'Mil'  "■  Lietif'.v-:Biihdy  discovered 
-tr'-gfease  4pot  -on  the'  surface  of  the  broad  Pacific  "with  a'-  fishing  boat  nearby. 
Plying  close  to  the  boat,  Lieut . Bundy  discovered  that-  Lieut  -Briggs  was  on 
board, ; smoking  an/fl  ;Ropo-  in  the  absence  of  a Murad,  y'  ' 

- r The-' facts  were  discovered  to  be:  A motor  that  quit  cold  ~ impossible  to  - 
reach  shore  set  the  ■ ship  clown  to  a normal  landing  on  the  water  - due  to  the 
safety  " belt "'b'eirig  unfastened,  one  pilot  was  thrown  in  an  ungraceful  dive  about 
fifty  feet  from  the  ship.  Thanks  to  one  fully  inflated  G.I.  life  preserver; 
Complete-  with  handle,  the -only  injury  experienced  by  the  pilot  was  a good 
ducking The  ship,  P-12B  23-435,  sank  in  105  feet  of  water  but  was  recovered  y 
later  in  the  day  by  a Navy  mine  sweeper.  ;; 

~ — oOo ' '; 

MOUNTAINS  PROVE  A BARRIER  TO  AIRSHIP  . 

Starting  a long  trip  on  the  13th  of  the  month  -proved  somewhat  unlucky  ‘for  ’ 
Captain  Karl  S.  Axtater  and  his  crew  from.  Langley  Field.  The  Captain  with 
Lieut s.  Williams 'and  Shively  and  a crew  of  three  enlisted  men  flew  the  airship 
TC- 6-241  to  Scott  Held,  111.,  and  departed  on  November  13th  with  the  TC-10-252, 
.which  was  being  transferred  to  Langley  Field.  /'Everything  went  along  fine  on  the 
‘homeward  trip  until  .£he • motlntaxns  were  reached.  A'  st0p’"w^s' made  at  Dayton. for 
gasoline,  and  then  with  a- tail  wind --the  last  leg.  of  the-  flight  was  started.'  ’ 

-•  On  arriving  near 'the  mount aiiis’  iiear  Parker sburg,  'West  Virginia,  it  became'  ' 
necessary  to  gain  mote  .Altitude  , but  when  an  attempt  was  made  to  valve  some" 
gas,  in  order  that  the -pressure  on  the  airship  bag  would  be  lowered,  it  was  ' 
discovered  that  the  cable  'leading'' to  the  valve  was  broken  and  that  no  gas 
could  be  released.  All  •attempts  'to  climb  above  2,000  feet  proved  futile,  and,  ... 
as  this  was  only  half  "''the  'Altitude  needed  to  clear  the  mountains , there  was' 
nothing  left  to  do  but/:tC  turnaround  and  come  back.  The  arrival  of  the  air- ;y' 
ship  over  Scott  Field  ■bb'&bouf  "4s  10  a.m.  on  the  14th  was  a big  surprise  to  .the ': 
garrison.  Due  to  the  Ifghtiiess-  of  the  ship,  it  was  necessary  to  turn  out 
both  the  9th  Airship  Cbiii-iahy  and. the  24th  Service  Company  to  handle  the  lahd-: 
ing  yyy  ■;  ' ^ . . , 

Inclement  weather '--delayed  the  -departure  of  the  airship , after  the  neces-'1 -y1 
sary  repairs  had  been  made  , until  the  morning  of  the  17th.  ■ ' : '••• 

— oOo — r« 

LISUT . THORNTON  IS  VICTIM!  OE  PAINMJL  ACCIDENT 

" Lieut.  R.M.  Thornton',  of  the  11th  Bombardment  Squadron,  Rockwell  Eield,  had 
a very  unfortunate  accident  during  the  recent  maneuvers  at  Burbank,  Calif. 

He  was  riding  in  the  nacelle  of  one  o:~  the  11  Condor"  Bombers  enjoying  the 
scenery  and  the  intense  aerial  activity.  The  mission  completed,  truce  was  -de- 
clared, and  the  Bombers  settled  to  terra  firma  at  the  United  Airport,  After 
landing,.  Lieut.  Thorn  toil 'climbed  up  on  the  nacelle  and  jumped  to  the  ground, 
unaware' of  the  fact  that'  the  ring  on  his  left  hand  had  become  fastened  .in  the"..' 
scarf  ring  of  the  nacelle..  The  resultant  jerk  of  the  jump  played  havoc  witlL-- 
the  *th*ird  finger  of  nis  /left  hand.  First  aid  was  administered,  and  Lieut.  ..  . . iV. 
Thornton  was  rushed  to  .the '.Rpckwoll  Field  hospital 'in  one  of  the  "Cohdafs"; 
piloted  by  Lieut."  F.M.  'Urismo'n, .'.  / . V". . 

Amputation  was  necessary,  but  recovery  was.  .'rapid  and"we  are  very  happy 
.;to,.  report ," says  the  News'  Letter.  Correspondent-,-  "bthat  Lieut.  Eiornton' is  Lack 
'oh  the  job  with  all  of -Ms  usual  pep  and  enthusiasm."  . 

oOo — — 

Construction  on  two  contracts  for  noncommissioned  officers'  quarters  at 
Langley  Eield,  Va. , which  were  let  so  far,  the  first  for  34  sets  and  the  second 
for  26  sets,  is  about  70  and  20  -oercont,  respectively,  comoleted. 

- 367  - V-6095,A.C. 


NOTES  FROM  AIR  CORPS  FIELDS 
0O0 

Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif.,  Nov.  5th:' 

Brigadier-General  R.E,  Mittelstaeat , Adjutant  General  of  the  State  of  Cali- 
fornia, accompanied  by  his  Aide,  Lieut. -Col.  F.J.  Sherbun,  paid  an  official  vis- 
it to  Rockwell  Field,  Oct.  8th. 

Lieut . -Colonel  F.M.  Andrews,  Office,  Chief  of  the  Air  Corns,  arrived  at 
Rockwell  Field,  Oct.  10th  in  a Northrup  Alpha  plane  from  the  Northrup  Aircraft 
Corp.,  Burbank,  Calif. 

Six  officers , recent  graduates  of  the  Advanced  Flying  School,  were  assigned 
to  Rockwell  Field  for  duty,  viz.,  Lieuts.  J.N.  Stone,  R.H.  Brandt,  F.H.  Davidson, 
K.  Watkins,  D.J.  Keirn  and  E.S.  Wetzel. 

A four-ship  flight  of  P-12’s  proceeded  to  Crissy  Field  on  Oct.  20th  for 
the  purpose  of  flying  at  the  funeral  of  the  late  William  W.  Caldwell,  who  was 
killed  Oct.  15th  while  engaged  in  carrying  out  a diplomatic  mission. 

Lieut.  A.F,  Solter  was  in  command  of  the  flight,  which  included  Lieuts. 

J.H.  Bundy,  E.'W.  Anderson  and  G.E.  Price. 

On  Oct.  21st  Major  B.E.  Yount,  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Rockwell  Air  De- 
pot and  1st  Lieut.  B.M.  Giles,  Chief  Engineer  Officer  of  the  Denot,  departed 
via  air  for  the  purpose  of  conferring  with  the  Commanding  Officers  of  Regular 
Army  and  National  Guard  stations  at  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah;  Spokane,  Seattle  and 
Vancouver,  Washington;  and  San  Francisco,  Calif.,  regarding  questions  in  the 
maintenance  of  equipment  and  supnlies  for  discussion  at  the  Engineering-Supply 
Conference  to  be  held  December  1st  at  the  Materiel  Division.  These  officers 
returned  to  Rockwell  Field  on  Oct.  30th. 

Major  Carl  Spatz,  Commanding  Officer  of  the  7th  Bombardment  Group,  and  1st 
^ieut.  E,C.  Batten,  left  Rockwell  Field  Oct.  30th  for  Wright  Field,  Dayton, 

Ohio,  to  serve  on  a board  convened  Nov.  3d,  for  the  purpose  of  testing  and 
making  recommendations  on  Pursuit  airplanes. 

A hard-time  dance  was  held  at  the  Officers’  Club  on  October  31st.  The  Club 
was  decorated  with  baled  hay,  corn  stalks,  pumpkins  and  Hallowe’en  novelties  in 
keeping  with  the  occasion.  A five-piece  orchestra  kept  everyone  moving  during 
the  evening.  Old  clothes  were  the  order  of  the  evening.  Several  novel  stunts 
were  exhibited  along  with  a lot  of  ingenuous  torture  devices  installed  by  the 
committee.  Pies,  cider  and  apples  comprised  the  re freshments. 

Rockwell  Field  is  receiving  an  increase  of  82  men  in  its  enlisted  personnel, 
These  men  will  be  assigned  to  the  76th  Service  Squadron,  now  in  the  process  of 
organization,  under  the  command  of  1st  Lieut.  E.C.  Batten.  Of  the  82  men  as- 
signed, 18  men  are  from  Selfridge  Field  and  64  from  Maxwell  Field. 

Rockwell  Air  Depot;  A total  of  twenty  airplanes  and  sixty  of  the  various 
type  engines  were  completely  overhauled  during  the  month  of  October. 

5,491-g-  man  hours  were  expended  in  the  Engineering  Shops  of  the  Rockwell 
Air  Depot  for  the  manufacture  and  repair  of  Air  Corps  equipment  other  than  air- 
planes and  engines. 

An  additional  test  block  just  completed  was  built  especially  to  take  care 
of  the  R-790  engines.  The  engineering  staff  of  the  Air  Depot  report  that  this 
will  greatly  facilitate  the  work  with  this  type  engine. 

During  the  month  442,933  pcunds  of  freight  and  express  were  received  in 
the  Depot  Supply,  and  33,526  pounds  V3 re  shipped.  Shipments  received  totaled 
307  and  the  total  number  shipped  was  281. 

Rockwell  Field.  Coronado.  Calif..  Nov.  16th; 

Some  aerial  pictures  were  made  of  a flight  of  P-13's  the  first  part  of  the 
month.  Besides  the  routine  formation,  all  of  the  different  variations  of  the 
Ninety-Fifth’s  drill  was  flown. 

The  pilots  participating  in  the  flight  were  Lieuts,  I. A.  Woodring,  S.R. 
Brentnall,  E.F.  Kiessig,  D.D.  Graves,  G.E.  price  and  A.F.  Solter. 

Four  F-12’ s were  ferried  to  Mather  Field  on  November  10th.  These  four 
ships  were  the  first  to  leave  Rockwell  Field  for  the  northern  post,  and  it  is 
anticipated  that  several  more  will  follow  in  the  near  future. 

Lieuts.  C.E.  Duncan,  V.W.  Vaughan,  A.S.  Merrifield  and  E.F.  Kiessig  piloted 
the  ships  to  their  new  station. 

V-6095.A.C. 


- 368  - 


Several  P-12C’s  and. 0-38' s landed  at  Rockwell  Field  for  mechanical  check  up 
preparatory  to  being  ferried  to  Langley  Field  and  numerous  National  Guard  sta- 
tions. 

. . Maj Carl  Spat z,  Commanding  the  7th  Bombardment  Group,  and  1st  Lieut.  E.C. 

Batten,  A.C.:,  returned  to  Rockwell  Field  on  Nov.  15th  at  the  conclusion  of  the 
Engineering  Conference  held  at  Wright  Field  for  the  -purpose  of  making  recommen- 
dations on  future  types  of  Pursuit  and  Bornhardment  airplanes. 

Capt.  J.L.  Grisham,  reported  to  this  station  for  duty  and  was  assigned  to 
the  7th  Bombardment  Group  as  Operations  Officer. 

We  welcome  Capt.  Grisham  and  hope  that  shortly  he  will  be  one  of  the  main- 
stays in  our  Post  Activities. 

San  Antonio  Air  De-pot,  Duncan  Field.  Texas,  Nov.  12th; 

Brig. -General  Edwin  D.  Bricker,  Assistant  to  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  while 
on  his  recent  tour  of  inspection  of  Ordnance  Department  activities  in  this  vi- 
cinity, favored  this  Depot  with  a brief  informal  visit  on  Nov.  7th,  viewing  our 
En  gi ne  er i ng  Shop  s . 

Maj.  A.L.  Sneed, -Commanding  Officer  of  the  Fairfield, Ohio,  Air  Depot,  re- 
turning from  Rockwell  Field,  Calif.,  in  a BT-2B  plane,  stopped  over  at  this 
Depot  Nov.  6th  for  a brief  visit  in  this  vicinity. 

Capt.  Edward  Laughlin  of  the  Fairfield  Air  Depot,  dropped  in  for  a visit  on 
Nov.  7th,  ferrying  a P-1C  plane  for  the  Conmanding  General  of  the  Air  Corps 
Training  Center.  Capt.  Laughlin’ s visit  was  welcome  to  his  many  old  friends  in 
this  vicinity,  as  he  was  on  duty  at  this  Depot  as  Chief  Engineer  Officer  some 
years  ago. 

Capt.  John  M.  Clark,  was  an  informal  visitor  at  the  Depot  for  a few  days, 
motoring  through  from  the  Fairfield  Air  Depot  on  his  transfer  to  Mather  Field, 
Calif.  Capt.  Clark  who  was  formerly  on  duty  at  this  Depot  and  at.  Kelly  Field, 
was  greeted  by  his  host  of  friends  at  the  various  fields  here  and  in  San  Antonio, 
who  took  the  occasion  to  wish  him  success  at  his  new  station.  - 

Lieut.  Donald  F.  Stace  of  the  Air  Corps  Materiel  Division  at  Wright  Field, 
Ohio,  paid  an  informal  visit  to,  the  Depot  on  Nov.  3d  while  passing  through  this 
section  of  the  country. 

Capt.  Walter  H.  Reid,  Air  Corns.  Instructor  with  the  36th.  Division.  Aviation, 
Texas  National  Guard,  Houston,  visited  this  Depot  on  Nov.  4th,  ferrying  in  an 
0-2H  of  that  organization  for  inspection  and,  repair. 

Lieut.  Charles  E.  Thomas , Jr. , of  this  Depot,  made  a rail  trip  to  Richards 
Field,  Kansas  City,.  Mo.,  ferrying  back  an  0-11  plane,  to  the  Depot. 

Quite  an  extensive  cross-country  flight  is  scheduled  for  t wo  of  the  officers 
of  this  Depot,  Lieuts.  Ames  S.  Albro  and  Edward  V.  Harbeck.Jr, , left  here  by 
rail  for  the  Boeing  Airplane  Company’ s plant  at  Seattle,  Wash.  From  there  they 
will  ferry  two  P-12C.  airplanes,  by  way  of  Rockwell  Field,  Calif.,  Tucson,  Ariz. , 
and  El  Paso,  Texas,  to  Langley  Field,  Va.,  and  from  there  will  bring  back  two 
P-1  ’ s fotr  delivery  to  Kelly  Field. 

Capt.  H.H.  George  and  Lieut.  L.E,  Hunting  of  France  Field,  Canal  Zone, 
were  visitors  at  this  Depot  on  Nov.  8th.  Capt.  George  was  in  command  of  a 
.flight  of  four  0-2H  planes,  ferried  from  panama  to  Kelly  Field.  These  places 
were  turned  over  to  this  Depot  on  Nov,  10th. 

The  new  club  house  of  the  Air  Corps  Golf  Association,  Duncan  Field,  com- 
prising membership . among  the  officers  of  the  Headquarters  of  the  Air  Corps 
Training  Center,  this  Depot,  Kelly  Field  and  Brooks  Field, - was  opened  on  Sun- 
day morning,  Nov;  ;9th,  with  a breakfast , given  by  Lieut.  and:Mrs.  Lawrence  B.  « 
Savage  of  Kelly  Field.  About  eighty  guests  enjoyed  the  occasion. 

Capt.  Fred  E.  Hayes,  Air  Corps  Reserve,  is  on  a fourteen  days’  tour  of 
active  duty  at  this  Depot,  beginning  Nov.  1st.  Capt.  Hayes  is  with  the  Civil 
Service  in  the  Office  of  the  Quartermaster,  Eighth  Corps  Area,  and  was  one  of 
this  Depot’s  personnel  in  its  early  days  immediately  after  the  War. 

A group  of  some  twenty  students  of  the  Brackenridge  High  School  of  San 
Antonio  visited  the  Depot  on  Nov.  3d  for  the  purpose  of  making  a tour  through 
our  Engineering  Shops. 

Maxwell  Field.  Ala..  Nov,  20th: 

The  Squadron  Basketball  team  just  completed  its  organization  with  ten  men 
out  for  the  regular  cage  lineup.  As  with  the  Baseball  team,  our  outfit  is  to 

- 369  - V-6095,A. C. 


"be  listed  among  the  contestants  in  the  Montgomery  -'City  Basket  hall  League,  and, 
with  this  competition  to  stimulate  interest', ,*•  the  indoar  game  will  he  the  prin- 
cipal athletic  activity  during  the  winter  months* 

Capt.  Ira  C.  Eaker  was  a visitor  at  the  Field  during  the  week  of  November 
10th,  arriving  in  the  new  transport  "Northrop  Alpha",  6 passenger,  low  wing 
monoplane . 

Adverse  weather  conditions  forced  five  Langley  Field  officers  to  he  our 
guests  for  several  days,  they  having  arrived,  from  the  Boeing  factory  in  Seattle, 
Wash.,  with  five  of  the  new  P-lSC’s. 

. A definite  polo  Club  organization  has  taken  shape  at  the  Field  and  an  ex- 
hibition game  was  scheduled  to  be  played  Nov.  23d,  between  the  Maxwell  Field 
Club  and  a civilian  team.  With  a string  of  17  mounts  in  the  stables,  there  is 
an  opportunity  for  development  of  a very  good  polo  outfit.  The  game  is  an  in- 
novation'to  this  locality  and  seems  to  have  excellent  drawing  power. 

40th  Division  Aviation,  Calif.  National  Guard,  Los  Angeles, Calif ., Nov. 15th; 

This  Squadron  has  settled  back  into  the  yearly  training  schedule  after  the 
annual  field  training  period  in  August.  Drill  periods-  are  more  interesting 
than  in  the  past,  and  the  personnel  is  busily  engaged  -in  carrying  on  toward 
greater  efficiency,  which  will  be  necessary  for*  & smooth  cooperation  with  twice 
as  many  troops  at  next  summer's  camp.  Special  emphasis  is  being  given  to  at- 
taining' a high  degree  of  proficiency  in  Communications-,  the-  need  for  which  ap- 
peared at  the  1930  camp. 

This  unit  welcomes  its  newest  officer,  Lieut.  Wendell  Hv  Sanford,  from 
the  160th  Infantry,  40th  Division,  Calif.  National  Guard.  We  also  have  back 
with  us  a former  officer,  1st  Lieut. . Harry'  ,C.-  Claiborne  , from  Captain,  National 
Guard  Reserve. 

Our  flying  equipment  , .which-  was- pretty  well  strained*  through  continuous 
use  at  camp,  has  now  been  returned, to  us: after  overhaul  at  Rockwell  Field,  with 
the  exception. .of  :.our  two  faithful  PT-l;sj  which ‘have  gone  the  way  of  all  obso- 
lete equipment..  ' 

Sunday,  November  2d,  was  given  over  to  the  Commanding  Officer's  Inspection, 
which  appeared  to  be  thorough  and  detailed.  Already,  Several  new  recommenda- 
tions and  or  ders  have,  resulted.  . . . 

Fairfield  Air  Denot,  Fairfield,  Ohio.  Nov.  14th; 

Maj . A.L.  Sneed,  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Depot,  departed  on  Oct.  27th 
for  Santa  Monica,  Calif.,  for  the  purpose  of  ferrying  a BT-2B  airplane  to  Wright 
Field,  and  for  coordination  of  Materiel  Division  Activities  in  the  southern 
states.  He  visited  Kelly  Field,  Texas;  Little  Rock,  Ark.;  Birmingham,  Ala.; 
Montgomery,  Ala.;  Atlanta,  Ga.;  and  Fort  Bragg,  N.C.,  and  returned  to  the  Depot 
on’November  13th. 

• ' Capt.  Edward  Laughlin,  Engineering  Officer,  departed  on  Nov.  5th,  ferrying 
a P-1C  airplane,  which  had  been  overhauled  at  this  station,  to  Kelly  Field,  re- 
turning Nov.  11th. 

Lieut.  Frederick  M.  Hopkins, Jr.,  Post  Adjutant,  and  Major  Malcolm  C.  Grow, 
Flight  Surgeon,  departed  on  Nov.  1st  on  a cross-country  mission  to  Pittsburgh, 
Pa.,  Wilmington,  Del.,  and  Mitchel  Field,  N.Y. , returning  on  the  6th. 

Lieut.  George  V.  McPike,  Depot  Supply  Officer,  made  a cross-country  trip 
to  Selfridge  Field  on  Nov.  8th. 

Lieut.  Melvin  B.  Asp  and  Mr.  Plymyer,  of  this  Depot  made  a cross-country 
flight  to  Bowman  Field  on  Nov.  3d  for  the  purpose  of  transporting  an  engine. 

Lieut.  John  A.  Austin,  Station  Supply  Officer,  made  a cross-country  trip 
to  Chanute  Field  on  Nov.  1st,  returning  on  the  2d. 

A Post  'Book  Club,  for  the  benefit  of  the  officers  and  their  families,  was 
established  at  the  Depot.  A similar  Club  was-  established  last  year  and  proved 
to  be  quite  a success. 

The  hunting  season  at  the  Fairfield  Air  Depot  Reservation,  -virtually  open- 
ing on  Nov.  15th,  was  awaited  by  the  hunters  of  Wright  Field  and  Fairfield. 
Major-General  James  E.  Fechet,  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  is  an  expected  guest 
of  the  field  during  the  opening  period  of  the  season. 

Many  visitors  were  at  the  Fairfield  Air  Depot  during  the  past  two  weeks. 


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V-6095.A. C. 


Capt.  Axtater,  pilot,  landed  in  an  airship,  en  route  from  Langley  Field  to. 
Scott  Field,  on  Nov.  8th  and  returned  with  five  passenger's  on  the  13th. 

Lieut.  Goldsmith,  Bowman  Field,  arrived  on  Nov.  11th  for  a major  overhaul 
on  PT-1  plane. 

Lieut.  Scott  and  Pvt.  Singer,  Chanute  Field, stepped  en  route  to  Chanute 
from  Cleveland  on  a cross-country  mission  oii  the  11th  of  November. 

Capt.  Galloway,  Bowman  Field,  and  Lieut.  Mace,  Roberts  Field,  flev?  to  this 
Depot  on  Nov.  8-th  for  major  overhauls  on  their  planes. 

Capt.  Coolo  and  .Lieut.  Melvin,  Schoen  Field;  Capt.  Galloway  and  Lieut.  Doug- 
las, Bowman  Field;  Lieuts.  Hears, and  Brunner,.  I.unken  Airport.,  stopped  en  route 
Nov.  8th  on  cross-country  missions, 

Sgt.  Nendell  and  Lieut.  Baxter,  Chanute  Field,  flew  to  this  station  on 
Nov.  7th. 

Lieut.  Anderson,  Chanute  Field,  landed  at  the  Depot,  Nov.  7th.  pn  a cross- 
country mission. 

Lieut.  McGuire,  S.elfridge  Field,  flew  a P-1C  airplane  to  this  Depot  on  Nov. 
6th  for  a major  overhaul. 

Capt.  Cook,  Schoen.  Field;  Lieuts.  Sirmyer,  Dunbar,  Sailor,  Wilgus,  Scott 
Field;  Lieut.  Reid,  Self  ridge  Field;  Lieuts..  Genaro,  Roll,  White  and  peck,  Schoen 
Field;  Lieuts.  Burgess  and  Schoenlein,  Chanute  Field  were  visitors  on  cross-coun- 
try missions  on  the  6th  of  November.  ... 

Lieut.  Morrison  and  Sgt.  Robinson,  Detroit , Mich. , made  a cross-country 
flight  to  this  station  on  Nov.  5th. 

Lieuts.  Carter,  Butler,  Gann  and  Wagner  arrived  on  Nov.  4th  from  Marshall 
Field  and  departed  on  Nov.. 5th  in  0-25A  airplanes  which  had  been  given  major 
overhauls  at  this  station. 

Lieuts.  Robinson,  Mallory  and  Johnson  departed  this  station  on  Nov.  5th  to 
ferry  two  0-11’ s and  one  0-19  airplane  to  Nelly  Field,  Texas. 

Lieuts.  Messmore,Klese,  peck,  Roll  and  Paul .arrived  Nov.  3d  from  Maxwell 
Field  for.  planes  which  had  been  given  major  overhauls  at. this  station. 

Lieut.  Selzer  made  a cross-country  trip  from  Scott  cn  Nov.  3d. 

Capt.  Duncan,  pilot,  General  Parker,  passenger  from  Chicago,  111, ; Lieut., 
McCune,  Bolling  Field;  Lieut.  Burrows, Rockwell  Field;  and ;Lieut.  Reid,  Selfridge 
Field,  stopped  Nov.  2d  en  route  on  cross-country  missions.' 

Lieut.  McConnell,  Commanding  Officer,  Norton  Field,  made  a cross-country 
flight  to  this  Depot,  on  Nov.  1st.  . 

Nichols  Field.  , P.  I . . Oct.  3.0th; ' 

28 th  Bombar dment  S q , : . Capt.  Edward  C.  Black,  Squadron  Commander,  is  at 
present  hiding  out  in  Siam  with  the  United  States  Navy.  Lieut.  R.C.  Zettel  is 
handling  the  reins  during  his  absence. 

The  administrative  forces. of  the  28th  are  deep  in  the  midst  of  preparations 
for  the  Squadron’s  second. annual  vacation  excursion,  a fifteen-day  trip  to  Camp 
John  Hay,  Baguis.  All  indications  point  to. a more  successful  time  than  last 
year's  remarkable  trip.  ‘ , 

1st  Lieut. ( George  A.  Whatley  was  .assigned  to  the  Squadron  and  took  over  the 
Engineering  Department , relieving  Lieut.  E,M.  Morris,. 

4th  Composite  Group  Headquarters;  . Capt.  Joseph  H'.  Davidson  who  arrived  on 
the  October  transport,  assumed  command. of  the  Detachment, . relieving  Lieut . Fran- 
cis B.  Valentine  who  was  assigned  to  the,  2d  Squadron. 

66th  S ervi ce  Sq.;  1st  Lieut,  Joseph  Smith  is.  on.  leave  of' absence  and  is 
traveling  in  China  and  Japan. 

, 1st  Lt,  James  S.  Stowell,  who  arrived  on  the  October  transport,  was  assigned 
to  this  organization  and  took  over  the  duties  of  Squadron  Adjutant,  Mess  Officer, 
Supply  Officer,  Squadron  Athle.tic  Officer  and  Custodian  of  the  Funds. 

The  66th  won  the  inter-squadron  baseball  championship,  winning  seven  straight 
games.  A cup  will  be  presented  to  the  .Squadron  Commander  by  the  E.  & R.  Officer 
at  a later  date. 

Construction  has  started  on  the  new. barracks  for  the  66th. 

Recent  promotions  effected  some  changes  in  commissioned  personnel;  First 
Lieut.  Earl  S.  Hoag  was  promoted  to  Captain,  Air  Corps,  and  relieved  from  duty 
as  Squadron  Adjutant  by  Lieut.  U.G.  Ent,  who  arrived  on  the  last  transport. 

Capt.  Hoag  is  availing  himself  of  two  months  leave  by  traveling  in  the  Straits 
Settlements,  Indo-China,  Siam,  Malay  Peninsula,  Sumatra,  Celebes  a nd  Borneo. 

1st  Lieut.  Dache  M,  Reeves  was  promoted  to  Captain,  Air  Corps,  and  remaihs  on 
duty  as  Assistant  Air  Officer. 


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Brig. Gen.  King,  Assistant  .Chief  of  Staff,  made  a tactical  inspection  of 
the  2d  Squadron  on  Oct.  8th.  Demonstrations  were  made  employing  aerial  gunnery, 
homting  and  communications. 

The  annual  anti-aircraft  season  of  the  Coast  Artillery  at  Ft. Mills  began 
during  the  month.  A total  of  over  two  hundred  hours  flying  time  is  scheduled 
on  these  missions  before  December  24th. 

Two  cross-country  flights  were  made  to  Sah  Jose,  Mindoro, during  the  month. 
Several  flights  were  also  made  over  the  city  of  Baguio.  This  flight  gives  the 
personnel  making  it  a marvelous  view  of  mountain  scenery  and  also  cools  them 
off,  as  it  is  necessary  to  climb  10,000  feet  to  avoid  the  mountains. 

6th  Photo  Section;  The  Commanding  Officer  of  the  6th,  Lieut.  J.M.  McDon- 
nell,, is  on  leave,  traveling  through  China  and  Japan.  During  his  absence,  Lieut. 
P.JP.  Hill  is  in  charge. 

Wright  Field. Dayton. Ohio.  Nov.  23d; 

Lieuts.  E.H.  Schwartz,  E.L.  Blount  andJ.H.  Harrington,  Specialist  Reserve- 
officers  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  spent  two .weeks  active  duty  at  Wright  Field,  beginning 
Oct.  2Cth.  Capt.  Max  0.  Griffith,  formerly  of  the  Power  Plant  Branch,  reported 
for  two  weeks  active  duty  at  the  same  time. 

Capt.  Lowell  H.  Smith  arrived  at  the  Field,  Oct.  21st,  ferrying  a Bomber  - 
(B-3A)  from  the  plant  of  the  Keystone  Company,  Bristol,  Pa. 

Maj.  E.G.  Reinartz,  Flight  Surgeon,  presented  a paper  on  "Aviation  Medicine" 
to  the  Clark  County  Medical  Society  at  Springfield,  Ohio,  on  Oct.  22d.  Lt.  A.F. 
Hegenberger  flew  Major  Reinartz.  to  Springfield  for  the  meeting. 

Lieuts.  S.E.  Prudhomme  and  A.J.  Lyon  left  for  California  on  Oct.  24th  to 
.ferry  two  BT-2B  planes  from  the  plant  of  the  Douglas  Company  at  Santa  Monica 
to  Wright  Field.  The  round  trip  was  made  in  a week. 

Maj.  H.H.  Arnold  and  Lieut.  D.F.  Stace  left  for  SantaMonica  on  Oct.  25th 
to  ferry  two  BT-2B  airplanes  to  Wright  Field. 

Maj.  W.H.Crem  left  for  Buffalo  on  Oct.  26th  to  address  the  Reserve  Officers. 

Lieut.  A.F.  Hegenberger  went  to  Detroit  on  Nov.  4th  for  a conference  with 
the  Ford  Company  regarding  installation  of  navigation  equipment  in  a new  plane. 

Lieut.  O.R.  Cook  and  A.W . Vanaman  flew  to  Cleveland  on  Nov.  5th  for  a con- 
ference with. the  Aluminum  Company  of  America. 

Instructor  Ezra  Kotcher,  of  the  Engineering  School,  went  to  the  factory  of 
the  Goodyear-Zeppelin  Corporation,  Akron,  Ohio,  on  November  5th  to  collect  data 
for  use  in  the  School’s  design  courses.  On  Nov..  7th  eleven  planes  under  the 
direction  of  Maj.  J .D.  Reardan  flew  to  the  same  plant.  They  were  manned  by  of- 
ficers of  the  Engineering  School,  who  inspected  the  factory  as  part  of  the 
School  course.  Those  participating  in  the  flight  besides  Maj.  Reardan  were 
Capts.  Grandison  Gardner,  in  charge  of  the  School;  0.0.  Niergarth,  M.E.  McHugo, 
L..C,  Hurd;  Lieuts.  A>Cv  Foulk,  C.S.  Johnson,  K.B.  Wolfe,  S.M.  Powers,  R,M. 
Williamson,  J.L.  Davidson,  B.W.  Chidlaw,.  R.J.  Minty,  A. R.  Crawford,  H.K.  Bai'sley, 
O.S.  Thorpe,  C.A.  Ross,.  F.E.  Glantzberg.  Maj.  J.C.  Cleary  and  Lieut-.  J.P.  Young, 
Air  Res.,  both  of  the  Materials  Branch,  also  accompanied  the  s tudents. 

Maj  . F.H.  Coleman  left  on  November  6th  for  Picatinny  Arsenal  for  a confer- 
ence with  the  Chief  of  Ordnance  on  porcurement  planning  matters. 

Cap.t.  K.S.  Axtater,  piloting  a TC  airship  from  Scott  Field  to  Langley, 
landed  at  Fairfield  on  Nov.  8th.  Lieut.  R.P.  Williams  joined  the  flight  there, 
accompanying  it  to  Scott  Field  as  co-pilot.  Lieut.  J.C.  Shively  also  formed 
one  of  the  crew.  The.  same  crew,  with  Capt.  Axtater  in  charge,  ferried  another 
TC  airship  upon  the  completion  of  that  duty  from  Scott  to  Langley  Field,  arriv- 
ing there  on  Nov.  18th. 

Capt.  Robert  Kauch  left  on  Nov.  11th  for  Washington  to  attend  a meeting 
of  the  War  Department  Commodity  Committee. 

Brig. -Gen.  H.  C.  Pratt  attended  the  meeting  of  the  National  Advisory  Com- 
mittee for  Aeronautics  in  Waidiington  on  Nov.  12th. 

Lieut.  A.W.  Vanaman  was  granted  a month’s  leave  of  absence  which  he  is 
spending  in  Texas. 

Capt.  E.J?,  Gaines,  Air  Corps  representative  at  the  plant  of  the  Curtiss 
Company, . Buffalo,  New  York,  landed  on  Nov.  13th  at  Wright  Field,  ferrying  a 
new  plane.  Lieut,  D.W.  Buckman , who ;as in  the  observer’s  place  will  ferry  th® 
plane  on  to  Panama  where-  Lt.  Buckman  is  stationed  at  France  Field. 

Lieut.  W.N.  Amis  took  off  on  Nov.  18th  for  Bolling  Field  and  Middletown 
Pa.,  for  a conference  on  Air  Corps  supply  matters, 

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V-6095,A.C. , 


Maj . W.H.  Crom,  on  -Nov.,  IGth,  f e-rriehjm  O^Jt^i^aJ^rt-plarte^'t-o. 

Ft. Crook,  Nebf . , He  returned,  ferrying  a second' plane  from  there  to  Fairfield. 

Lieuts.  F.D.  Klein  and  E.R.  Irwin,  chemists  of  the  Materials  Branch,  left  "by 
air  on  Nov.  18th  for  Bradford,Pa. 5for  temporary  duty  at  the  plant  of  a manufac- 
turing concern. 

B.F.  Trotter  of  the  Flight  Operations  Office,  and  Mrs.  Trotter,  enjoyed  a 
flight  to  New  York  on  Nov.  19th  in  the  Standard  Oil  Development  Company5 s Lock- 
heed Vega,  piloted  by  W.W.  White,  former  Air  Corps  Lieutenant  and  familiarly 
known  as  11  Chi c” . 

Stanley  W.  Richardson  left  cn  Nov,  23d  for  an  extended  trip  covering  var- 
ious fields  and  supply  depots,  where  he  will  instruct  personnel  in  the  new  ma- 
chine "bookkeeping  systems  installed*  Richardson’s  schedule  takes  him  to  Scott 
Field,  Ft, Crockett,  San  Antonio,  Kelly,  Brooks,  Ft. Sam  Houston,  Rockwell  Field, 
March  Field,  Crissy  Field,  Chanute  Field  and  Selfridge  Field,  and  "back  to  Wright 
Field,  which  is  a fairly  good  circuit  of  western  United  States. 

Among  representatives  of  the  commercial  concerns  who  visited  the  Field  this 
month  for  purposes  of  consul  tat  i'oh  with  the  various  engineers,  were  the  follow- 
ing-s  T.E.  Tillinghast,  Pratt-Whitney  Company,  Hartford,  Conn.;  C.W.  Deeds  and 
D.L.  Brown  of  the  same  company;  Arthur  Nutt,  Curtiss  A.  and  M,  Company,  Buffalo, 
N.Y.;  J.E.  Schaefer,  Mac-Short  and  L.C.  Stearman,  Stearman  Aircraft  Company, 
Wichita,  Kansas;  George  B.  Patterson,  Vacuum  Oil  Company,  New  York  City;  S.P. 
Lyon,  Thomas-Morse  Aircraft  Company,  Buffalo, N. Y. ; Lawrence  D.  Bell  and  I.M. 
Laddon,  Consolidated  Aircraft,  Buffalo ,N.Y. ; D.B.  Weaver,  Fokker  Aircraft  Co., 
Moundsville,  W.VA.;  Dr.  S.A.  Moss  - of  Moss  Supercharger  fame  - General  Electric 
Co.,  Lynn,  Mass.;  E.H.  Dix  - formerly  of  the  Materials  Branch  - Aluminum  Company 
of  America,  Pittsburgh;  P.3.  Taylor,  Wright  Aeronautical  -Corp. , Paterson, N.J . ; 

J.P.  Kindel "be rger, Douglas  Co.,  Santa  Monica,  Calif .;  Eric  Neison,  Boeing  Airplane 
Co.,  Seattle , Wash . ; Louis  Meister,  Verville  Airplane  Co. , Detroit , Mich. ; Victor 
Bertrandias,  Fokker  Aircraft  Corp. , New  Y0i*k  City;  R.B.C.  Nocrduyn,  Bellanca, 
Wilmington, Del. ; A.E.  Raabe,  Eclipse  Aviation  Corp. .East  Orange , N.J • ; J.R.  Allen, 
W.W.  Mount s, and  E.Lc  Davis,  Ford  Motor  Co., Detroit, Mich. ; Robert  Insley,  Conti- 
nental Motors, Detroit, Mich. ; Robert  Porter, Kinner  Motor  Co.,  Glendale , Calif. ; 
Frederick  Charavay,  Hartzeli  Propeller  Co.,  piqua,Ohic;  Grover  Loening,  New-  York 
City;  L.C.  Milburn,  Glenn  L.  Martin  Co*.,  Baltimore, Md. ; Victor  Showalter, Elgin 
National  Watch  Co. .Elgin, 111 . ; and  Q,E.  Ross,  Keystone  Aircraft  Corp. .Bristol , 

Pa. 

Among  the  Wright  Field  officers  participating  in  cross-country  training 
flights  during  November  were  the  fallowing;  Lieut,  C.S.  Thorpe  to  Self ridge  and 
Grand  Rapids,  Mich.;  Lieut.  H,K.  Bai^ley  to  Scott  Field  and  Chicago;  Lieut . J . A. 
Woodruff  to  Bolling  Field, D. Cc ; Lt.  F.D.  Klein,  to  Philadelphia,  Pa.;  Lieut. 

S.R.  Harris, Jr.,  to  Mitchel  Field,  L.I..N.Y.;  Lieut.  J.E.  Parker  to  Mitchel 
Field, N.Y.;  Lieut.  C.A.  Ross  to  Cleveland,  Detroit  and  Chanute  Field;  Major  A.H. 
Gilkeson.to  Philadelphia, Pa. ; Lieut.  C.D,  McAllister  to  Pope  Field,N.C.;  Lieut. 
R.L,  Williamson,  to  Louisville, Ky. ; Lieut.  R.p.  Williams  to  Baltimore, Md. ; Lieut. 
H.P.  Rush  to  Scott  and  Chanute  Fields;  Lieut.  L.L.  Beery  to  Bolling  Field, D.C. 
Lieuts.  A.W.  Vanaman  and  E.C.  Langmead  to  Cleveland, Ohio;  Lieut.  Y/.G.  Smith  and 
Lieut.  J.A.  Woodward  to  Chanute  and  Rantoul;  Lieuts.  B.W  . Chidlaw  and  park  Hol- 
land'to  Self ridge  Field;  Lieuts.  Glantzberg,  A.R.  Crawford,  K.B.  Wolfe,  P.H. 
Kemmer  and  Capt.  Carl  Greene  to  Chanute  Field;  Cept.  A.M.  Drake  and  Lieut.  E.R. 
McReynolds  to  Detroit , Mich. 

Lieuts.  C.A.  Ross,  K,P.  Rush  and  F.E.  Glantzberg  are  among  the  officers  who 
have  "been  interested  in  night  training  flights,  several  of  ’which  have  "bean  ma.de 
during  the  past  month* 

Brooks  Field.  Texas,  Nov.  15th* 

Lieut.  O.G.  Kelly  reported  for  duty  from  leave  on  Nov.  13th. 

2nd  Lieut.  G.L . Murray  was  assigned  to  and  joined  the  command,  Nov.  8th 
upon  completion  of  tour  of  foreign  service  in  the  Philippine  Department. 

1st  Lieuts.  A.L.  Bump  and  Raphael  Baez  joined  the  command,'  Nov.  10th. 

Mr.Sgt,  Erwin  H.  Nichols,  highly  responsible  for  the  perfection  of  the 
seat-type  parachute  was  transferred  to  the  AC  Tech.  School,  Chanute  Field, 
Rantoul, 111.  He  takes  Y/ith  him  the  best  wishes,  for  nrosperity  and  happiness 
from  the  entire  command. 

The  officers  of  this  command  attended  the  reception  for  General  Douglas 
MacArthur,U.S.A.  ,held  at  Ft.Sam  Houston  Officers’  Club  the  evening  of  Nov.  12th. 

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The  9th.  Infantry  .-downed  the.  Brooks  Field  Maroons*  pix. jt-o  -fours.  - Battling 
in  a sea  of  mud  and  a constant  drizzle , 'Maj  ."Brooke 1 s Ninth  Infantry  Manchus 
took  advantage-  of  the  breaks  of  the  game  to  s core  a decision  over  the  Brooks 
Field  Maroons,  Saturdays  Nov,  8th.,  on  the  Airmen5  s gridiron.. 

Having  -oo mpleted  two  of  their  scheduled  games  in  the  San  Antonio  Army  foot- 
hall  league,-  the  Maroons  are  training  hard  for  their  remaining  games,  on  Wednes- 
day, Nov.  19,  against  Lieut o ’J'Spike »»  Nave's  Champion  Twenty-Third  Infantry 
Doughboys  and  Thanksgiving  Day's  game  against  the  powerful  Kelly  Field  Flyers. 

Luke  Field,  T.H.  . Nov,  10th-;  ;■ 


With  the  arrival  of  new  airplanes  for  practically  every  organization  here, 
the  flying  personnel  are  looking  forward  to  the  coming ; training  season  with  eager 
anticipation.  So  far  this  year,  55-  new  airplanes  were  received  and  put  into  ser- 
vice at  Wheeler  and  Luke  Fields,  Before  the  end  of  the  year,  it  is  expected  that 
this  number  will  be  increased  by  the  arrival  of  12  new  Observation  planes. and 
two  bi -mo  to  red  Amphibian  airplanes.  The  Keystone  LB-6  Bombers  replaced  the  old 
LB-5's  and  the  0-1 9B,  the  ancient  Be  Havillands,  ;. 

The  training  program  for  -1930-1 931  ha.s  been  published  and  contains  a, : compre- 
hensive outline  of  every  phase  of  training  that  will  be  carried  out  by  the.  Fifth 
Composite  Croup  for  the  ensuing  year.  Inter-island  ..flights  are  included  in  the 
program,  , and  .each  pilot  is  scheduled  to  make  at  least  threq  flights  to  the  Is- 
land of  Hawaii  and  at  least  ' two'  flights  to  the  Island  of  Kauai.  Training,.  .which 
has  been  seriously  handicapped  the  last  few  months  due  to  the  lack  of  equipment, 
will  not  resume  a more/  regular  schedule.  . • . 

72d  Bomber  (knent.  ..Squady-on;  The  Squadron  basketball  team*  after  tossing 
away  the  first,  three  gomes,  finally  reached,  their  stride  and  won  the  next  five 
games  putting  the  team  in  second  position  in  the . Inter- Squadron  League,.  If  the 
same  pace,  is  maintained  for  : the  next  -four  game's,  the  team  will'  either  win  .the 
pennant  or  else  be  tied. with  -the "4th  Observation  Squadron  for  the  championship. 

The  excellent  showing'  made  was  due  directly  to  the  corabihed.  training  efforts  of 
Lieut.  Tallmadge  L.f  B'oyd",  popularly  referred  to  while  playing  as  ''Dynamite 15 plat 
SSgt.  dames  W.  Hill;  Sgt-.  Lapsley; -Fvtsi  ' BuckI  ey,  Johns  on  ,¥ili  jams , Horey,  Tate  and  j 
a host  of  reserves.  The  last  two ■ game s; played  we re  without  doubt  the  best  of  : the 
season,  the  first  ending  in  a tie  with  the  23d  Bombardment  Squadron,  with  the 
team  winning  in  the  five-minute  play-off  and  the  second,  ending  by  a one  point  de- 
feat for  the  4th  Ob serv a ti bn • Squadron,  the  ,ftenip.or.ary league  leaders. 

The  first  of  the  Inter -Squadron  Boxing  Smokers  .was  lost  to  the  strong  4th 
Observation  team,  four  pouts  to  three.  Cpl.  "Dudty15  Bhode.s  won  the  heavy  weight 
bout  in  excellent  stylo  .as  expected.  A new  corner  to  the  Squadron,  pvt..  Thoitnton 
won  his  bout  quite  handily,  and  it  is  believed  that  in  him  the  Post  has  an  ex- 
cellent man  for  the  Sector  chomp ion ship.  Our  third  win  was  quite,  an  upset  to. 
the  second  thinkers,  Pvt, ■ Friend-  taking  Kreegan  of  thu  4th.  Sqpadron.  to  the  clean-  , 
ers.  Although  apparently  a novice-,"  -Friend  out -ge'he railed,  outpunched.  and  out- 
boxed  Ms  opponent  through  the  entire  three  rounds.  ’ JRvt.’.  Me  Convey-,  lost  a hair 
line  decision  which  did  not. please  the  assembled  multitude  at  all.  Barton  put 
up  a very  game  fight,  but.  lost  to  the  much  stronger,  and  older  fighter,  Storey.  'I 
Pvts.  Ludwig  and  Witbuk'  lost-  tough  fights  to  their  opponents..  However,  from  the 
showing  made  by  the  boxing  squad,  we  feel  certain  that  they  will  .came  through 
for  the  squadron  in  the  next  two 'smokers. 

The  swimming  team  is  in  active  training  for  the  coming  meet  and  undoubtedly 
when  the  next  News  Letter  is  published  it  will  contain  data  of  the  winning  72ndr 
naters. 


4th  Observation  Sq, ; This  Squadron  consists  at  present  of  three  CA— IB  Am- 
phibian airplanes  and  six  -Thomas -Morse  Observation  airplanes-,  The.  la.test'  ship's, 
namely,  0-1 9B»  s, received  at  Luke- Field  recently,  attracted  much  attention.  They 
are  of  the  two-seater  type , powered  by  Pratt  & Whitney  425  H.p.  . engines.,  capable 
of  a speed  of  about  130  miles  per  hour.  The  0~19B5  s .are  equipped:  with ymachihe 
guns,  both  fixed  and  flexible.-  , : 

With  these  nine  ships,  the  4th  Squadron  is  ready  to  start  a new  tra&ning 
year  on  November  1st,  which  premises  to  be  more .active  than  ever  before. .The 
training  program  for  the  period  Nov.  1st,  1930,  to  Oct.  31st,  1.231-,. will  cover 
all  phases  of  observation  w ork  and  training,  such  as  .aerial  gunnery  and  bombing, 
radio  and  visual  communication,  aerial  navigation  and  photography,  .cro.ss^coun- 
try  and  formation  flying,  day  and  night  reconnaissance,  combat  maneuvers  and 
liaison  missions  with  other  branches  of  t"he  'lervice* 


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V-6095,A.C, 


Plying  this  month  coi  sisted  mostly  of  testing  new  aircraft  and  also  forma- 
tion flying,  cross-country  flying,  photo  practice,  training  aircraft  crews  and 
practice  flights.  Infantry  Liaison  mission  with  the  22nd  Infantry  Brigade  was 
performed  on  Oct.  17th  with  Lieuts.  Gilbert  and  Dean  as  Pilots  and  Lieuts.  Meyer 
and  Edwards,  as  the  Observers.  The  mission  was  successful.  Two-way  radio  commun- 
ication was  maintained  during  the  entire  mission. 

Several  social  events  in  the  last  few  weeks  were  held  in  honor  of  Capt.  and 
Mrs.  George  p.  Johnson,  scheduled  to  leave  for  the  mainland  on  the  transport 
sailing  Nov.  15th.  Capt.  Johnson  was  assigned  to  duty  at  Langley  Field,  Va. , and 
all  of  Luke  Field  wishes  him  Aloha. 

Capt.  Frank  H.  Pritchard  w&s  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  50th  Observation 
Squadron,  which  was  reorganized  at  this  station  on  Nov.  1st. 

Capt  «■  Herman  G.  Halverson,  who  represented  the  Quartermaster  Corps  at  Luke 
Field  for  the  last  year,  received  orders  to  return  to  the  mainland,  and  will  de- 
part on  the  December  2nd  transport. 

Tech.Sgt.  Drier  arrived. in  this  Department  from  Kelly  Field  and  is  now 
stationed. at  Luke  Field. 

Tech.Sgt.  Ferguson,  formerly  at  Marshall  Field,  Kansas,  arrived  as  a re- 
placement for  Tech,. Sgt . Kowe , who  left  on  Oct.  29th.  for  Marshall  Field.. 

Staff  Sgt.  Wendell  arrived  on  the  October  transport  from  Chanute  Field. 

The  gymnasium  at  Luke  Field  was  converted  into  a dreamland  on  Hallowe'en 
night,  when  the  enlisted  personnel  gave  a costume  masque  dance.  Attendance  tax- 
ed the  hall  to  capacity,  and  the  costumes  worn  and  the  characters  represented 
were  varied  and  striking,  ranging  from  the  elaborate  to  the  simple  dominoe. 

Many  spectators  watched  the  pageant,  portraying  characters  from  Mother  Gocse, 
'Fairyland,  operas,  a.s  well  as  national  dress,  clowns  and  buffoons.  Several 
maidens  carried  out  the  Hawaiian  motif  and  came  attired  in  the  Hula  costume. 

The  gymnasium  was  decorated  with  palm  branches  brought  from  the  other  side  of 
the  Island  and  Jack  O'  Lanterns  and  other  symbols  of  Hallowe'en,  the  most  strik- 
ing being  a gigantic  witch  riding  a broom  suspended  high  above  the  dancers. 

During  and  after  the  dance  refreshments  were  served,  and  the  committee  conduct- 
ing the  affair  was  congratulated  on  every  side  for  what  everyone  claimed  was  the 
most,  successful  enlisted  men's  dance  ever  held  in  the  Islands. 

.Bolling  Field,  D.C..  Nov.  28th; 

Lieuts.  Merrick,  Cousland  and  Willis  just  returned  from  Seat hLe^ Wash.  ,fe  rry- 
ing  three  new  P~12C?s  for  the  Tactical  School  at  Langley  Field, Va.  From  all 
reports  by  them,  their  trip  was  quite  a success.  From  tne  length  of  time  it 
took  these  three  to  return  home,  one  would  judge,  that  their  trip  must  &lso 
have  been  quite  a success  socially*  Of  course,. the  weather  held  these  "feathered 
birds"  up  most  of  the  time.  For  your  information,  it  only  took  them  a few  days 
over  three  weeks.  Suggest  here,  we  use  the  covered  wagons  again. 

Lieut.  Cousland,  our  "cracked  flyer"  was  reported  lost,  missing,  dead  and 
everything  else  when  he  landed,  or  better  say,  was  forced,  to  land  at  Deming, 

New  Mexico,  where  he  remained  for  several-  days,  also  waiting  for  the  fog  to  clbar. 
This  t own , by  the  way,  happens  to  be  where  he  want  through  graded  school.  New 
we  ask  you,  could  one  blame  him  for  the  "foggy"  condition  of  the  so-called 
weather? 

Lieut.  Giovannoli  just  returned  from  a most  enjoyable  trip  to  Havana,  Hai- 
tii,  Porto  Pico,  Santo  Domingo  and  other  desirable  cities.  He  even  came  back 
all  sunburned,  or  was  he  just  blushing  from  telling- his  numerous  tales?  Use 
your  own  judgment. 

On  Nov.  25th,  we  had  as  our  guests  the  Basic  Class  of  the  Army  Medical 
School  students,  approximately  forty-five  in  numbers.  It  is  planned  to  show 
them  around  all  the  departments,  giving  them  hops  and  also  an  acrobatic  demon-- 
stration. 

For  Friday,  December  5th,  the  Officers  and  ladies  of  Bolling  Field  arran^da 
an  Air  Corps  party  at  the  Army,  Navy  and  Marine  Corps  Country  Club.  It  is  plai- 
ned to  be  quite  an  affair,  and  we  are  assured  of  that,  as  Lieut.  Ronald  Hicks 
is  in  charge.  We  hope  to  have  present  quite  a number  of  distinguished  guests, 
a good  number  of  the  officers  and  ladies  of  the  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air 
Corps,  also  officers?  and  ladies  from  the  War  College  and  the  Industrial  College. 


- 375  - 


V~6Q95,A.C. 


Clark  Field,  P.I.,  Nov.  4th; 


3d  Pursuit  Sq.  ; The  dry  season  is  here,  and  the  s quadron  is  looking  forward 
to  maneuvers,  night  flying  and  flights  to  various  parts  of  the  Islands.  On  Nov. 
4th  there  will  he  a cross-country  flight  to'  the  Island  of  Mindoro. 

The  field  lighting  equipment  is  being  put  into  commission  for  night  flying 
during  November. 

The  October  boat  brought  four  new  officers  to  Clark  Field,  #iose  assignments 
to  duties  are  as  follows:  Maj.  Alexander  Mileau,  Flight  Surgeon;  Lieut.  J.R. 
Hawkins,  Station  Supply  Officer;  Lieut.  Burnside,  Assistant  Communications  Offi- 
cer and  Lieut.  A.R.  Springer,  Airplane  Pilot. 

Maj.  C.V.  Hart,  our  old  Flight  Surgeon,  Lieuts.  A.L.  Bump, Jr.  and  G.L. 
Murray,  left  for  the  States  on  the  October  boat.  These  officers  will  be  greatly 
missed  by  the  Squadron. 

Among  the  arrivals  on  the  October  Transport  was  General  King,  who  is  on  a 
tour  of  inspection  of  the  Philippines  and  China.  General  King  inspected  Clark 
Field  on  Oct.  6th,  and  the  Squadron  gave  a gunnery  demonstration  in  his  honor. 

Lieuts.  O.A.  Anderson  and  G.A.  Whatley  were  transferred  to  Nichols  Field, 
Manila,  P.I. 

The  baseball  season  opened,  with  the  first  game  played  with  Ft .Stotsenburg 
on  Oct.  29th.  Clark  Field  lost  the  game  by  a score  of  t en  to  five.  The  team 
this  year  is  made  up  of  all  new  material,  but  will  be  rounded  into  shape  in  a 
short  while.  Lieut.  W.E.  Whitson  is  in  charge  of  the  team. 

The  bowling  team  played  the  last  game.. of  the  Inter-Regimental  Bowling  League 
at  Corregidor  on  Oct.  28th.  Ft, Mills  won  three  straight  games  from  us,  which 
places  them  at  the  top.  The  standing,  of  the  teams  is  as  follows;  Ft.Mills-Ft. 
McKinley-Ni chols  Field-31 st  Infantry-Clark  Field-Sternberg  and  Ft. Santiago. 

oOo — - 

FOOTBALL 

Champions  Edge  Out  Brooks  Maroons. 

Point  After  Touchdown  Is  Margin  of  Doughboy  Victory. 

By  Jack  Germaine  (Army  Sports  Correspondent) 

The  dope  bucket  in  the  San  Antonio  Army  football  league  had  .a  close  fcall 
Wednesday  afternoon  when  the  Brooks  Field  Maroons,  who  were  figured  to  lose  to 
the  champion  Twenty-third  Infantry  Doughboys. by  at  least  three  touchdowns,  out- 
played and  outclassed  the  favorite  in  all  but  the  first  quarter,  losing  by  a 
heart-breaking  score  of  7 to  6.  ..  . 

The  game  was  played  on  the  Brooks  Field  gridiron  before  an  estimated  crowd 
of  2000  soldiers  and  civilians.  The  33d  Infantry  brought  their  band  over  from 
Ft.  Sam  Houston,  playing  their  gridsters  to  victory,.  ... 

Trailing  by.  seven  points  at  the  end. of  the  opening  quarter,  the  Airmen  took 
new  life  as  Pratt,  sensational  little  halfback,  received  a kick  to  make  a beauti- 
ful 40-yard  dash  for  a touchdown*  Sartain' s try  for  extra  point  failed  and  the 
half  ended,  7-6. 

In  scoring  their  touchdown.,  Lieut.  "Spike"  Nave's  Doughboys,  carried  the 
ball  to  midfield  and,  after  t wo  unsuccessful  tries  at  the  line,  Umberger  heaved 
a 50-yard  pass  to  Minnis,  six-foot-four  end,  the  pigskin  landing  into  the  wait- 
ing arms  of  the  lanky  Doughboy  end,  who  fell  over  the  Maroon  gogtl-line  for  a 
touchdown.  Cocke's  kick  for  extra  point  was  good,  the  oval  soaring  over  the 
center  of  the  bar.  This  was  the  lone  point  that  brought  victory.  to  the  23d  In- 
fantry gridders  and  give  them  a real  chance  for  the  1930  Army  foottall  laurels. 

During  the  opening  quarter,  it  was  all  the  Doughboy's,  as  they  dashed  up 
and  down  the  field,  counting  for  5 of  their  12  first  downs  with  Umberger  and 
Faria  bearing  the  burden  with  terrific  line  plunges. 

The  Maroons  came  back  a different  team  at  the  start  of  the  second  quarter, 
outplaying  and  outrushing  their  heavier  rivals.  Heavy  penalties  charged  against 
the  Doughboys  for  clipping,  illegal  use  of  the  hands  and  unnecessary  roughness, 
put  the  ball  in  their  danger  zone,  and  Faria,  standing  behind  his  own  goal, 
kicked  to  his  own  40-yard  line,  where  Pratt  dashed  madly,  behind  the  excellent 
interference  of  his  backfield  mate,  Sartain  for  the  Maroon  touchdown.  It  was 
a tough  break  when  Sartain' s kick  was  just  a bit  wide. 

DOUGHBOYS  HOLD  'EM. 

The  best  kick  of  the  afternoon  was  registered  by  pratt,  cf  the  Flyers, 
who  punted  from  his  own  45-yard  line  out  of  bounds  on  the  Doughboys*  six-yard 
line,  despite  the  disadvantage  of  having  the  wind  against  him.  Faria  and 

V-6095,A. C. 


- 376  - 


Umberger  were  held  for  no  gain;  and  Faria,  standing  behind  his  goal,  -again  punted, 
but  it  was  a fast  kick  which  went  out  to  the  Tightened  zone  to  Felton,  who  made 
a 25-yard  return  before  being  thrown  out'  of  bourds  by  two  Doughboy  tackTers  on 
the  enemy's  5-yard  line®  Pratt  smashed  the  center  of  the  line  for  a three-yard 
gain  on  the  first  down.  Freeman  went  off  tackle,  and  when  the  referee  managed 
to  get  the  pile  undone,  the  ball  lacked  about  3/4  of  a foot  of  being  over.  Again 
Freeman  lugged  the  ball  through  the  line' and  it  looked  like  he  ?/as  over,  but 
again,  no  touchdown®  Attempting  a criss-cross,  on  the  fourth  down,  the  Flyers 
lost  the  ball  and  the  Doughboys  immediately  kicked  out  of  danger.  Neither  team 
threatened  to  score  thereafter  and  as  the  final  gun  sounded,  the  Maroons  had 
possession  of  the  ball  on  their  own  25-yard  line. 

This  game  was  the  hardest  fought  in  the  Army  League  this  season,  the  penal- 
ties giving  an  idea  of  just  how  these  two  able  Army  elevens  battled.  The  Dough- 
boys were  penalized  the  distance  of  120  yards  and  the  Maroons  were  charged  with 
40  yards. 

Smith,  Porter,  Van  Deventer  and  Minnis  were  outstanding  on  the  defense, 
while  Pratt,  Sartain,  Felton,  Umberger,  Faria  and  Sipes  stood  out  on  the 
offensive. 

— oQo— — 

43d  Division  Aviation,  Conn.  National  Guard: 

The  43d  Division,  Air  Service  was  fortunate  in  securing  three  new  2nd  Lieu- 
tenants: Harold  W.  Fairchild  and  Paul  S.  Baker,  both  recent  graduates  from  Kelly 
Field  and  Commercial  Pilot,  Lt.  Sanford  Chandler,  operating  in  Hartford. 

On  Oct.  23d,  Staff  Sgt.  Joseph  C.  Frank  of  the  Armament  Section,  was  ordered 
to  Chanute  Field,  111.,  for  the  armorer's  course. 

This  organization  was  fortunate  in  . receiving  a new  Fairchild  K-ll  Aerial 
Camera,  and  a mosaic  of  Brainard  Field  and  immediate  vicinity  is  in  the  making. 

On  ©ct.  17th,  Admiral  Byrd  made  a visit  to  Hartford,  and  the  43d  Division 
Aviation  with  two  companies  of  Infantry  were  requested  by  the  city  as  a guard  of 
honor. 

Brooks  Field, San  Antonio, Texas,  Nov.  25th: 

Lieut.  Richard  E.  Cobb,  Brooks  Field,  flew  to  Chanute  Field,  Rantoul ,111.  on 
Nov.  22 d,  fcr  the  purpose  of  transporting  enlisted  student  personnel  from  Brooks 
and  Kelly  Fields  to  the  Air  Corps  Technical  School.  Lieut.  Cobb  also  will  return 
graduates  of  the  School  to  their  respective  stations  at  Brooks  and  Kelly  Fields. 

1st  Lieuts.  George  W.  Polk,Jr,and  James  Flannery,  both  of  Brooks  Field,  will 
go  to  Wright  Field, Dayton, 0, , on  Dec.  1st  to  attend  the  Annual  Engineering  and 
Supply  Conference, 

Brooks  Field  was  represented  on  the  occasion  of  the  Mason  Patrick  Air  Trophy 
Race  at  Galveston, Texas , on  SaturdaysUov,  22d  by  Col®  H.B.  Clage$$,and  Lieuts*. J-J 
McBlain,  H.M.  Turner  and  Lawson  flew  in  a 3-unit  formation  as  part  of  the  exhibi- 
tion in  conjunction  with  the  race. 

Lieuts.  Raphael  Baez , Jr, , Arthur  L.  Bump  and  George  L.  Murray,  from  the  Phil- 
ippines, are  new  officers  detailed  for  service  at  Brooks  Field.  They  were  assign- 
ed to  the  52d  School  Squadron,  62d  Service  Sq.  and  51st  School  Sq.  respectively. 

Lieut.  R.W.Gibson'left  Nov. 21st  for  a month' s leave  of  absence. 

Mitchel  Field. L. I. ,N.T, .Nov. 15th: 

Under  the  guiding  hand  of  Lieut .R.F, Travis, Mitchel  Field  is  beginning  to.  loo> 
up  athletically.  The  new  gymnasium,  occupying  half  of  the  warehouse  formerly  tak* 
en  up  by  the  cld  fight  club,  is  no?/  as  ccmnletcly  equipped  as  any  modern  gym. 
Horizontal  bars,  parallel  bars, climbing  poles, rowing  machines, chest  weights, mats, 
dumbells , Indian  clubs, etc. , etc. , have  all  been  installed  and  are  in  constant  use. 

Volley  ball  experienced  a very  popular  season  this  fall.  Each  squadron  has 
its  own  courts,  with  an  indoor  court  in  the  Gym.  for  common  use.  An  Inter-Squadv 
ron  championship  was  run  off,  from  which  the  First  Squadron  emerged  the  victors. 
The  post  Volley  Ball  team  won  its  first  outside  meet  by  defeating  the  Sloane  House 
Y.M.C.A.  ,in  New  York  City  on  Nov. loth.  It  has  several  more  games  scheduled  again:, 
outside  olubs  and  one  or  two  college  teams.  The  team  is  very  anxious  to  meet 
Cither  post  teams,  could  the  games  be  arranged. 

Basketball  season  has  started  and,  according  to  Lieut.  Orr,  the  coach,  the 
prospects  arc  very  bright , indeed.  He  hopes  to  best  all  the  post  teams  in  this 
vicinity, as  well  as  any  outside  club  teams- withhwhich  games  can  be  scheduled. 

Five  of  cur  pilots,  Lieuts.  McOaffory,  Fell,  Bond,  Bostrum  and  Shipley,  just 
returned  to  the  post  from  Aberdeen,  v/here  they  had  been  on  detached  ^rvice  for 
three  months,  towing  targets  and  dropping  bombs. 


377  - 


V-6095.A.C 


VOL.  XIV 


DECEMBER  30,  1930 


NO.  15 


ffABLE  OP  OGWJPS 
— — 0O0 — 

Page  No. 

Aerial  Photographic  Activities  of  the  Army  Air  Corps ' . . .378  - 382 

Designation  of  Special  Service  School  Air  Corps  Detachments 382 

The  Work  of  the  Rockwell  Pi  eld  Air  Depot 382 

Air  Corps  Reserves  of  Pennsylvania  pile  Up  Flying  Time 382 

Improved  Type  of  Flight  Tutor  at  Brooks  Field. 383 

Note  about  Wheeler  Field,  T.H.  . . 383 

History  of  the  14th  photo  Section.  . 384 

First  Washout  of  P-12C  Airplane 384 

Volcano  Eruption  Observed  from  the  Air 384 

photo  Section  Commanded  for  Fine  Work 385 

An  Air-Minded  Better  Half.  385 

Air  Corps  Mercy  Ship  Still  on  the  Job. . 385 

Additional  Buildings  for  Texas  National  Guard  Air  Unit  386 

Speeding  Up  Cranking  of  Airplane,  Engines 386 

94th  Pursuiters  Gather  Considerable  Flying  Time 386 

Retirement  of  Technical  Sergeant  Walter  A.  Hager  386 

Note  about  Major  H.H.C.  Richards, A. C 386 

The  First  Non-Stop  Flight  from  New  York  to  Panama 387 

New  Organizations  at  Wheeler  Field,  Hawaii  387 

The  Mason  M.  Patrick  Trophy  Race 388  - 389 

Sharp  Shooting  on  the  Pacific  Coast 389 

The  Building  program  at  Scott  Field.  389 

Warrant  Officer  Scott  to  G-s  On  Retired  List.  390 

Airmen  Cooperate  with  Cavalrymen  ......  390 

Training  at  Crissy  Field.,  Calif 390  - 391 

Good  Shooting  by  par  suiters  in  Hawaii 391 

War  Department  Orders  Affecting  Air  Corps  Officers  391 

photometric  Tunnel  at  Wright  Held 391 

Cartoon,  "The  Retort  Courteous".  ....  392 

Colonel  Clagett  Makes  Successful  Blind  Flying  Trip  392 

German  Officer  Figures  in  Long  Cross-Country  Trip.  392 

Note  about  Captain  Morris  B9 rm.an , A . C . . . 392 

Cadet  Doings  at  the  Brocks  Field  Flying  School  393  - 394  V 

A Sportsmen1 s Paradise  .....  394 

Crash  Victims  Show  Improvement  ............  394 

Notes  from  Air  Corps  Fields.  395 

' i 


V-6102.A.C. 


VOL.  XIV  AIR 

CORPS 

HEWS 

HO.-  15 

Information  Division  ‘ 

. 'i 

Munitions  Building 

Air  Corps  "December'  30,  1930  Washington,  D.C, 


The  chief 'purpose  of  this  publication  is  to  distribute  information  on  aero- 
nautics to  the  flying  personnel  in  the  Regular  Army,  Reserve  Corps,  Rational 
Guard,  and  others  connected  with'  aviation. 

- — 0O0 — - 

AERIAL  PHOTOGRAPHIC  ACTIVITIES  OE  THE  ARM!  AIR  CORPS 

One  of  the  most  interesting  branches  of  work  performed  by  the  Air  Corps, 
not  only  with  regard  to  its  military  value  but  also  its  employment  in  connection 
with  civilian  agencies,  is  that  involving  the  use  of  aerial  photography.  In  the 
military  field  it  obtained- its  first  great  impetus  during  the  World  War,  Aerial 
observation  during  the  early  stages  of  that  conflict  was  carried  on  entirely 
by  observers  who  reported  what  they  saw  below.  As  time  went  on,  however,  it 
was  found  that  the  photographic  eye  of  the  camera  was  better  adapted  for  many 
purposes  than  its  human  counterpart.  The  photograph  was  accurate,  it  covered  a 
wide  field,  it  could  be  kept  for  an  indefinite  period  of  time  and  the  comparison 
of  a series  taken  at  intervals  indicated  interesting  developments  which  could  be 
better  ascertained  in  this  manner  than  in  any  other. 

The  use  of  aerial  photographs  as  a supplement  to  the  work  of  the. observer 
has  a wide  range  of  usefulness.  Knowledge  of  what  .the  enemy  is  doing  and  what 
are  the  dispositions  of  his  troops  and  equipment  is  of  vital  importance  to  an 
army.  The  effect  of  artillery  fire,  the  discovery  of  camouflage  and  many  other 
details  of  interest  can  he  deduced  from  a study  of  aerial  photographs.  This 
work  must  be  done  by  those  who  have  had  special  instruction  in  the  interpretation 
of  the  photographs,  which  is  a highly  specialized  duty. 

Interpretation  of  aerial  photographs  is  explained  in  Training  Regulations 
210-10,  which  may  be  procured  from  the  Superintendent  of  Documents,  Washington, 
D.O.,  for  20  cents. 

The  analyses  made  not  only  discover  facts-,  but  may  also  be  utilized  to 
give  evidence  of  what  are  the  plans  of  the  enemy  forces. 

Aerial  photographs  fall  into  two  principal  categories,  those  knorm  as 
obliques  and  those  designated  as  verticals.  Oblique  photographs,  .the  type  with 
which  the  public  is  most  familiar,  are  taken  by  pointing  the  camera  over  the 
side  .of  the  airplane and  shew  the  view  as  it  would  appear  if  taken  from  a high 
building.  Those  of  most  value  are  usually  taken  at  an  angle  of .approximately 
30  degrees  below  an  imaginary  line  running  parallel  with  the  earth’s  surface 
and  passing  through  the  center  of  the  camera.  They  are  particularly  valuable 
in  warfare  for  the  purpose  of  familiarizing  the  Air  Corps  as  well  as  ground 
troops  with  the  areas  over  which  they  are  to  operate  and  the  changes  which  are 
taking  place  from  day  to  day. 

The  uses  of  aerial  photography  in  pea.ee  time  are  manifold.  Maps  made  by 
this  means  have  been  used  by  city  planning  bodies  in  making  provision  for  the 
future  development  of  municipalities.  It  1ms  proved  valuable  in  the  laying  out 
of  electric  transmission  lines.  Large  areas  of  land  have  been  mapped,  and. 'this 
method  has  also  been  quite  extensively  used  in  making. preliminary  reconnaissances 
over  isolated  country  in  which  mineral  deposits  are  being  sought.  Oblique  photo- 
graphs are  frequently  employed  for  advertising  purposes. 

Vertical  photographs  are  taken  by  means  of  a camera  which  is  ordinarily 
mounted  inside  the  fuselage  of  the  plane  and  points  downward  through,  a hole  in 
the  floor.  It  is  obvious  that  while  it  is  almost  impossible  to  keep  the  camera 
pointing  steadily  in  a precisely  vertical  direction,  any  considerable  deviation 
from  such  a position  must  result  in  distortion  and  a lack  of  accuracy,  parti cu-. 
larly  where  a series  of  photographs  are  desired. 

The  area  covered  by  a single  exposure  is  determined  by  the  altitude  of  the 
plane  above  the  ground  and  the  focal  length  cf  the  lens  used.  It  is  often  de- 
sirable to  cover  a larger  surface  and,  in  this  case , the  usual  procedure  is  to 
take  a succession  of  overlapping  exposures  at  regular  intervals,  the  prints  from 
which  are  mounted  in  their  proper  position  in  relation  to  each,  other,  and  which 
form  what  is  known  as  a strip  map  or  a mosaic,  which  may  cover  a wide  area  of 
ground.  Fnen  assembled  with  accurate  controls  mosaics  may  be  utilized  to  form 
accurate  maps. 

Another  method  of  operation  consists  in  taking  composite  vertical  -ohoto- 

-373-  * V-6102,  A.C, 


graphs.  This  is  done  "by  assembling  two  or  more  aerial  photographs  mad.e  at  one 
exposure  by  a multiple  lens  camera,  and  printed  and  mounted  in  such  a way  that 
the  assembled  photographs  form  the  equivalent  of  one  taken  with  a wide  angle 
lens.  The  camera  used  has  one  lens  pointing  vertically  downward  and  two  or  more 
in  an  oblique  direction.  The  resulting  oblique  photographs  are  projected  into 
the  plane  of  the  vertical  photograph  by  means  of  a transforming  printer.  The 
advantage  of  this  camera  is  that  with  three  lenses  tangent  to  a wide  arc,  it 
covers  a very  wide  territory.  For  instance,  at  15,000  feet  altitude,  the  field 
of  view  is  9.4  miles  across.  Cameras  of  the  type  used  in  making  composite 
vertical  photographs  ordinarily  have  three  or  four  lenses,  although  in  one  which 
has  been  experimented  with  the  number  has  been  increased  to  five.  This  method 
is  frequently  used  in  large  mapping  projects.  Training  Manual  #2170-6  is  a 
valuable  reference  book  on  aerial  photography  and  may  be  procured  from  the 
Superintendent  of  Documents,  Government  Printing  Office,  for  55  cents.  It  de- 
scribes the  cameras  in  detail  and  also  the  methods  employed  in  aerial  mapping. 

Single  photographs  show  objects  in  one  plane.  Stereograms  are  overlapping 
pairs  of  either  vertical  or  oblique  aerial  photographs.  Their  value  lies  in 
the  fact  that  they  will  show  up  the  relief  in  a photograph-;  and  allow  us  to  view 
the  picture  and  see  it  just  as  we  would  see  the  object  itself.  Stereoscopic 
photography  employs  the  principle  underlying  binocular  vision.  The  human  eyes' 
are  about  two  and  three-fourths  inches  apart,  and  this  double  vision  gives  us  a 
sense  of  relief  or  depth  in  all  objects  we  view  up  to  a certain  distance.  Be- 
yond this  certain  distance  the  two  eyes  receive  visions  which  merge,  and  we 
receive  an  impression  more  like  a single  -photograph  than  a stereoscopic  view. 

The  ordinary  stereogram  is  produced  by  photographing  an  object  with  a 
camera  having  two  lenses  approximately  three  inches  apart.  This  gives  a 
double  or  an  overlapped  picture  of  the  object  which,  when  viewed  in  a stereos- 
cope, is  re-produced  to  the  eye  as  a single  photograph  that  gives  the  sensation 
of  relief.  In  aerial  photography  the  same  principle  is  employed,  but  it  is 
exaggerated.  Owing  to  the  distance  from  the  lens  to  the  object  photographed, 
when  taking  pictures  in  the  air  a double  lens  camera  with  lenses  several  inches 
apart  would  not  produce  this  stereoscopic  effect.  For  that  reason,  in  aerial 
photography  this  effect  is  obtained  by  making  two  photographs  at  some  distance 
apart  from  the  same  altitude.  Overlapping  photographs  show  exactly  the  same 
areas,  but  slightly  different  views  of  it.  When  viewed  together  through  a 
stereoscope,  with  the  two  pictures  on  their  proper  sides  in  the  order  in  which 
they  were  taken,  the  stereoscopic  effect  is  obtained. 

Thus  , relief  of  buildings,  depth  of  valleys,  and  all  such  features  are  im- 
mediately brought  out  and  understood.  Naturally,  stereograms  or  stereophoto- 
graphs are  a great  aid  in  the  interpretation  of  aerial  photographs,  as  they 
enable  one  to  realize  the  relief  of  the  ground. 

The  cameras  used  are  the  result  of  much  ingenious  development.  That  em- 
ployed in  making  composite  vertical  photographs  has  already  been  described. 

That  generally  used  in  taking  verticals  contains  a long  roll  of  film.  Expos- 
ures are  made  automatically  at  intervals  previously  determined,  ranging  from 
ten  to  ninety  seconds  between  exposures.  This  interval  will  be  determined  by 
the  airspeed  of  the  plane,  strength  and  direction  of  the  wind  which  determines 
the  plane’s  ground  speed,  and  the  altitude  at  which  the  photograph  is  taken. 

There  is  also  a device  for  notifying  the  nilot  and  observer  a few  seconds  be- 
fore the  time  of  exposure,  thus  allowing  the  pilot  to-  level  the  ship  and  the 
observer  to  maintain  the  axis  of  the  camera  in  a vertical  position.  The  auto- 
matic device  may  also  be  disconnected  and  the  exposure  made  when  the  observer 
desires. 

The  planes  used  are  specially  designed  for  the  work,  a number  of  Fairchild 
single-motored  cabin  planes  having  been  bought  by  the  Air  Corps  for  the  work. 
Camera  mountings  are  important  fittings,  it  being  necessary  that  they  should 
eliminate  vibration  as  much  as  possible  and,  in  the  case  of  vertical  photographs, 
enable  the  observer  to  keep  the  camera  axis  as  nearly  in  the  vertical  as  'pos- 
sible. Sponge-rubber  pads  and  shock  absorber  cord  are  generally  used  to  dampen 
vibration. 

The  pilot  should  have  special  training  in  the  technique  of  flying  a photo- 
graphic ship.  It  is  only  after  considerable  experience  that  the  best  results 
are  obtained.  Then,  too,  in  order  to  achieve  success,  the  pilot  and  photographer 
should  have  worked  together  so  as  to  be  familiar  with  each  other’s  methods. 

In  this  as  in  other  fields,  the  best  results  are  obtained  by  teamwork. 

While  not  directly  used  in  aerial  'photography,  an  interesting  development 
in  the  use  of  photography  in  aircraft  is  the  gun  camera  and  time- registering 

-379-  7*- 6102 , A.  C. 


device.  This  is  used  for  the  purpose  of  training  personnel  in  the  use  of 
machine  guns,  and  is  mounted  in  connection  with  the  guns.  When  the  trigger  is 
pulled,  instead  of  bullets  being  fired  a series  of  photographs  are  taken, 
which  show  the  number  of  hits  that  would  have  been  made  had  ball  ammunition 
.been  ube'd'.'  In  the  case  of  a simulated  contest  between  two  or  more  aircraft, 
the  time-registering  device'  shows.' the  . exact  time  at  which  the  first  vital  shot 
was  fired,  thus  permitting  the  winner  of  the  combat  to  he  determined. 

The  Army  Air  Corps  has  been  a pioneer  in  the  development  of  aerial  photo- 
graphy. At  the  experimental  plant  of  the  Materiel  Division, at  Wright  Field, 
Dayton,  Ohio,  a complete  laboratory  is  maintained,  which  is  continually  en- 
deavoring to  devise  new  applications  And  improvements  in  the  art.  Either 
alone  or  in  cooperation  with  commercial  organizations,  Army  technicians  have 
been  responsible  for  numerous  advances  in  construction,  and  technique.  Notewor- 
thy among  these  have  been  the  development  of  high  altitude  and  long  distance 
photography,  as  well  as  the  taking  of  photographs  at  night. 

Foremost  in  the  development  of  high  altitude  and  distance  photography  has 
been  Captain  Albert  W.  Stevens,  Air  Corps,  who  with  Captain  St.  Clair  Streett 
shares  the  distinction  of  having  reached  the  highest  altitude,  ever  attained  in 
an  airplane  carrying  two  occupants  - 37,854  feet.  Captain  Stevens,  in  recogni- 
tion of  this  high  altitude  flight  and  for  his  efforts  in  long-distance  photo- 
graphic flights,  was  awarded  the  Mackay  Trophy  for  1929,  this  being  an  annual 
award  for  the  most  meritorious  flights  made  by  Air  Corps  personnel.  In  high 
altitude  flying,  the  photographs  taken  cover  a tremendous  area,  as  much  as  33 
square  miles,  and  they  are  remarkably  clear  as  to  detail,  permitting  of  enlarge- 
ments being  made  to  ten  diameters.  At  these  high  altitudes,  owing  to  the  thin- 
ness of  the  atmosphere,  human  life  can  be  sustained  only  through  the  use  of 
oxygen  which  is  carried  along.  Very  low  temperatures  are  encountered,  running 
as  much  as  60  or  70  degrees  below  zero. 

While  exploits  of  this  kind  may  at  first  sight  appear  of  little  value,  they 
are  nevertheless  of  decided  importance.  At  such  altitudes  - five  miles  or  more  - 
airplanes  are  inaudible  and,  except  in  certain  cases  when  the  moisture  in  the 
exhaust  is  frozen  into  a kind  of  cloud  streamer,  also  invisible.  Photographs 
could  thus  be  taken  over  enemy  territory  without  the  presence  of  the  photographic 
plane  being  even  recognized. 

Closely  allied  with  high  altitude  photography  is  that  which  involves  the 
taking  of  photographs  at  long  ranges.  Up  to  date,  the  record  distance  covered  in 
work  of  this  kind  is  believed  to  have  been  attained  during  the  Air  Corps  Field 
Exercises  at  Mather  Field,  Calif.,  in  April,  1930.  At. that  time  photographs 
taken  from  an  altitude  of  20,400  feet  over  a point  near  Crater  Lake,  Oregon,  show 
very  distinctly  Mount  Rainier,  in  Washington,  an  airline  distance  of  270  miles. 
The  mountain  was  not  visible  to  the  human  eye  because  even  on  clear  days  the 
atmosphere  contains  sufficient  haze  to  limit  vision  to  less  than  27  miles.  These 
remarkable  results  are  obtained  through  the  use  of  special  film  sensitive  to  the 
invisible  infra-red  rays  which  penetrate  smoke  and  haze.  Special  filters  are 
also  placed  over  :the  lens  and  are  frequently  used  in  taking  vertical  photographs 
as  well . 

Another  branch  of  aerial  photography  in  which  the  Air  Corps  has  made  remark- 
able progress  has  been  in  the  taking  of  photographs  at  night.  Development  work 
in  this  field  was  done  in  conjunction  with  the  Eastman  Kodak  Co.,  the  principal 
Army  representative  having  been  Lieut.  George  W.  Goddard,  Air  Corps.  Lieut. 
Goddard"1  s article  - "Unexplored  Philippines  from  the  Air,"  in  the  National 
Geographic  Magazine  for  September,  1930,  is  worth  reading.  Night  photographs  are 
made  by  firing  a large  charge  of  magnesium  powder  with  automatic  means  for  trip- 
ping the  camera  at  the  point  of  maximum  intensity  of  the  flashlight.  Were  the 
camera  shutter  to  remain  open  for  any  considerable  length  of  time,  awaiting  the 
flash  of  the  magnesium  bomb,  the  resultant  photograph  might  show  a blur  caused  by 
lights  on  the  ground,  es^pecially  in  the  case  of  night  photography  over  any  well 
lighted  city.  Therefore,  a photo  electric  cell  is  an  accessory  to  the  camera.  A 
magnesium  bomb  is  released  from  the  plane,  and  two  seconds  after  it  has  been  re- 
leased on  its  small  parachute,  a time-fuse  explodes  it.  At  the  "point  of  highest 
intensity  of  light  the  photo-electric  cell  reacts  and  trips  the  instantaneous 
shutter  of  the  camera.  The  flash-bomb  contains  25  pounds  of  magnesium  powder. 

The  value  of  night  photography  in  warfare  is,  of  course,  manifest.  The  world’s 
first  night  reconnaissance  strip  mosaic  was  photographed  in  pitch  darkness  on 
the  night  of  June  27,  1930,  in  connection  with  the  work  of  the  Department  of 
Photography,  Air  Corps  Technical  School,  Chanute  Field,  Rantoul,  Illinois. 

Apace  with  the  development  of  night  photography  has  come  the  working  out  by 

-380- " ’ V-61Q2,  A.C. 


the  Air  Corps  .of  a ■process.,  of.  quick  work  photography  .bywmeane^.edk  which-.. it  has 
"been  possible  to  reduce  the,  minimum  'lime,,  from  the-eocpoeare  of  the  film  in  the 
camera  until  the  finished  photograph,  is  dropped  .from  the  plane  to  seven  min- 
utes, hut  usually  from  nine  to  ten  minutes  is  advisable  in  order  to  insure  most 
perfect  results.  After  the  pictures  are  finished  they  are  dropped  in  a special 
message  tube  with  a pocketed  streamer , somewhat  in  the  form  of  a miniature  para- 
chute. Completed  photographs  can  in  this  way  be  delivered  in  field  operations 
to  those' needing  them  much  more  rapidly 'than  by  the  former  method  of  having  the 
negatives  developed  and  prints  made  at  the  squadron's  base  of  operations.  In 
this  work  a special  . dual-purpose  film  is- used;  one  which  is  a negative  by 
transmitted  light  and  a positive  by  reflected- light-.  Prints  may  be  made  from 
this  if  desired  after  examination  by  the  ground  forces.-  : ; 

An  interesting  demonstration  of  the  combination  of  night  photography  and 
the  quick-work  process  was  given  when  night  photographs  of  prominent  points  in 
Washington  were  taken  on  March  3,  1929.  In  this  case,  the  photographs  were 
made  and  the  message  tube,  pi  eked' up  and  taken  to  the  office  of'  the  American 
Telephone . and  Telegraph  Company,  'where'  -it  was  placed- on- the -transmitting  roll 
or  drum  of  the  telephoto  apparatus  and  immediately ■ sent  by  wire  to  eight  of  the 
principal  cities  of  the  United  States.  They  were 'then  recopied  and  25  positive 
prints  were  struck  off  and  delivered  to  Army- Air : Corps  representatives  for  dis- 
tribution to  the  press. 

During  the  Field  Exercises  of  1930,  an'aerial  photograph  was  made  of  the 
City  of  Sacramento , Calif.  The  negative  was  developed  in  the  airplane  and 
dropped  within  twelve  minutes  to  a waiting  newspaper -representative.  The  photo- 
graph was  reproduced  in  the  newspaper,  which  was  on  the  streets  within  an  hour. 
This  is  believed  to  be  record  time.. 

The  photographic  work  of  the  Air  Corps  is  not  restricted  to  military  duties,  ,1 
but  wide  cooperation  has  been  extended  to  other  branches  of  the  government  and 
even  to  outside  agencies.  Host  extensive  of  this  work  has  been  the  aerial  map- 
ping carried  on  in  conjunction  with  the  U.S.  Geological  Survey,  which  has  for 
many  years  been  e?agaged  in  the  production  of  a topographic  map  of  the  entire 
United  States,  During  the  last  fiscal  year,  Air  Corps  photographic  units  photo- 
graphically surveyed-  an  area;  of  11,500  squa.re  miles  , turning  the  results  over  to 
the  Geological  Survey.  Similar  work  was  recently -completed  in  Maine,  Michigan, 
Montana  and  Washington  State.'  During . the  same  fiscal  year,  aerial  surveys 
covering  1500  square  miles  were  made  for  .the  Coast  and  Geodetic  Survey,  which 
has  charge  of  the  preparation  of  maps  of  our  coasts  and  harbors. 

-Other  governmental  departments,  .have  also  been  aided.  A large  area  in  the 
vicinity  of  Phoenix,  Arizona,  has  been  mapped  in  .connection  with  the  work  of  the 
Smithsonian  Institution  on-  the  prehistoric  canals  of  that  region.  A survey  was 
also  made  of  the  Rio  Grande.  River  from  El  Paso,  Texas,  almost  to  the'  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  for  the  joint  use-  of.  the  International  Water  Commission  and  the  Inter- 
national Boundary  Commission. 

These  operations  have  been  responsible  for  enormous  savings.  The  work  for 
the  Geological  Survey,  for  example,  has  provided  hot  only  for  the  bringing  up  to  - 
date  of  maps  made  many  years  agp,  but  also  for  the  mapping  of  entirely  new  sec- 
tions. While  the  Air' Corps  is.  authorized  to  make'- a charge  for  part  of  the  cost, 
its  extensive  research  and  the  services  of  its- personnel  are  direct  contribu- 
tions . to  the  other  departments. 

Somewhat  more  unusual  was.  the  work  of  two  photographic  units  during  the 
eclipse  of  the  sun  oh  April  28,  1930,.  One  operated- near  Reno,  'Nevada,  in  con- 
junction with  Pomona  College,,  and  the  other  in  western  central  California  in 
cooperation  with  the  Lick  Observatory , making  motion -and  still  photographs  of  the 
eclipse.  The  authorities  of  Pomona  College  stated  ih  effect  that  these  photo- 
graphs were  invaluable  as  an  aid  in  astronomical  research. 

The  Air -Corps  has  also  shown  a willingness  to  aid  outside  organizations  in 
the  development  of  their  activities.  Prom  the  photographic  point  of  view,  this 
included  granting  leave  to  Captain  Albert  W.  Stevens  to  join  the  expedition  of 
Dr.  Alexander  Hamilton  Rice  in  exploring  some  of  the  hitherto  unknown  headwaters 
of  branches  of  the  Amazon  River,  and  several  -years  later  to  assist  the  National 
Geographic  Society  in  exploration  work  in  South  America.  Although  he  was  not  on 
the  active  list  of  the  Army  at  the  time,  Captain  Ashley  G.  McKinley,  Chief 
Photographer  for  the  Byrd  Antarctic  Expedition,  was  an  Army  trained  photographer 
and  a member  of  the  Air  Corps  Reserve. 

So  great  has  been  the  demand  of  the  Press  for  aerial  -photographs  to  illus- 
trate news  items  and  feature  artioles  on  the  work  of  the  Air  Corps  that  each  year 

-381-  V-5102 , A.C. 


the  Office  of  ihe-tMed  o±lHioe  iir  (Jorns. an  Wiii® 


ifiUM-IlMlW  ^AU^uE 

of  photographs  for  this  purpose^ . ^These -are— all  views  of  flight  formations  or 
o#fer  military  subjects , for  the  Air  Corps  cannot  distribute  its  photographs  of 
non-military  subjects  unless  they  are  to  be  used  to  illustrate  an  article  on 
photography  or  aviation.  This- re  strict  ion  is  to  avoid  -placing  the  Air  Corps 
in  competition  with  many  aerial  photographic  concerns  which  are  established 
for  the  purpose  of  making  and. selling  aerial  photographs. 

Hot  only  is  the  subject  of  aerial  photography  an  interesting  one,  but  it 
is  a highly  technical  one  to  those  engaged  in.  it,  The  Air  Corps  maintains  a 
photographic  School  at  Chanute '.Field,  Ban.toul , 111.  , for  its  officers  and  en- 
listed men.  Annually  the  men  graduated  from  this  school  are  ready  to  command 
or  take  their  place  in  any  of  the  Photo  Sections  which  carry  on  work  for  the 
Army  Air  Corps. 

— -0O0 


DESIGNATION  OP  SPECIAL  SERVICE  SCHOOL  AIR  CORPS  DETACHMENTS 


The  Secretary  of  War  has  directed  that  the  Special  Service  School  Air  Corps 

Assignment 


Detachments  be 

organized  and  designated  as  follows: 

DETACHMENT 

Officers 

Men 

Airplanes 

Station 

Flight  A,  16th 

Obs.  Sqdn. 

5 

25 

3*. 

Langley  Field, 
Virginia . . 

Flight  B,  16th 

Obs.  Sqdn. 

’ 5 

25 

3 , 

Ft .Benning,  Ga. 

Flight  C,  16th 

Obs . Sqdn..' 

' 5 

25  /I 

2 

Ft.  Bragg,  N.C 

Flight  D,  16th 

Obs.  Sqdn, 

5 

25 

3 

Fort  Riley, 
Kansas  . 

Flight  E,  16th 

Obs.  Sqdn. 

5 . 

-.  25 

•oOo— 

2 

Fort  Sill, 
Oklahoma 

lery  School. 

. Infantry 
School . 

. Ft  ,\ Bragg, N( 
Cavalry 
School. 

Field  Artil- 
lery School, 


THE  WORK  OF  THE  ROCKWELL  FIELD  AIR  DEPOT  . 

During  the  month  of  November,- 12  airplanes  and  45  engines  received  complete 
major  overhauls  pX  the .Rockwell  Air  Depot*  Coronado,  Calif. 

A total  of  4,252-|-  man  hours  was.  expended -in  the  shops  of  the  Engineering 
Department  of  the  Depot,  for  the  manufacture  and  repair  of  Air  ..Corps,  equipment 
other  than  airplanes  and  engines. 

Several  airplanes , . including  P-12C*  s<,  BT-231  s and  0-38*  s.,  .as  well  as  other 
types,  have  been  coming' through  the  Depot  for  minor  work  and  mechanical  checkup 
preparatory  to  being  ferried  to  eastern  stations.  • 

Work  was  completed  on  the  ; laying  of  the  new  steam.,  lines  from  the  boiler 
house  to  the  engine  repair  building  for  use  in  connection  with  the  operation  of 
the  Hobart  industrial  washing  machine. 

Work  is  also  -progressing  on  the  installation  of  additional  gas  tanks  at  the 
test  blocks  for  using  domestic  gasoline  as .well  as -ethylized  gasoline  in  the 
block  testing  of  engines. 

— oOc— - 

AIR  CORPS  RESERVES  OF  PENNSYLVANIA  PILE 'UP  FLYING  TIME 


Twenty-eight  officers  of  the  Air  Corps  Reserve , most  of  them  members  of  the 
324th  Observation  Squadron,  in  the  Pittsburgh  (Pennsylvania)  District,  had  449 
hours  of  flying  during,  the  fiscal  year  ended  June  20,,  1930,  according  to  a report 
by  the  Inspector  of  the  Third  Corps  Area.  The  number  of  flying' hours  allotted 
to  the  Pittsburgh  Air  District  for  Reserve  officer  training' during. the  fiscal 
year  that  will  end  June  30,.  1931,  is:  35.0.-  . 

The  commanding  officer  at  the  Pittsburgh  Airport  is.  1st  Lieut.  Samuel  C» 
Eaton,  Jr.,  Air  Corps. . There  are  also  three  civilian  mechanics  and  one  Army 
Sergeant  on  duty  at  Rogers  Field,-  . Since  no  flight  surgeon  is  on  duty  at  this 
field,  a medical  officer  from:  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  spends  one  week  every 
six  months  in  Pittsburgh,  making  physical  examinations  of  Reserve  officers  who 
are  entitled  to  fly.  Lieut.  Eaton  had  91  hours  of  flying  during  the  Fiscal  Year 
1930.  There  are  four  PT-1  Primary  Training  planes  and  tm.  BT-2B  Douglas  planes 
at  Rodgers Field.  Lieut.  Eaton  cordially. welcomes  Air  Corps  visitors, 

-332-  V-S102,  A.C. 


IMPROVED  TYPE  OF  PLIGHT  TUTOR  AT  BROOKS  PI  ELD 

There  is  now  at  the  Primary  Plying  School  at  Brooks  Field,  San  Antonio, 
Texas,  an  improved  type  Plight  Tutor.  Improvements  in  this  machine  include: 

1.  Lighter  car  to  reduce  the  force  of  momentum; 

2.  A more  equalized  effect  of  the  three-control  surfaces; 

3.  A larger  electric  motor  to  give  a stronger  air  stream; 

4.  A larger  and  more  comfortable  cockpit; 

5.  A system  of  electric  brush  contacts  that  will  not  overheat,  and 

6.  An  improved  telephone  system. 

The  purpose  of  the  experiments  with  the  Plight  Tutor  is  to  secure,  if  pos- 
sible* a mechanical  device  which  will  determine  to  a large  extent  the  aptitude 
of  a candidate  for  flying  training.  In  addition,  it  should  educate  the  appli- 
cant in  (l)  familiarity  with  the  unusual  positions  which  an  airplane  is  capable 
of  assuming;  (2)  feeling  the  use  and  effect  of  controls,  and  (3)  becoming  ac- 
customed to  noise  similar  to  that  of  a plane  in  flight. 

More  than  forty  graduates  of  the  United  States  Military  Academy, who  re- 
ported at  Brooks  Field  for  primary  flying  training  a short  time  ago,  were  booked 
for  a course  of  instruction  on  the  Plight  Tutor.  The  first  ride  taken  by  a 
candidate  is  simply  to  accustom  him  to  the  machine  and  to  the  use  of  its  con- 
trols, following  which  there  are  at  least  four  more  rides,-  viz:  (1)  Banks; 

(.2)  Gentle  and  Medium  Banks;  (3)  Review,  Climbing  and  Gliding  turns;  and  (4) 
Acrobatics  for  unusual  positions. 

The  principle  of  the  Plight  Tutor  is  to  provide  a mechanical  device  which 
will  operate  as  nearly  as  possible  like  an  airplane.  The  car  is  actuated  by  a 
three- bladed  propeller , driven  by  a 20  horsepower  motor  which  is  placed  in  the 
nose  of  the  car.  The  car  is  hinged  at  the  nose  and  tail  in  a frame  which  is 
again  hinged  in  the  third  dimension  to  a larger  frame.  The  car,  then,  is  actu- 
ated directly  by  the  action  of  the  air  stream  from  the  propeller  on  the  control 
surfaces.  These  surfaces  are  similar  to  those  of  an  airplane,  consisting  of 
ailerons,  elevators  and  rudder.  The  control  surfaces  are  operated  exactly  in 
the  same  manner  as  those  of  the  general  type  of  land  planes.  It  can  be  placed 
in  every  position  that  a plane  in  flight  can  assume. 

The  fact  that  it  is  a mechanical  device  resting  on  the  ground  handicaps 
its  operation  as  compared  to  an  airplane  in  flight  in  several  ways:  First,  it 
receives  no  sustentation  from  the  air  stream;  second,  its  change  in  balance 
does  not  provide  the  same  centrifugal  force  upon  the  pilot;  third,  gyroscopic 
action  effects  operation  throughout  flight,  which  is  not  true  in  an  airplane 
while  in  flight.  It  is  impossible  to  simulate  maintenance  of  equilibrium  of 
forces  necessary  in  airplane  control. 

It  was  estimated  that  it  would  require  at  least  a month  to  complete  .the 
proposed  test  cn  the  new  Flight  Tutor.  Each  student  was  scheduled  to  receive 
at  least  an  hourJs  actual  time  in  the  car,  the  hour  to  be  divided  into  fifteen- 
minute  -rides. 

It  was  proposed  to  make  a study  of  each  student  in  ail  phases  indicative  of 
aptitude  toward  the  normal  reception  of  flying  training.  Such  phases  include 
cerebration,  coordination,  synchronism,  control  touch,  intelligence,  and  ability 
to  progress  normally.  After  the  final  ride,  the  ratings  of  each  flight  will  be 
compared,  and  each  student  then  will  he  judged  according  to  his  expected  ability 
to  complete  the  course  of  flying  training,  as  now  given  at  Brooks  Field,  using 
an  average  normal  student  as  a basis  of  comparison.  By  comparing  these  ratings 
with  the  actual  results  of  the  class  in  its  flying  training,  the  true  value  of 
the  Plight  Tutor  can  be  determined. 

It  is  expected  that  the  necessity  of  other  improvements  in  the  Plight  Tutor 
will  be  brought  to  light  in  this  service  test.  There  is  a possibility  that  the 
machine  in  its  present  stage  may  prove  unsatisfactory,  but  the  officials  at 
Brooks  Field  express  the  hope  that  it  constitutes  a step  in  the  right  direction 
and  that  from  it  a machine  can  be  developed  which  will  materially  aid  the  Air 
Corps  in  determining  such  students  who  will  be  able  to  complete  the  course  in 
flying  training  successfully;  and,  further,  that  by  its  use  the  time  now  required 
for  a student  to  reach  the  solo  stage  will  be  very  much  lessened. 

o0o 

Several  preliminary  contracts  for  the  new  Wheeler  Field  are  nearing  comple- 
tion, and  construction  of  the  new  buildings  will  commence  in  January.  The  new 
Wheeler  Field  promises  to  become  one  of  the  finest  stations  in  the  Air  Corps. 

It  is  located  at  Schofield  Barracks,  Honolulu,  T.H. 

-383- 


7-0102,  A. C. 


HISTORY  0?  THE  14th  PHOTO  SECTION 

The  14tli  Photographic  Section  was  organized  July  16,  1918,  at  Madison 
Barracks,  Hew  York,  under  authority  contained  in  paragraph  2,  Special  Orders, 

No.  112,  Headquarters  Madison  Barracks , New  York. 

On  August  9,  1918,  Second  Lieutenant  E.W.  Snyder  assumed  command  of  the 
Section  under  authority  contained  in  paragraph  4,  Special  Orders  No.  131, 
Headquarters  fedison  Barracks,  New  York,  dated  August  9,  1918. 

The  Section  left  Madison  Barracks , New  York,  August  25,  1918,  and  -pro- 
ceeded to  Hohoken,  New  Jersey,  from  which  port  of  embarkation  it  sailed  on  the 
Transport  "Susquehanna"  on  August  30,  1918.  Arrived  at  Brest  (Finisteers) , 

Prance,  September  12,  1918,  and  marched  to  Postanezen  Barracks,  where  it  re- 
mained until  September  20,  1918.  After  a brief  stop  at  Saint  Maxient  (Deux 
Sevres),  it  arrived  at  Tours  (Endre-ct-Loire)  on  September  25,  1918.  Departed 
on  October  23,  1918,  for  station  at  Colombey-les- Belles  (Meurthe-et-Mos-elle) , . 
arriving  October  26,  1918.  Left  Colombey-les-Belles  and  arrived  at  Bethelainville 
(Meuse)  on  November  5,  1918.  On  November  6,  1918,  the  Section  arrived  at 
Souilly  (Meuse)  where  it  was  attached  to  Headquarters,  Air  Service,  First  Army. 

The  Section  left  Souilly  on  April  9,  1919,  and  on  May  16,  1919,  it  sailed 
from  St.  Nazaire  (Loire  Inferieure)  on  the  Transport  "Santa  Rosa"  and  arrived 
at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  May  30,  1919.  It  was  demobilized  at  Camp  Dix,  New  Jersey, 
June  1,  1919. 

The  Section  is  entitled  to  credit  for  battle  participation  in  the  Meuse- 
Argonne  operation  from  November  6 to  November  11,  1918. 

The  14-th  Photo  Section,  Air  Service,  was  organized  January  23,  1920,  at 
Langley  Field,  Va. , under  authority  contained  in  Special  Orders,  No.  18, 
Headquarters  Langley  Field,  Va. , dated  January  22,  1920. 

During  the  year  1920,  the  Section  was  transferred  from  Langley  Field,  Va. , 
to  Pope  Field,  North  Carolina,  and  from  Pope  Field  to  Mitchel  Field,  Long 
Island,  New  York,  at  which  station  it  has  remained  until  the  present  time. 

In  compliance  with  Circular  No.  25,  War  Department,  1924,  the  14th  Photo- 
graphic Section  (which  was  demobilized  at  Camp  Dix,  New  Jersey,  June  1,  1919), 
was  reconstituted  and  consolidated  with  the  14th  Photo  Section  stationed  at 
Mitchel  Field,  New  York,  the  consolidated  unit  to  retain  the  designation 
"14th  Photo  Section." 

oOo 

FIRST  WASHOUT  OF  P-12C  AIRPLANE 

The  17th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Selfridge  Field,  Mich.,  recently  suffered  its 
first  loss  of  one  of  the  new  P-12C!s,  when  Lieut.  Sterling  met  with  bad  luck  on 
his  cross-country  to  Edgewood  Arsenal.  Lieut.  Sterling  had  been  forced  down 
because  of  weather  on  a Friday  afternoon  while  still  some  miles  short  of  his 
destination.  He  made  the  landing  O.K. , and  decided  to  remain  there  for  the 
night.  The  next  morning  after  the  fog  had  lifted,  he  took  off  but  was  unable 
to  get  over  a mountain  ridge,  so  he  returned  to  the  same  field  he  had  "jhst  left. 

He  made  the  landing  perfectly,  according  to  reports,  and  had  nearly  stopped 
rolling  when  the  tail  skid  seemed  to  hit  a rock,  which  threw  the  ship  on  its 
back.  Lieut.  Sterling  had  the  good  fortune  to  escape  with  nothing  more  than  a 
wrenched  back.  The  ship  was  crated  and  shipped  to  Middletown,  and  Lieut. 

Sterling  was  back  at  Selfridge  Field  Monday  morning,  which  was  very  fast  and 
efficient  work. 

Practically  all  of  the  P-12C’s  of  the  17th  Pursuit  Squadron  have  been 
fitted  with  ball-check  carburetors  which  enables  inverted  flying.  All  officers 
now  delight  in  flying  on  their  back,  doing  slow  rolls  and  in  general  getting  the 
ship  covered  with  oil. 

' <-*•-  oOo 

VOLCANIC  ERUPTION  OBSERVED  FROM  THE  AIR 

Major-General  William  Lassiter,  the  new  Commander  of  the  Hawaiian  Depart- 
ment, inspected  the  18th  Pursuit  G-roup,  Wheeler  Field,  T.H.,  on  November  i7th, 
and  on  the  22nd  flew'  to  Hilo,  Hawaii,  in  the  Transport  C-2,  with  an  18- ship 
escort.  While  in  Hilo,  the  flight  personnel  visited  Halemaumau  Crater,  then 
in  eruption.  "Madame  Pele"  was  putting  on  one  of  her  best  exhibitions.  A 
fountain  of  molten  lava  played  continuously  in  the  bottom  of  the  fire  pit  to  a 
height  of  from  two  to  three  hundred  feet. 

-384- 


V-6102,  A. C. 


PHOTO  SECTION  Comoro  POP  PIHEJtOEX 
By  the  Scoirfc  Pield.  .Correspondent 

While  no-  records  are  claimed,  the  5th  Photo  Section  at-  Scott  Field 
believes  that  the  cost  per  square  mile  of  a recent  project  for  the  Department 
of  Geological  Survey  will  compare  favorably  with  other  projects  of  a similar  « 
nature  that  have  been  done  by  the  Air  Corps  this  year.  The  project  comprised 
about  three  15«minute  quadrangles  in. Missouri  located  just  west-  of  St . Louis, 
and  with  the  Missouri  Diver  as  the  northern  boundary.  The  area  included  was 
about  670.  square  miles  and  .the  total  cost  to  the  Geological  Survey  is  $1,454- 
per  square  mile. 

Hot  only  is  the  5th  Photo  Section  -proud  of  this  cost  record,  but  the 
quality  of ..  the  work  turned  .out  was  exceptionally  good.  In  a recent,  letter 
from  George  0.  .Smith,  Director  of  the  .Geological  Survey,  comment  is  made  on 
this  feature  of  the.  work.  Mr.  Smith,  after  commenting  on  the  fact  that  a • 
check  of  all  the  prints  sent  in  of-  the,  DeGcto  .and  0! Fallon,  quadrangles  in 
Missouri  shows  that  the  work. is  complete,  adds  this  closing  remark  - 

"All  pho bographs . contained  in  both  shipments  are  of  such  fine 

quality  that  it  is  a rjlsaBure  to- so.  inform  you. " 

This  .project  was  flown  by  the  Section  Commander,  2nd  Lieut.  Herman  F. 
Woolard,  with  Master  Sergeant  Wilbur  R.  Rhodes  as  photographer.  The  total  time 
in  the.  air  for  the  project  was  exactly  20  hours,  this  time  being  divided  into 
approximately  four  5-hccur  flights.  The  flights  were  made  at  12,000.  feet,  in 
order  to  get  the  scale  desired,  by  the  Geological  Survey,  and-  only  two  short 
strips  had  to  he  repho to graphed s • .this  work  being  done  in  connection  with  the 
final  day5 s work. 

Two  new  items  of  photographic  equipment  contributed  greatly  to  the  success 
of  this  project,  one  being  the  IF-1  photographic  .plane  and  the  other  the  new 
experimental  ■ type  B«2  altimeter.  ■ With-,  the  new  photographic  plane,  which  enables 
the  pilot  and  his  photographer  to  work  comfortably  inside  a closed  cabin  and  to 
converse  freely  and  keep  in  close  touch  with. each  other,  many  of  the  difficul- 
ties of  former  days  ha tq  been  eliminated.  The  performance  of  this  plane  in  the 
matter  of?  stability  makes  it  far  superior  to  any  other  service  type  airplane 
for  photographic  work.  The  now  altimeter,  while  an  expensive  item  of  equipment, 
seems  to  have  filled  a long  felt  want  for  the  photographic,  teams.  It  was  pos- 
sible to  keep  ah  almost  constant  altitude  with  this  sensitive  instrument  which 
makes  it  possible  for  the  pilot  to  read  his  variations  in  altitude  to  within 
five  feet. 

In  making  flights  on  this  project  of -2,0  miles . in  length.;,  Lieut.  Woolard  was 
able  to  keep  the  altitude  of  the  plane  so  constant  that  the  variation  in  alti- 
tude could  not  be  measured  on  the,  pho to.gr aphv  and- on  many  of.  . the  strips  the 
actual  variation  was  about  20  feet. 

Lieut.  Woolard  believes  that  this  altimeter  is  the  biggest  advance  in  this 
type  of  instrument  that  has  ever  been  made  and. that  it  will,  result  in  an  appre- 
ciable increase  in  the  accuracy  of  photographic  -mapping.. 

—— — oQOr* — — 

&.AIH-HJ3DED  BETTER  HALF 

According  to  reports,  Mrs.  S.  C.  Shankle,  wife  of  Lieut.  "Dutch"  Shankle, 
Operations  Officer  of  Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma,  is  quite  air-minded,  as  evidenced 
by  the  fact "that  she  owns  and  flies  a Lockheed  Sirius  low  wing- monoplane, 
similar  to  the  type  now  used  by  Colonel  Charles  A.  Lindbergh.  Mrs.  Shankle,  it 
is  stated,  learned  to  fly  while  her  husband  was  stationed  at  Boston,  Maas. , as 
Officer  in  Charge  of  Rational  Guard  aviation  activities  in  Hew  England;  also 
that  she  took  further  training  under  her.  husband  at  a private  flying  field. 
Reports  have  it  that  she  owns  two  planes. 

— — oOo — .— 

AIR  CORPS  MERCY  SHIP  STILL  OR- THE  JOB 

Kelly  Field’s  ambulance  ship  was  recently  dispatched  to  Brownsville, Texas, 
to  transport  the  daughter  of  a prominent  banker  and  city  official  of  that  city 
to  San  Antonio  for  treatment  at  one  of  the  local  hospitals.  Twenty  minutes 
after  the  wire  was  received  requesting  aid,  the  ship  took  off,  piloted  by 
Master  Sergeant  Bernard  Wallace,  Air  Cores. 

330- 


V-6102,  A. C 


Ami  TXQI^,_DTITT,T)TNG8  TPQT?  TEXAS  NATIONAL  GUARD.  MR-  NNXT  ^ " 

The  36th  Division  Aviation,  Texas. J3a±iona-L Guard.,  located  at  Houston, 

Texas,  is  pleased  to  announce  that  the  .Houston  Chamber  of  Commerce  has  recent- 
ly acted  favorably  in  securing  for  the  organization  several  additional  "buildings, 
namely,  a photographic  laboratory,  radio  "building,  garage  and  a new  hangar. 

"When  completed,  the  "buildings  available  for  the  36th  Division  Aviation  will 
consist  of  three  hangars,  an  administration  building,  photographic  laboratory, 
radio  building,  five  dwelling  houses,  a storeroom  and  a garage . 

At  Camp  John  A.  Hulen,  'Palacios,  Texas,  where  the  squadron  goes  into  train- 
ing each  summer,  it  has  an  administration  building,  a mess  hall  and  clubroom 
for  the  officer  personnel  and  a similar  one  for  the  enlisted  personnel,  also 
storerooms  and  toilet  facilities.  Good  company  streets  are  laid  out  and  per- 
manent concrete  floors  have  been  laid  for  the  tents. 

— -oCo^ — 

SPEEDING  'UP  CRANKING  OF  AIRPLANE  ENGINES 

Much  interest  is  being  centered  in  a uinque  apparatus,  an  "external  ener- 
gizer," so  called,  just  received' at . the  primary  Plying  School,  Brooks  Field, 

San  Antonio,  Texas,  from  the  Air  Corps  Materiel  Division.  This  energizer  is 
being  used  in  cranking  airplanes  not  equipped  with  electric  starters.  It  at- 
taches directly,  from  an  electric  outlet  installed  on  the  airdrome  (by  the 
same  principle  as  an  electric  iron  is  operated)1  to  the  crank  fitting  of  the 
hand  inertia  starter.  The  energizer  can  be  operated  by  one  man,  and  materially 
accelerates  the  starting  of  a plane  without  the  output-  of  undue  physical  exer- 
tion necessary  with  the  use  of  the  hand  crank. 

The  News  Letter  Correspondent  expresses  the  hope  that  the  new  equipment 
will  prove  of  such  satisfaction  that  the  old  method  of  hand  cranking  can  be 
dispensed  with.-  •— 0O0-— 

94th  PURSUITERS  GATHER  CONSIDERABLE  PLYING  TIME 

The  Scribe  of  the  94th  Pursuit  Squadron,  Self ridge  Field,  submitting  a 
record  of  the  flying  time  of  the  airplanes  assigned  to  that  organization, 
states  that  the  first  of  the  eighteen  t- 12 ! s were  accepted  for  delivery  on 
March  17,  1930,  and  the  last  were  delivered  by  April  30th.  From  March  17th 
to  November  18th,  these  eighteen  planes  were  flown  for  a total  of . 6,433  hours 
and  45  minutes,  making  an  average  of  over  804  hours  per  month  and  an  average 
of  over  50  hours  per  airplane  per  month.  This  time  was  not  flown  by  the  94th 
Squadron  alone,  as  they  furnished  airplanes  for  other  organizations  to  fly, 
but  the  burden  of  maintenance  fell  to  the  lot  of  the  soldiers  of  this  organi- 
zation. 

The  Scribe  is  of  the  opinion  that  this  record  of  flying  time  for  this 
period  will  not  be  exceeded  by  any  Pursuit  organization  in  the  Air  Corps. 

-oOo 

RETIREMENT  OF  TECHNICAL  SERGEANT  WALTER  A.  HAGAR 

In  General  Orders,  No'.  26,  Headquarters , Brooks  Field,  Texas*  ' dated 
November  30,  1930,  is  noted  the  retirement  of  an  Air  Corps  veteran,  Technical 
Sergeant  Walter  A.  Kagar,  of  the  51st  School  Squadron.  Sergeant  Hagar  has 
experienced  a long  and  varied  career,  In  which  he  has  served  with  honor  to 
himself  and  satisfaction  to  the  service.  The  following  commendatory  remarks 
are  incorporated  in  the  above  mentioned  orders ; 

"Technical  Sergeant  Hagar  represents  the.  highest  type  of  soldier.  His 
untiring  energy  and  zeal, in  the  performance  of  his  many  and  varied  duties  has 
been  marked.  Seven  of  the  discharges  which  Technical  Sergeant  Hagar  received 
from  prior  enlistments  in  the  service  are  insctibed  - 'Character  Excellent.'" 

The  Brooks  Field  Correspondent  states  ~ "It  is  with  the  greatest  regret 
that  this  command  bids  Sergeant  Hagar  farewell,  and  he  takes  with  him  the  wish 
that  he  shall  see  many  years  of  prosperity  and  happiness." 

oOo- — 1 

Major  H.H.G.  Richards,  Air  Corps  , has  been  appointed  Assistant • Commandant 
of  the  Air  Corps  Primary  Flying  School  at  Brooks  Field,  Texas. 

-386- 


V-6102,  A.C. 


THE  FIRST.  110%  STOP  SLIGHT  PROM  NSW  PORK  TO  BAHAMA. 

'By  the  Prance  Yield  Correspondent 

Again  Prance  Pield  was  the  scene  of  another  record  flight  when  Captain 
Roy  W.  Anmel  touched  the  wheels  of  his  low-winged  Lockheed  monoplane  "Blue 
Plash"  on  the  Prance  Pield  landing  field,  completing  the  first  non-stop  flight 
on  record  "between  Hew  York  and  Panama.  The  flight  was  made  in  a little  over 
24  hours,  with  the  plane  hacking  a head  wind  that  enabled  Captain  Prank  M. Hawks 
to  break  the  standing  record  between  Havana,  and  Hew  York. 

Of  the  2700  miles  of  flight  between  Barren  Island,  Hew  York,  where  Captain 
Ammel  took  off,  and  Prance  Pield,  1400  miles  over  water,  and  the  pilot  tells  an 
interesting  story  of  his  trip. 

"I  had  an  ungodly  time  getting  off  from  Barren  Island,  but  not  as  hard  a 
time  as  the  newspapers  described.  After  getting  into  the  air,  I found  my 
course  and  passed  over  Washington,  Richmond,  Atlanta,  Jacksonville  and  left  the 
States  at  Miami.  I know  that  I passed  over  Cuba  at  Matanzas,  and  I say  I know 
because  Matanzas  was  the  first  town  that  appeared  clearly  after  I left  the 
coast  of  the  United  States.  I experienced  bad  weather,  including  rains  most  of 
the  way  and  head  winds  all  of  the  way,  from  the  time  I left  Hew  York  until  I 
arrived  at  Prance  Pield.  My  course  should  have  brought  me  over  the  Isle  of 
Pines,  but  the  cLouds  were  so  thick  that  I failed  to  see  the  Isles. 

"Sleepy?"  The  Captain  laughed.  "I  fell  asleep  twice.  One  time  there  was 
no  harm  done.  The  second  time  I awoke  just  in  time  to  clear  a row  of  palm 
trees  somewhere  along  the  Hicaraguan  coast.  Prance  Pield  sure  looked  good." 

Lieut .-Colonel  James  A.  Mars , Major  Edwin  B.  Lyon,  and  other  Air  Corps 
officers  were  on  hand  to  greet  Captain  Ammel  upon  the  termination  of  his  suc- 
cessful flight. 

But  fate  rode  the  wings  of  the  "Blue  Plash."  The  day  of  the  return  flight 
it  was  found  that  the  oil  tank  was  leaking.  Repairs  were  necessary.  Prom  the 
time  of  the  arrival,  the  plane  had  been  in  charge  of  a commercial  organization. 
When  it  was  found  necessary  to  disassemble  the  plane  in  order  to  reach  the 
defective  oil  tank,  the  mechanics  of  the  25th  Bombardment  Squadron,  through 
Lieut.  James  A.  Healy,  pitched  in  and  corrected  the  difficulty. 

After  sixteen  hours1  work,  in  which  the  plane  had  been  completely  dis- 
assembled and  reassembled,  Captain  Ammel  took  off  for  Anton  where  he  was  to 
take  on  his  supply  of  gasoline  and  oil  for  the  return  trip  to  the  States. 

The  motor  reved  to  satisfaction,  the  blocks  pulled  and  the  "Blue  Plash" 
was  off,  carrying  Captain  Ammel,  710  gallons  of  gasoline,  forty  gallons  of  oil 
and  the  luck  that  brought  him  down  here  - but  - on  the  take-off  the  plane  ap- 
peared to  lack  rudder  surface  inasmuch  as  it  swayed  from  side  to  side.  About 
the  time  the  ship  gained  flying  speed  and  was  under  control,  a mud  hole  loomed 
ahead  which  washed  out  the  right  wheel  of  the  landing  gear.  A cloud  of  dust  - 
and  the  "Blue  Plash"  was  a mass  of  wreckage. 

Master  Sergeant  Tate,  who  had  been  commended  for  his  act  by  Lieut .-Colonel 
Mars,  was  the  first  to  reach  the  plane.  Desnite  the  fact  that  he  was  facing 
the  explosion  of  the  fuel  tanks,  he  tore  away  the  side  of  the  plane  and  rescued 
the  pilot. 

"I  guess  I am  lucky,"  Captain  Ammel  said,  "because  I meant  to  cut  the 
switch,  but  before  I could  do  it,  everything  was  all  over." 

At  Oorgas  Hospital,  Captain  Ammel  v/as  found  to  be  suffering  from  nothing 
more  serious  than  contusions  and  shock.  He  is  planning  the  reconstruction  of 
the  "Blue  Plash"  and  a flight  to  Europe. 

"Plenty  of  stomach,  that  bird  has,"  Mechanic  Hunter  was  heard  to  remark, 
and  Hunter  was  the  one  who  held  him  in  his  arms  during  the  trip  to  the  hospital. 
"Both  he  and  I thought  his  neck  was  broken,  and  all  he  did  was  laugh  and  ask 
for  a cigarette  - but  he  did  squeal  every  time  his  position  was  shifted." 

— .o0o 

HEW  0RGAHI ZATI  OHS  AT 'WHEELER  PIELD,  HAWAII 

With  the  organization  of  the  26th  Attack  Squadron  and  the  75th  Service 
Squadron  in  September,  the  18th  Pursuit  Group,  stationed  at  Wheeler  Pield,  T.H., 
has  become  a four-squadron  outfit.  Old  timers  at  Wheeler  Pield  would  not  recog- 
nize the  place.  The  new  squadrons  are  Quartered  in  framed  tents  at  each  end  of 
the  hangar  line,  with  frame  mess  halls  and  bath  houses.  The  past  month  was  one 
continuous  fatigue  party,  as  all  hands  have  turned  out  to  help  the  new  squadrons 
get  settled. 


-387- 


V-6102 , A. C. 


THE.MA.S.OH  M.,  PATRICK  TROPHY  RACE 
By  Phil  Richardson 

This  year  the  Major  General  Mason  M.  Patrick  Trophy  Race  was  held  at  the 
home  station  of  the  Third  Attack  Group,  Port  Crockett,  Galveston,  Texas.  This 
was  the  first  time  since  its  start  in  1928  that  the  race  has  been  held  at  home. 
The  previous  two  years  it  had  been  a regular  feature  at  the  national  Air  Races. 
Despite  the  improvement  in  planes,  the  s aed  of  140.2  M.P.H.  , attained- by 
Lieut.  Ivan  M.  Palmer  in  1929,  still  holds  the  record  for  this  speed  classic. 
Lieut.  Lawrence  C.  Westley,  90th  Attack  Squadron,  won  this  year’s  race  with  a 
high  average  speed  of  135.6  M.P.H. 

nineteen  pilots  were  chosen  for  this  year's  race,  which  was  held  over  a 
60-mile  course  instead  of  the  regalar  120-mile  course,  in  order  to  reduce  the 
wear  and  tear  on  the  motors.  Accurate  check  later  placed  the  true  distance 
of  the  course  at  54.548  miles. 

The  entire  race  was  clouded  by  the  very  unfortunate  death  of  Lieut.  Al. 

H.  Sooth,  8th  Attack  Squadron,  whose  plane  crashed  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
first  trial  runs  at  Humber  3 pylon  just  after  he  made  the  turn.  Lieut.  Booth's 
passenger,  Private  Ed.  Lev/is,  also  of  the  8th  Squadron,  escaped  without  serious 
injury.  Lieut.  John  B.  Bell  took  Lieut.  Booth's  place  in  the  race. 

The  day  of  the  race,  Hovember  22nd,  dawned  with  a 38-mile  wind  out  of  the 
north,  interspersed  with  dashes  of  cold  rain.  The  two  scheduled  parachute 
jumps  were  called  off,  but  otherwise  the  program  went  on  as  scheduled.  -The 
plane®  from  Kelly  Pield,  Dodd  Eield,  Fort  Sill  and  other  points  arrived  during 
the  morning,  with  the  exception  of  the  Bombers  who  were  unable  to  come  on 
account  of  bad  flying  weather. 

The  crowd  gathered  early  and  was  immediately  attracted  by  various  exhibits 
placed  about  the  hangars.  Without  doubt,  this  display  was  one  of  the  most 
important  affairs  of  the  day.  It  answered  the  questions  of  the  layman  and 
delighted  the  expert  with  its  completeness. 

At  1:30  p.m. , the  Observation  wlanes  cleared  the  airdrome  and  were  immedi- 
ately followed  by  the  Far  suiters.  Coming  behind  them  were  the  Third  Attack 
Group  planes  in  a 27-wlane  formation.  These  events  were  followed  by  exhibitions 
of  formation  flying,  with  honors  for  tight  formation  going  to  the  Observation 
planes. 

As  the  last  event  on  the  program  before  the  race , the  Pursuit  pilots  put 
on  as  daring  an  exhibition  of  stunt  flying  as  has  ever  been  seen  at  Fort 
Crockett  or  points  nearby.  The  three  pilots,  Captain  Joe  Cannon,  Lieuts.  L.S. 
Smith  and  Russell  Keillor  did  everything  but  an  outside  loop  and  an  inverted 
falling  leaf.  They  -probably  would  have  performed  those  two  maneuvers  if  the 
ceiling  had  not-  been  so  low  and  the  surrounding  atmosphere  so  soupy. 

As  the  time  for  the  race  drew  near,  the  Attack  pilots  who  were  not  in  the 
race  separated  from  their  formation  and  landed.  The  remaining  nineteen  planes 
circled  overhead,  maneuvering  to  get  their  correct  position.  They  finaliy  went 
into  a Lufbery  Circle  out  of  which  they  started  for  the  first  pylon,  led  by 
Major  Davenport  Johnson,  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Group  and  one  of  the  parti- 
cipants in  the  race.  They  were  all  at  an  altitude  of  about  500  feet.  When  in 
line  with  the  first  pylon,  Major  Johnson  made  a 180  degree  turn  and  went  into 

a power  dive  straight  for  the  pylon.  As  he  flashed  by  the  timers  caught  him 

and  the  great  race  was  on. 

There  was  a huge  crowd  near  each  pylon,  but  although  they  were  well  out. of 
danger  their  view  was  not  obstructed.  Thrills  galore  were  furnished  the  crowd 
as  two  or  more  planes  would  attempt  a turn  at  the  same  time.  The  dexterity  of 
the  pilots  in  keeping  their  positions  at  such  times  was  amazing.  Just  as  the 

last  plane  thundered  across  the  finish  line  a heavy  rain  began  to  fall. 

A check  of  timers'  watches  revealed  Lieut.  Lawrence  C.  Westley,  90th  Attack 
Squadron,  as  the  winner  with  a high  average  speed  of  135.6  miles  per  hour.  His 
crew  chief  was  Corporal  Harry  Jones.  The  second  best  time  was  135.3  m.p.h. , and 
was  made  by  Lieut.  Carl  E.  Recknagel,  also  of  the  90th  Squadron.  His  passenger 
was  Private  John  York.  Third  place  went  to  Lieut.  Tut  Imlay,  60th  Service  Squad- 
ron, who  had  a high  average  speed  of  135.2  m.p.h.  His  crew  chief  was  Private 
Carl  Sanders. 

That  evening  a banquet  was  held  at  the  Buccaneer  Hotel  in  honor  of  the 
winning  pilots.  The  award  of  the  Major  General  Mason  M.  Patrick  was  made  by 
Major  Davenport  Johnson.  This  Trophy  was  presented  to  the  Third  Attack  Group 
pilots,  to  be  competed  for  each  year  by  the  Group  pilots.  The  Hon.  F.  Trubee 

-388-  “ “ 7-6102,  A. C. 


Davison,  Assi  sbamt-Secpetary  of  War  for  Aeronautics , is  the  donor -of  this 
Trophy  . 

Additional  trophies  were  presented  by  the  Service  Dews  and  the  Houston 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  • Lieut.  Re-cknagel,  ninneivup  in  the  race,  was  presented 
with  a small  silver  trophy  by  the  Houston. .Chamber  of  Commerce,  while  Lieut. 

R.L.  Easton,  who  brought  up  the  rear,  won  the  special  trophy  for  that  place. 

This  honor  was  won  by  Major  John  Ii  . Jouett  last  year  at  Cleveland,  where  he  so 
jealously  guarded  the  rear.  Lieut.  Lest ley  won  additional  honors  when  Major 
Johnson  revealed  that  he  had  chosen  him  prior  to  the  race  for  the  Galveston 
Cup,  given  in  recognition  of  the  most  outstanding 'achievement  in  the  Group 
this  year. 

Besides  'Brigadier- General  Banforth,  the  list,  of  notables  present  at  the 
race  included  Majors  Martin,  Ocker.,  Captains  Cannon, . DeEord, ■ Lieut . Lawson, 
winner  of  the  Mitchell  Trophy  in  1938.,  and  lieutv  .Palmer,  winner  of  the 
Patrick  Trophy  last  year  as  well  as  high  speed  man.  A large  number  of  local 
civic  leaders  and  . their  ladies  attended  the  banquet , . which  was- followed  by  a 
Military  Ball  at  which  Major  Johnson  and  the  Third- Attack  Group  officers  were 
hosts. 

oCo™ 

' SHEEP  SHOOTING-  OH  THE  PACIPIC  COAST 

"It’s  open  season  on  bull  s eyes  I " ..says  the  Rockwell  Pield  Correspondent , and 
he  then  goes  on.  to  say  that  the  sixteen  officers  of  the  11th  Bombardment  Squad- 
ron, who  competed '-.for  honors  during  the  record  -bombing  period  just  finished,  have 
set  a mark  for  other  units  in  the .Air  Cores  to. gaze  upon  with  envy. 

The  highest  score  ana,  incidentally,  the  best  ever  officially  recorded  at 
this  Southern  California  field  .went  to  Lieut-.  Will  Tunner,  with  Lieut.  Wm.  G-roen, 
Jr.,  as  pilot.  The  latter,  by  the  way,  is  a Reserve  officer  on  extended  active 
duty  at  Rockwell  Pield.  Believe . it  or  not , in  the  words  of  our  Correspondent, 
these  invincibles  scored  1946  out- of.  a possible  2,000  uoints.  Lieut.  Howard  G-. 
Bunker  with  Lieut.  James  A.  Ronin-.  (Reserve)  as  chauffeur,  made  an  1887.  Pour 


other  teams  stood  . above  1800,  as  fellows':  • 

Bomber.  Pilot  Score 

2nd  Lt.  Harold  W.  Bowman'  2nd  Lt.  Robert  E.  Urban  1841 

1st  Lt.  Frederick  P.  Benny  2nd  Lt.  Ivan  L.  Parman  1827 

2nd  Lt.  Lloyd  H.  Wat-nee  . ..  2nd  .Lt®  Donald  R.  Lyon  1823 

2nd  Lt.  Wm.  G-roen  (Res.)  . 2nd.Lt.  Tunner  ' 1802 


Two- "possibles"  were  made  at  5,000  feet.  Lieut.  Ivan  L.  Parman,  with 
Lieut.  John  Kenny  as  pilot,  dropped  alb  five  bombs  in  the  circle  for  their  cross- 
wind  record.  -Not  satisfied  mth  a mere  perfect  score,  Lieut.  Urban,  with  Lieut. 
Hal  Bc-wman  at  the  wheel,  putAhls  sighting  shot  and  both  spares. 

The  average  for  the  sixteen, bombing'  teams  in  the  Squadron  was  1743.  Only 
one  team  in  the  Squadron  failed  to  make  the  coveted  "expert"  rating. 

— -oOo— 

THE  BUI LDIIIG-  PROGRAM  - AT  SCOTT  PIELD 

Scott  Pield,  Belleville,  111.,  soon  expects  to  see.  the  beginning  of  the 
building  program.  Thus  far  this  field  has  not  been  on  the  list  for  any  of  the 
building  in  connection  with  the  army'  housing  program,  but  with  the  final  ap- 
proval of  the  layout  for  this  station  and  the  availability  of  money  for  one 
barracks  and  one  set  of  noncommissioned  officers  quarters,  it  is  expected  that 
the  start  will  he  made  soon.  . . Captain  Elehius  Berg,  Quartermaster,  lias  requested 
bids  on  these  two  buildings,  and. they  will  be  opened  on  December  19th.  Provided 
the  bids- comiily  with  the  various  specifications,  it  is  expected  the  contract  can 
he  approved  early  in  January  and  the  actual  work  started  soon  after.  The  first 
barracks  is  to  go  on  the  site’  now  occupied  by  the  Ninth  Airship  Company  barracks, 
and  it  will  be  necessary  to  move  the  company  into  temporary  quarters.  There  is 
only  one  old  barracks  building  available  for  this  purpose  and  that  is  now  being 
used  by  the  5th  Photo  Section  and  the  second,  platoon.'.of  the  15th  Observation 
Squadron,  but  it  is  expected  that  with  a little  crowding  and  the  elimination  of 
day  rooms  the  necessary  room  can  he  found.  Lieut.  TUgene  L.  Lewis,  Q.M. C.,  is 
under  orders  to  report  at  Scott  Pield  and  will  take  over  the  Construction 
Quartermaster  work  upon  his  arrival. 


-389- 


7-5102,  A.C. 


WARRAHT  OFFICER  SCOTT  TO  GO  Oil  RETIRED  LIST  . 

The  many  friend's  of  Warrant  Officer  George  Scott , better  known  as 
"Scotty, " will  be  interested  to  know  that  on  December  1,  1930,  he  went  on 
four  months*  leave  prior  to  retiring  from  active  service  April  1,  1931. 

"Scotty"  is  a well  known  figure  at  Rockwell  Field  and  to  the  Army  Air 
Corps  in  general,  and  many  will  recall  his  warm,  glad  smile  for  old  friends 
as  well  as  new,  and  he  counts  among  his  many  friends  commissioned,  enlisted 
and  civilian  personnel. 

He  enlisted,  in  the  Signal  Corps,.  February,  1901,  and  continued  in  the 
military  service  since  that. time.  On  February  15,  1918,  he  accepted  a com- 
mission as  Captain.,  Air  Service,  and  was  honorably  discharged  December  30, 
1920,  to  accept  appointment  as  a Warrant  Officer.  He  still  holds  his  cohh 
mission  as  Captain,  Air  Corps  Reserve, 

"Scotty"  has  been  a well  known  figure  at  Rockwell  Field  over  ten  years. 
He  first  came  to  that  field  in  December,  1914,  remaining  there  until  1918, 
when  he  was  ordered  to  Washington  for  duty  in  the  Chief’s  office,  remaining 
there  until  1920,  when  he  returned  to  Rockwell  Field.  Since  that  time  he 
has  served  as  Chief  Clerk  of  the  Engineering  Department  of  the  Rockwell  Air 
Depot,  . . 

During  his  "pre- retirement"  period,  Scott  is  living  at  his  residence  at 
121  East  Lewis  Street,  San  Diego,  Calif.,  and  he  will  be  glad  to  see.  any  of 
his  friends  at  any  time. 

The  good  will  and  wishes  of  Rockwell  Field  and  Rockwell  Air  Depot  per- 
sonnel go  with  "Scotty"  and  our  Correspondent  "hopes  that  from  time  to  time 
he  will  pay  us  a visit." 

oOo 

- . ■ AIRMEN  COOPERATE  WITH  CAVALRYMEH 

The  16th  Observation  Squadron,  Marshall  Field,.  Fort  Riley,  Kansas, 
cooperating  with  the  Cavalrymen  at  that  post  ,,  have  been  carrying  out  some 
very  interesting  problems.  Recently,  three. xilanes  from  this  Squadron  were 
in  the  air,  cooperating  with  the  Artillery  and  Cavalry.  The  purpose  of 
the  problem  was  to. determine  the  effect  of  aircraft  fire  on  advancing 
Cavalry  troops.  Some  very  interesting  data  was  obtained  from  this  problem. 

oOo— 

TRAIHIHG  AT  CRISSY  FIELD,  CALIF. 

Training  season  at  Crissy  Field,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Calif., 
opened  on  October  6th,  with  Lieut.  J.C.  Upston,  the  Field  Operations 
Officer,  in  charge,  and. with  an. attendance  of  30  officers. 

The  training  consists  of  tactical  missions  in  the  morning  and  ground 
school  in  the  afternoon.  The  man  hours,  on  tactical  and  cooperative  mis- 
sions since  the  training  has  begun  are  over  3,000,  of  which  250  hours  are 
night  flying,  constituting  searchlight  tracking  and  night  formations.  The 
missions  consist  of  coast  patrol  flying,  which . extends  up  arid  down  the 
coast  from  Crissy  Field  approximately  200  miles.  The  planes  are  equipped 
with  radio,  and  two-way  communication  is  almost. continuous  during  the  entire 
period  of  each  mission.  . The  distance  the  personnel  were  able,  to  reach  thus 
far  this  year  is  350  miles,  which  was  made  during  a test  by  Lieut s.  Brown 
and  Smith  of  the  91st  Observation  Squadron.  Communication  was  established 
at  a point  between  Bakersfield,  .Calif.,  and  Los  Angeles,  Calif.,  which 
measured  on  the.  map  from  Crissy  Field  a distance  of  350  miles.  Messages 
were  sent  and  received  during  the  rest  of  the  trip  from  this  point.  It  is 
believed  by  Lieut.  Smith  that  he  can  still  reach  a greater  range  with  favor- 
able atmospheric  conditions. 

All  of  the  Observation  planes  on  these  missions  were  also  equipped  with 
cameras,  so  that  the  observers  might  familiarize  themselves  with  the  opera- 
tions of  the  new  types  of  cameras  that  are  being  produced  for  the  various 
types  of  photography.  Up  to  the  present  ...time  the  Crissy  Field  airmen  have 
taken  325  obliques,  85  pin-points  and  23  reconnaissance  s trips.  ■ ■ 

Two  ground  school  courses  were . comple ted  up  to  this  time.  The  first 
course  was  military  law,  with  Captain  Kraus  as  instructor.  "He  was  such 
a thorough  instructor,"  says  the  Crissy  Field  Correspondent,  "that  some  of 
us  thick-headed  ones  even  got  through  the  course."  The  course  was  brought  to 

-390-  V-6102,  A.C. 


a climax  by  a mock  trial  in  which  Lieut.  Kirby  was  brought  to  trial  with 
several  charges.  Heedless  to  say,  he  was  found  guilty  of  all  charges  and 
was  given  the  maximum  sentence  in  each  case.  Lieut.  E.B.  Bobzieh  gave  the 
photographic  course,  and  he  insists  that  all  of  the  students  by  this  time 
are  experts.  The  course  was  divided  into  two  parts;  first,  the  practical 
operation  of  cameras;  and  the  second  comprised  several  hours  on  the  making 
of  mosaic  maps. 

Continuing  throughout  the  period  of  the  school  is  also  a very  intensive 
course  in  radio;  that  is,  all  of  those  who  are  attending  the  classes  think 
it  is  pretty  stiff,  because  every  time  the  students  see  Lieut.  Smith  he 
seems  to  have  some  new  sort  of  diagram  and  insists  on  explaining  it.  All 
of  the  members  of  the  class  at  the  present  time  are  able  to  send  and  receive 
from  15  to  20  words  a minute,  and  Lieut.  Smith  seems  to  be  very  much  satis- 
fied with  the  results  - that  is,  so  far;  no  one  having  any  idea  as  to  what 

he  will  next  spring  on  the  class. 

0O0 

GOOD  SHOOTING  BY  PURSUI TERS  III  HAWAII 

The  18th  Pursuit  Group,  stationed  at  Wheeler  Field,  Schofield  Barracks, 
T.H. , recently  completed  its  gunnery  course,  and,  out  of  25  officers  firing, 
20  qualified  as  Experts.  Lieut.  Hoyt  S.  Yandenberg  was  first  with  1276, 
followed  by  Lieut.  Reuben  C.  Moffat  with  1257.  The  flying  time  of  the  Group 

for  October  - 670  hours  - set  a new  high  mark  for  Wheeler  Field.  When  the 

26th  Attack  Squadron  becomes  officered,  it  is  exnected  that  this  flying  time 
will  be  largely  increased. 

oOo 

WAS  DEPARTMENT  ORDERS  AFFECTING  AIR  CORPS  OFFICERS 

Changes  of  Station:  1st  Lieut.  Charles  A.  Horn,  upon  completion  of  tour 
of  duty  in  Panama,  to  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  for  duty  as  Instructor,  Ark.  N.G. 

1st  Lieut.  James  M.  Fitzmaufice,  upon  completion  of  tour  of  duty  in 
Panama,  to  Air  Corps  Training  Center,  Duncan  Field,  Texas. 

Captain  Arthur  W.  Brock  from  Philippines  to  Office  Chief  of  Air  Corps. 

Reserve  Officers  ordered  to  extended  active  duty  to  June  50,  1951  - 

To  Fort  Crockett.  Texas;  2nd  Lieut s.  Paul  Waterman,  of  San  Antonio,  from 
Dec.  2nd;  Frank  B.  Stuart,  San  Antonio , from  Jan.  2nd  - To  Maxwell  Field, 

Ala. ; 2nd  Lieuts.  Wilmer  E.  Hall,  Florence,  Ala.,  from  January  4th;  Albert 
I.  Patrick,  Mobile,  Ala. , from  January  2nd  - To  Rockwell  Field,  Calif.;  2nd 
Lieuts.  Wm.  Marion  Campbell,  Marion,  Kansas,  from  Feb.  2nd;  Egbert  C.  Cook, 
Hollywood,  Calif.,  from  Jan.  25th;  Dan  Me Grew  Medler,  Seattle,  Wash.,  from 
Dec.  22th;  Otis  B.  Crawford,  San  Fernando,  Calif.,  from  Jan.  16th;  - To 
Pone  Field,  N.C.;  2nd  Lieuts.  Charles  F.  Carter,  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  from 
Jan.  4th;  W.  Hill  Snyder,  Columbia,  S.C.,  from  Jan.  4th  - To  Langley  Field: 
2nd  Lieut.  James  Nathan  Peyton,  Sheridan,  111.,  from  Feb.  2nd  - To  Selfridge 
Field:  2nd  Lieuts.  Murl  Estes,  Logan,  Mo.,  from  Jan.  2nd;  Charles  F.  Scott, 
Jr.,  Farnangdale,  L.I.,  N.Y.,  from  Jan.  2nd;  To  Dodd  Field,  Texas:  2nd  Lieut. 
Everett  L.  Edmondson,  Chicago,  111.,  from  Jan.  2nd  ~ To  Selfridge  Field, 

(From  Jan.  2 to  May  15,  1931):  2nd  Lieut.  Sheldon  B.  Yoder,  Almont , Mich. 

Relieved  from  detail  to  the  Air  Corns;  2nd  Lieut.  Winfield  W.  Sisson 
to  3rd  Field  Artillery,  Fort  Benjamin  Harrison,  Ind. 

2nd  Lieut.  Arthur  C.  Peterson  to  62nd  Coast  Artillery,  Fort  Totten,  N.Y. 

Resignation:  2nd  Lieut.  Robert  Lyle  Brookings. 

Promotions:  To  rank  from  December  1,  1930  - To  grade  of  Cantain,-  1st 
Lieuts.  Isaiah  Davies,  Arthur  W.  Yanaman,  Franklin  0.  Carroll,  Frederick  W. 
Evans;  To  1st  Lieut.:  2nd  Lieut.  Clifford  P.  Bradley. 

c0o« — 

PHOTOMETRIC  TUNNEL  AT  WRIGHT  FIELD 

A photometric  tunnel  is  in  the  course  of  construction  at  the  Materiel 
Division,  Wright  Field,  0.  When  completed  it  will  be  250  feet  long,  dust 
proof,  and  will  use  the  most  modern  Photometric  equipment  available.  A 
Curtiss  hydraulic  lift  is  being  installed  to  carry  any  lights,  from  the  smal- 
lest landing  light  to  the  large  landing  field  floodlights.  This  tunnel  will 
be  completed  by  approximately  January  1,  1931. 

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Y-6102,  A. C. 


THE  RETORT  COURTEOUS 


The  flying  mission  had  been  a complete  "flop,”  and  the  pilot  was  in  no 
happy  frame  of  mind.  Whirling  around  and  s hairing  his  fist  at  the  occupant  of 
the  rear  seat,  he  snarled:  "What’s  ’'dumber  than  a dumb  observer?" 


"A  smart  pilot,"  returned  the  observer,  sweetly. 

_ — ,q(jo — - 

COLONEL  CLAGETT  MAKES  SUCCESSFUL  BLIND  FLYING  TRIP 

Lieut '.-Colonel  H-B.  Clagett , Commanding  Officer  of  the  Primary  Plying  School, 
Brooks  Pield,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  recently  accomplished  successfully  his  first 
"blind  flying"  bombing  mission,  when  he  flew  to  Campbellton,  Texas,  a distance  of 
about  35  miles  from  Brooks  Field,  and  returned. 

Colonel  Clagett  had  made  the  requisite  preparations  for  the  trip  by  first,  , 
having  charted  his  course  according  to  navigation  principles  and,  although  accom- 
panied by  h'Hsafoty  pilot"  - Li  out . S.A.  Gilkey,  of-  Brooks  Pield  - proved  himself 
so  adopt  in  the  now  venture  that  ho  performed  his  mission  entirely  unaided  either 
by  his  pilot  or  by  radio  controlling  devices  in  the  piano. 

A "blind  flying"  .bombing  mission,  ono  performed  by  tho  pilot  while  under  the 
customary  "covered  hood,"  is  explained  by  Lieut.  Carl  Crane,  director  of  tho  now 
method  of  flying  at  Brooks  Pield,  to  be  a bombing  mission  accomplished  in 
weather  conditions  approaching  dense  fogs  or  low  visibility. 

oOo — 

GERMAN  OFFICER  FIGURES  IE  LONG  CROSS-COUNTRY  TRIP 

Lieut.  Lewis  A,  Dayton,  Adjutant  of  Brooks  Field,  Texas  , and  Captain  Gerd 
con  Massow,  of  tho  German  Army , a student  in  tho  Air  Corps  Primary  Flying  School, 
recently  returned  from  a delightful  trip  to  Santa  Monica,  Calif. , where  Lieut. 
Dayton  procured  a 3T-23  airplane  for  Brooks  Field.  Captain  von  Massow  was  Lieut. 
Dayton" s passenger.  It  may  be  stated  in  passing  that  during  the  Captain’s  visit 
in  Hollywood,  Calif.,  about  three-fourths  of  the  place  burned  to  the  ground. 

- — oOo- — 

Captain  Morris  Berman  recently  repotted  at  the  Primary  Flying  School  at 
Brooks  Field  and  was  appointed  Supply  Officer  of  the  11th  School  Group,  relieving 
1st  Lieut.  O.L.  Rogers,  who  is  now  commanding  officer  of  ithe  newly  organized 
58th  Service  Squadron. 


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V~6102,A.C. 


CADET  DOINGS  AT  THE  SHOCKS  FIELD  FLYING  SCHOOL  . 

By-  the  Brooks  Field  Correspondent 

Any  officer  who  has  achieved  his  commission  by  the  road  through  Brooks 
Field  will  be  inclined  to  agree  that  there  is  no  more  outrageoiis  nlayground  of 
rumor  than  the  Cadet  barracks.  Commonly  termed  "barracks  flying",  unfounded  spec- 
ulation runs  rampant , and  through  reprtition  and  conviction  often  takes  on  some 
color  of  authority.  Prior  to  last  week,  the  rumors  causing  really  major  discus- 
sion among  the  Cadets  were  those  concerning  Christmas  vacation,  and  those  con- 
cerning the  so-called  new  policy  in  regard  to  flying.  No  Cadet  knew  anything 
about  either,  but  it  was  heatedly  and  variously  declared  that  we  would  have  two 
weeks’  vacation  at  Christmas;  that  we  would  have  four  days;  and  that  we  would 
have  one  hour  off  for  Christmas  dinner.  As  to  the  "new  flying  -policy,"  the 
settled  Cadet  conviction  was  apparently  that  "washouts"  would  henceforth  be  ex- 
ceptional. Last  week,  however,  successfully  quashed  both  rumors.  It  was  an- 
nounced that  the  Cadets  would  be  allowed  to  absent  themselves  from  the  Post  for 
nine  days,  granting  that  the  weather  continues  at  least  reasonably  fair  between 
now  and  the  24th  of  December,  on  which  date  the  vacation  starts  - and,  approxi- 
mately sixteen  Cadets,  including  both  classes,  met  the  Faculty  Board  and  were 
eliminated. 

Speaking  of  rumors,  last  week  saw  at  least  a mild  agitation  concerning  a new 
proposed  Cadet  Annual.  Credit  for  the  idea  goes  to  Upper  Class  Cadet  Ben 
Thompson,  who  has  even  gone  so  far  as  to  interview  some  friendly  business  experts 
on  the  possibility  of  advertising,  if  the  Annual  should  receive  official  approval 
and  ever  reach  the  stage  of  actuality.  Apparently  there  have  been  Annuals  in  the 
past.  Your  Correspondent  lias  seen  three  of  them  issued  by  former  Cadets,  one 
quite  an  inpress ive  volume,  and  another  - its  -predecessor  - an  average-sized  one 
as  such  things  go.  The  third  was  a very  thin  Annual,  indeed.  As  a matter  of 
fact.  Cadet  -projects  of  this  nature  can  scarcely  be  called  Annuals  at  all.  Here- 
tofore they  have  generally  been  issued  semi-annually , and  in  one  year  there  were 
even  three,  although  ..the  advertisers  almost  broke  down  at  this  point.  Inasmuch 
as  Boh  Robinson’s  "Kaydet"  is  practically  the  sole  summary- of  Cadet  activities  at 
this  time,  opinion  around  the  barracks  last  week  was  at  least  tentatively  in 
favor  of  the  proposed  "Annual." 


Cadets,  no  less  than  Napoleon’s  Army,  live  to  a certain  extent  for  their 
stomachs,  hence  the  new  Mess  Sergeant  - Alexander  by  name  - has  assumed  a position 
of  no  mean  importance.  He  replaces  Sergeant  Morris,  who  had  worked  the  meals  up 
to  such  a peak  of  profuseness  and  savor  as  to  even  capture  the  approval  of 
Cadets’  mothers.  Sergeant  Morris  is  now  in  charge  of  the  Supply  Room.  Sergeant 
Hagan,  the  famed  "Eagle-Eye,"  whpsfe  position  Sergeant  Morris  now.  fills,  has  secur- 
ed a seventy-five  day  furlough  and  departed  for  some  distant  part  or  other  where 
he  is  at  least  temporarily  secure  from  Cadet  demands. 

Coincident  with  the  departure  of  "Eagle  Eye,"  however.  Cadets  were  insisting 
upon  the  truth  of  an  anecdote  concerning  that-  very  gentleman.  Apparently  it  has 
often,  been  said  in  Eagle  Eiye's"  behalf  that,  though  his  mien  may  be  forbidding 
and  his  approach  upon  life  somewhat  suspicious,  at  heart  he  has,  and  has  always 
had,  something  approaching  affection  for  Cadets,-  for  all  Cadets,  past  and  present 
just  because  of  their  Cadet  status.  An  officer  who  graduated  from  Brooks  and 
Kelly  a number  of  years  ago  happened  to  overhear  a number  of  Cadets  pay  the  above 
tribute,  and  suggested  that  one  of  the  Cadets  mention,  in  front  of  "Eagle  Eye," 
that  he  - the  officer  referred  to  - was  to  be  the  next  officer  in  charge  of 
supplies.  This  was  to  be  a sox-t  of  test  for  "Eagle  Eye,s"  soft  heart  and  forgivin. 
nature.  At  any  rate,  the  officer’s  suggestion  was  carried  out,  and  the  result  was 
said  to  indicate  that  "Eagle  Eye's"  affection  for  all  Cadets,  like  the  reports  of 
Mark  Twain’s  death,  has  been  greatly  exaggerated. 

Upper-Class  Cadets,  one  day  last  week,  looked  with  an  appraising  eye  at  a 
rather  strong,  gusty  northwest  wind  which  would,  and  did,  necessitate  their  landin; 
cross-wind  in  order  to  keep  parallel  to  the  hangar  line.  There  were  no  mishaps 
tlxat  day  on  B-stage.  On  A- stage,  however,  the  gods  seemed  to  conspire  against 
lower- classmen,  already  silently  fearful  of  twenty-hour  checks.  PT’s  landed  con- 
tinually in  a series  of  graceful  leaps  and  hounds;  one  hit  a fence,  another  turned 
over  in  the  south  corner  of  the  field,  a Fleet  ended  up  inverted  in  front  of  the 

-393-  V-6102 , A. C. 


hangar  line.  Kratky,  Witter,  Campbell,  Valentine  and  Mays  are  said  to  have  been 
the  lower  classmen  recently  guilty  of  landing  in  what  might  be  termed  an 'unortho- 
dox manner.  From  B- stage  the  spectacle  of  P-T  and  Fleet  tails  going  over  and  the 
result  disappearing  behind  a knoll. is  really  something  worth  while.  Upper  class- 
men  just  can  hardly  wait  for  another 'windy  day.  : . 

■ — -0O0— 

A SPOKESMENS  PARADISE  ' 

■ Matagorda  Island,  leased  by  the  Government  to  Brooks  Field,  is  quite  the 
most  popular  place  visited  by  officers  from  that  field.  The  reason  is  easily 
apparent,  since  the  Island  approaches  the  ideal  as  a perfect,  sportsman’s  para- 
dise, offering  a plentitude  of  debr  and  wild  duck  in  season,  ana  mackerel,  red 
fish,  trout,  tarpon  and  other  good  fishing  almost  the  entire  year  round.  Wolves 
run  rampant  .on  the  Island,  and  Lieut.  G-  R.  Atkinson,  of  Brooks  Field,  and  others 
proudly  display  photographs  of. giant  sharks  which  have  formed  a part  of  their 
"catches." 

The  Island,  up  until  a few  years  ago,  was  utilized  by  the  United  States 
Coast  Guard  Service,  and  the  station  proper,  a picturesque  wooden  two-storied 
building,  is  almost  completely  surrounded  by  great  hills  of  blown  sand.  This 
and  a lighthouse  still  in  operation  by  the  Service,  are  the  sole  structures  on 
the  Island. 

The  weather-beaten  lodge,  according  to  Lieut.  3. A.  Bridget,  gives  little 
exterior  indication  of  the  "solid  comforts"  obtainable  within,  such  as.  a fine 
kitchen,  good  cooks  and  plenty  to  eat.  The  upper  story  of  the  house  is  divided 
into  a combination  of  dining  room  and  kitchen,  and  a lounging  and  smoking  com- 
partment, in  which  last  is  the  popular  radio,  and  also  the  not.  quite  so  popular 
billiard  table  - a bequest  of  the  late  tenants  - which,  according  to.  the  off icers , 
to  play  upon  invites  as  much  of  one’s  ingenuity  as  when  attempting  to  demonstrate 
his  skill  in  the  intricacies  of  the  miniature  golf  course.  A generator  lighting 
system  has  been  added,  and  two  watersheds  - rai  water  being  the  only  kind  at 
present  procurable. 

Officers. of  .Brooks  Field  are 'glad  to  share  the  pleasures  of  the  lodge  with 
their  fellow  officers,  and.  traffic' to  the  Island  is  continuous.  Colonel = A .G. 
Fisher,  Air  Officer  of  the  8th  Corps  Area,  and  Major.- William;  C.  Ocker,  of  Kelly 
Field,  were  recent  guests,  and  were  loud  in  their  praises  of  the  excellent  shoot- 
ing, . having  obtained  their  quota  of  birds  before  nine  o’clock  of  the  first 
morning,  they  went  out. 

0O0— * 

. CRASH  VICTIMS  SHOW  IMPROVEMENT. 

The  condition  of  Major  Reginald  Bucat  and  1st  Lieut.  Bernard  S.  Thompson 
has  been  reported  as  'much  improved."  Major  Bucat,  a Medical  officer,  and  Lieut. 
Thompson,  Engineering  Officer,  Kelly  Field,  were  injured  when  the  plane  in  which 
they  were  flying  crashed  at  LaPryor,  Texas,  after  the  motor  had  evidently  cut 
out  and  forced  them  to  land.  In  landing,  they  were  forced  to  alight  on  newly 
plowed  ground,  which  caused  the  plane  to  nose  and  then  skid.  Both  officers  were 
severely  cut  about  the  face  ans  suffered  injuries  to  the  back. 

Lieut.  T.S.  Olds,  Pilot,  with  Major  E.F.  Harrison,  Surgeon,  departed  from 
Kelly  Field  in  the  Ambulance  plane  as  soon  as  the  news  of  the  crash  reached  the 
field.  Lieut.  Olds  was  highly  commended  on  the  excellent  -piloting  of  the 
relief  ship,  as  he  was.  forced  to  land  at  a dangerous  spot  with  nothing  to  aid 
his  landing  in  the  darkness  except  bonfires  the  people  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
accident  had  built  to  guide  the  pilot  to  the  spot. 

0O0 — — 

Readers  ofnbhe  News  Letter  are  informed  that  mimeographed  pamphlets  on  the 
subject  of  "Aerial  Photographic  Activities ' of  the  Army  Air  Corps,"  which  forms 
the  leading  article  in  this  issue  of  the  News  Letter,  are  available  for  dis- 
tribution. Those  desiring  same  should  address  the" Publications  Section  of  the 
Air  Corps  Information  Bivision,  and  should  call  for  U- Stencil  No.  988. 

oOo 

Tne  Editor  bewails  the  fact  that  no  contributions  to  the  News  Letter  have 
been  received  lately  from  Langley  Field,  Chafiute  Field,  Kelly  Field,  Mit  duel 
Field  and  Boston  Airport.  Also,  how  about  some  news  from  Mather  Field? 

Publicity  officers  at  these  stations,  it  is  hoped,  will  turn  over  a new 
leaf  with  the  New  Year. 


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V-6102,  A.C. 


NOTES  FROM  AIR.  CORPS  FIELDS 

18th  Pursuit  Group,  Schofield  Barracks.  T.H.,  Dec,  3.  1930. 

Colonel  Gerald.  C.  Brant,  A.C.,  arrived  Nov.  27th  to  Become  Department  Air 
Officer,  relieving  our  C.O.,  who  has  been  on  that  job  for  four  months,  "in  addi- 
tion, etc."  Major  Wash  was  heard  to  remark  that  "relieving"  was  the  right 
word. 

Commanding  the  newly  organized  26th  Attack  and  75th  Service  Squadrons  are 
Lieuts.  Nathan  F.  Twining  and  George  P.  Tourtellot,  respectively.  Lieut.  Robt. 

H.  Finley  joined  us  from  Luke  Field  and  promptly  became  Group  Adjutant.  Lieut. 
John  H,  Dulligan  was  also  pried  loose  from  Luke  Field  and  is  now  an  enthusiastic 
Pursuiter  in  the  6th  Squadron. 

The  following  officers  joined  the  Group  in  November:  2nd  Lieuts.  George  C. 
Baker,  Theodore  G.  Kershaw,  Jr,,  Weldon  E.  Rhoades,  Don  K.  Sheets  and  William 
R.  Graham.  Two  of  the  old  timers,  Lieuts.  Clarence  E.  Crumrine  and  Reuben  C. 
Moffat,  left  on  the  October  boat. 

Fort  Sill,  Oklahoma,  December  4th. 

Post  Field  was  honored  on  November  24th  by  a visit  from  Maj or- General 
Stephen  0.  Fuqua,  Chief  of  Infantry.  Cawtain  L.P.  Hickey  flew  to  El  Reno,  Okla. , 
to  get  General  Fuqua,  and  was  escorted  by  a three-ship  formation,  piloted  by 
Lieuts.  D.E.  Whitten,  J.  Will  Campbell  and  Joe  C.  Britten. 

On  November  16th,  General  Von  Blomberg,  German  Army , and  Colonel  Von 
Kueblenphal , GermanArmy , made  a short  visit  at  Post  Field.  Major  L.H.  Brereton, 
Commanding  Officer  of  Air  Corps  Troops,  escorted  the  German  celebrities  on  a 
tour  of  the  post,  giving  them  a detailed  explanation  of  the  parachute  department 
which,  presumably,  was  their  chief  interest. 

Parachutes  seem  to  have  taken  on  new  interest  among  both  the  officers  and 
enlisted  men  of  the  88th  Observation  Squadron.  Lieuts.  Douglas  T.  Mitchell, 

H.B.  Fleming,  C.H.  Miller,  L.S.  Wait  and  S.J.  Young,  Privates  J.C,  Boyce  and 
AoL.  Hainlen  made  jumps  this  month.  Lieuts.  D.E.  Whitten  and  J.C.  Britton  are 
scheduled  for  jumps,  but  all  the  rip  cords  have'  been  lost  and  a new  supply  has 
been  requisitioned. 

A flight  of  six  planes  led  by  Major  Brereton  flew  from  this  station  to 
Kelly  Field  to  observe  the  demolition  of  twenty  condemned  airplanes  which  took 
place  at  Camp  Stanley.  The  destruction  of  these  planes  by  demolition  bombs 
dropped  by  the  3rd  Attack  Group  was  postponed,  however,  so  the  flight  returned. 
Four  days  later,  Captain  L.P.  Hickey  led  a flight  of  four  planes,  piloted  by 
Lieuts.  C.E.  Shankle,  Douglas  T.  Mitchell  and  C.H.  Miller  back  to  San  Antonio 
to  witness  the  bombing. 

On  November  21st,  a flight  of  three  planes,  piloted  by  Lieuts.  Richard  I. 
Dugan,  C.H.  Miller  and  H.B.  Fleming,  was  dispatched  from  this  station  to  Fort 
Crockett  to  participate  in  the  demonstration  maneuvers  preceding  the  Lfe-son  M. 
Patrick  Trophy  Race. 

Lieut.  Winfield  S.  Hamlin  flew  to  Bethany,  Oklahoma,  last  week  and  took 
some  very  interesting  pictures  of  the  area  destroyed  by  the  recent  tornado  in 
which  about  twenty  people  were  killed. 

Lieut.  E.F.  Maughan  is  spending  three  months  on  detached  service  in 
Washington,  D.C. 

Lieut.  D.E.  Fnitten  and  Master  Sergeant  C.F.  Colby  spent  four  days  at  Camp 
Wood,  Texas,  on  a hunting  trip.  They  still  maintain  they  were  hunting. 

The  88th  Observation  Squadron  takes  great  -pleasure  in  announcing  to  the 
Air  Corps  the  arrival  of  a promising  new  -pilot  (Ralph  P.  Hickey)  in  the  home  of 
Captain  and  Mrs.  Lawrence  P.  Hickey  on  November  16th.  Those  wishing  cigars  may 
address  their  letters  to  Captain  L.P.  Hickey,  Fort  Sill,  Okla. 

^6th ^Division  Aviation,  Texas  National  Guard,  Houston,  December  5th. 

The  Squadron  was  honored  by  a visit  from  Major  Junius  W,  Jones  from  the 
Inspection  Division,  Office  of  the  Chief  of  the  Air  Coipos,  who  insioected  the 
organization  on  November  23rd.  He  was  assisted  by  Technical  Sergeant  Xura  L. 
Horn.  The  Major  and  the  Sergeant  arrived  in  Houston  on  the  22nd,  coming  from 
New  Orleans.  Shortly  after  noon  on  the  23rd,  after  a busy  morning  inspecting 

- 395  - V-6102 , A. C. 


equipment,  supplies  and  records , they  cleared  for  Fort  Crockett,  Galveston, Tex. 

The  Squadron  was  favored  by  visits  during  the  past  month  from  numerous 
officers,  among  Mibm  was  the  Hon.  David  S.  Ingalls,  Assistant  Secretary  of  the 
Havy  in  charge  of  Aeronautics.  He  was  accompanied  by  Captain  J.H.  Towers  and 
Lieut. -Commander  W C.  Molten,  U.S.H.  They  arrived  on  November  6th  enroute  to. 
the  Pacific  Coast.  While  here,  the  Secretary  made  an  address  to  a distinguish- 
ed gathering  of  citizens. 

Other  officers  who  visited  the  Squadron  during  the  month  were  Lieuts. 

Howard  Moore,  C.G.  Williamson,  G.H.  Beverly  and  E.C.  Bobbins  from  Kelly  Field;  • 
Lieuts.  B.D.  Knapp,  ILL.  Sanders  and  A-  Boyd  from  Brooks  Field;  Major  He  the  r wood 
from  Mather  Field,  Captain  : Muse  from  Maxwell  Field,  Captain  John  Beveridge 
fromBolling  Field,  Lieut.  Westley  from  Fort  Crockett,  and  Lieut.  M.B.  Asp  from 
the  Fairfield  Air  Depot.  • • 

Scott  Field,  Belleville,  111. , December  13th. 

After  a rather  unsatisfactory  football  season,  Scott  Field  athletes  are 
turning  their  attention  to  the  formation  of  a basketball  .team  which  hopes' to- ■ 
bring  back  some  of  the  athletic  prestige  which  is  usually  enjoyed  at  this  sta- 
tion. The  football  team  did  win  its  most  important  game  with  Chanute  Field., 
but  that  \vas  the  only  win  chalked  up,  and  the  refusal  of  Jefferson  Barracks  to 
play  added  a little  satisfaction  . The  basketball  team  seems  to  lave  -prospects 
of  having  a rather  satisfactory  season  despite  the  loss  of  several  of  the  stand- 
bys on  the  team  last  winter.  The  talent  available  from  the  15th  Observation 
Squadron  should  go  a long  way  to  filling  up  any  holes  in  the  lineup,  and  it  is 
hoped  the  team  will  again  carry  off  the  honors  in  the  Army,  Havy  and  Marine 
Corps  League. 

The  Scott  Field  team  will  be  somewhat -delayed  in  its  start  of  the  season, 
as  the  gymnasium  had  to  be  moved  to ' allow- of  an  additional  airplane  .hangar,  and 
the  work  has  not  yet  been  completed.  A small  squad  of  -players  of  known  ability 
have  been  working  out  for  a few  days  in  Belleville  under  the  direction  of  1st 
Lieut.  Fred  A.  Ingalls,  but  until  the  gymnasium  is  completed  it  will-  be  im- 
possible to  have  anything  like  systematic  practice.  The  team  was.  unable  to 
play  its  opening  game  in  the  league  on  the  night  of- December :.12th  with  the  7th 
Battalion  Haval  Reserves,  and  it  is  expected  that  the  games  scheduled  for  Scott 
Field  a week  later  will  have  to  be  transferred  to  Jefferson  Barracks.  If  this 
is  done,  Scott  Field  will  be  host  to  the  league  for  its  three  weekly  games  on 
the  night  of  January  16th.  The  other  teams  in  the  league  are  Battery  "A", 
Missouri  national  Guard;-  138th  Infantry,  Missouri  H.G. ; 35th  Division  Air  Corps, 
Missouri  H.G.;  and  the  6th  Infantry,  Jefferson  Barracks.  It  is  expected  to 
start  the  Post  Basketball  Championship  League  soon  after  the  Christmas  holidays. 

Brooks  Field,  Texas,  December  7th. 

Staff  Sergeant  Herbert  C.  Mitchell  was  at  Brooks  Field  for  a few  hours1 
visit,  having  returned  from  a month’s  furlough  spent  hunting  turkey  and  deer. at 
Center  Point,  in  the  vicinity  of  Kerrville.  The  genial  Sergeant,  in  reciting 
adventures  that  befell  him  during  the  trip,  said  that  on  one  occasion  when  over- 
taken by -rain,  his  car  became  imbedded  in  mud,  and  he  was  -forced  to  spend  the 
night  in  the  hills  with  a goat  herd.  Another  guest,  -perforce,  joined  the  party, 
he  having  attempted  to  pull  Sergeant  Mitchell’s  car  from  the  sinkholes  and  him- 
self was  caught.  Sergeant  Mitchell,  still  with  another -month’ s furlough,  left 
for  Houston -where  he  expects  to  try  his  luck,  this  time. at.  duck  shooting.  ' 

Colonel  H.B.  Clagett,  Major  ‘H.-H  ,C . Richards , Lieuts.  Lewis  A.  Dayton  and 
A.E.  Waller,  of  Brooks  Field,  and  Lieut.  Vanaraan,  of  Dayton,.  Ohio,  formed  a 
party  that  flew  to  Eagle  Pass  and  vicinity  on  Hovember  26th. 

Marshall  Field,  Fort  Riley,  Kansas,  December  3rd. 

Lieuts.  Meyer,  Wright  and  Holland,  of  the  16th  Ob's.  Squadron,  left  for 
Chicago  to  attend  the  Army-Hot re  Dame  football  game  at  Soldiers  Field. on  Hov. 
28th.  They  were  accompanied  by  Captains  Berg,  McDonald  and  Lieut.  Ketchum  of 
the  Cavalry.  It  was  a terrible  day  for  the  game,  but  they. say  it  was  well  worth 
the  discomfort  they  were  caused. 

The  16th  Observation  Squadron  is  scheduled  to  receive  a tri-motored  trans- 
port in  exchange  for  their  old  Douglas  C-l-C. 

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V-6103,  A;-C. 


Lieut  s.  Blackburn,  L.R.  Brownfield,  Wagner  and  Sherwood  left  here  Bov. 

27th  for  the  Fairfield  Air  Depot  to  ferry  hack  four  Douglas  0-25A’s. 

Lieut.  Hayden  Bears  is  instructing,  a class  in  riding.  Four  afternoons  a 
week  the  Air  Corps  officers  spend  an  hour  on  the  hacks  of  horses. 

Lieut.  Sam  Cheyney  flew  to  Denver,  Colo,  on  November  17th.  Poor  weather 
conditions  delayed  his  return  until  Nov.  20th. 

Lieut.  Victor  Beau,  enroute  to  Denver,  Colo.  , flying  a Douglas  02-H, 
stopped  overnight  at  this  station  Nov.  24th,  and  left  the  following  morning. 

Major  and  Mrs.  Goolrick  entertained  the  officers  and  ladies  of  the  Air 
Corps  at  dinner  on  Nov.  26th.. 

The  16th  Observation  Squadron  served  a Thanks giving  dinner  to  the  officers 
of  the  Air  Corps  and  their  families. 

Major  Houghland,  Corps  Area  Air  Officer,  Omaha,  Neb.,  visited  this  post 
on  November  24th,  flying  an  0-25A. 

Captain  William  B.  Wright,  of  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  landed  here  Nov.  24th, 
and  returned  to  his  home  station  the  same  day. 

France  Field,  Panama  Canal  Zone,  December  8th. 

Once  again  the  25th  Bombardment  Souadron,  in  the  person  of  Corporal  Jack 
Schwendinger , came  into  the  limelight  a.s  a collector  of  animals.  Jack,  known 
as  "Smoky  Joe,"  was  out  hunting  and  saw  a bird  drop  exhausted  on  the  beach.  He 
picked  it  up  and  founl  the  bird  had  , leg  tag  bearing  the  number  and  stencil  of 
the  U.S.  Biological  Survey.  He  wrote  them  and  is  still  waiting  to  hear  where 
the  bird  is  from. 

Lieut.  James  A.  Healy  is  now  commanding  officer  of  the  25th  Bombardment 
Squadron.  Formerly  Adjutant  of  the  7th  Observation  Squadron,  he  succeeds  Lt. 
Harold  D,  Smith,  who  assumes  the  .adjutancy  of  the  Squadron. 

Lieut.  Robert  T.  Zane,  Aviation  Advisor  to  Governor  Burgess  of  the  Panama 
Canal,  has  been  at  Managua,  Nicaragua,  where  he  has  been  Conducting  a Depart- 
ment of  Commerce  examination  for  pilots  and  airplane  mechanic  licenses.  He 
has  given  similar  tests  in  several  South  American  capitals. 

Private  Harry  F.  Diehl,  24th  Pursuit . Squadron,  whose  address  was  given  as 
Johannesburg,  Penna. , was  drouned  in  the  Chagres  River  when  he  attempted  to 
recover  a fishing  pole  lost  in  the  stream.  He,  accompanied  by  one  of  his 
squadron  mates,  went  into  the  fast  moving  stream  to  recover  the  pole  after  its 
owner,  having  fallen  in  the  stream,  cast  it  aside  to  save  his  own  life.  Diehl’s 
companion  was  saved  with  difficulty,  and  Diehl  would  have  been  saved  had  he 
been  able  to  stay  afloat  for  a matter  of  minutes.  Friends  of  his,  headed  by 
Corporal  Crawford  and  Coruoral  McCarson,  maintained  a sixteen  hour  vigil  until 
the  body  was  recovered. 

It  is  beginning  to  appear  as  if  the  dry  season  will  soon  be  with  us,  and 
all  organizations  are  preparing  themselves  for  maneuver  period. 

The  following  changes  in  commissioned  personnel  recently  took  place: 
Captain  Rowland,  QMC,  to  Holabird,  Md. ; Lieut.  Ward  F.  Robinson,  A.C.,  to 
Mitchel  Field,  N.Y. 

The  following  changes  in  enlisted  personnel  have  taken  place: 

From  Fra.nce  Field  to  other  stations: 

From  24th  Pursuit  Squadron  - Staff  Sergeant  Malone  to  March  Field,  Calif.; 
Technical  Sergeant  Brown  to  Brooks  Field;  Staff  Sergeant  Waytulonis  to 
Rockwell  Field;  From  25th  Bombardment  Squadron  - Staff  Sergeant  Lutes  to 
Crissy  Field;  Staff  Sergeant  Kilmetz  to  Langley  Field;  Staff  Sergeant  Wissel 
to  O.D.  & R,  Depot,  Brooklyn,  N.Y. ; From  the  Band  - Sergeant  Sheldon  to  Kelly 
Field;  Sergeant  Reuter  to  Chanute  Field;  From  63rd  Service  Squadron  - Sergeant 
Knight  to  Brooks  Field;  Staff  Sergeant  Gilmore  to  Kelly  Field;  Master  Sergeant 
Cote  to  Brooks  Field;  From  12th  Photo  Section  - Staff  Sergeant  Crow  to  Scott 
Field,  111.;  From  24th  Pursuit  Souadron  - Master  Sergeant  Williams  to  Kelly 
Field;  From  7th  Souadron  - Master  Sergeant  Redfem  to  March  Field;  From  Head- 
quarters Flight  ~ Sergeant  Roxbury  to  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas. 

To  France  Field  from  other  stations: 

To  2 th  Bomb.  , Squadron:  Sergeant  Coons  from  Kelly  Field,  Texas ;Sgt. 
Olsson  from  Fort  Crockett,  Texas;  Staff  Sergeant  Ramsey  from  Candler  Field; 
to  24th  Pursuit  Squadron  - Staff  Sergeant  Roy  from  Rockwell  Field;  Sergeant 
Dodd  from  Langley  Field;  Sergeant  Finkelstein  from  Mitchel  Field;  to  Band 
Detachment  - Sergeant  Veronneau  from  Chanute  Field,  111.;  Sergeant  Lindsey  from 
Fort  Crockett,  Texas;  Sergeant  Mena  from  Fort  Crockett;  to  Headquarters  - 
Sgt.  Johnson  from  Langley  Field;  Sgt  . Sudyke  from  Dodd  Field,  Texas. 

- 397  - V-6102,A.C. 


Staff  Sergeant  Ramsey  was  appointed.  Technical  Sergeant  and  transferred  to 
the  Panama  Air  Depot,  Prance  Field. 

France  Field  has  long  since  stopped  wondering  where  its.  wandering  pilots 
are.  It  has  reached  the  stage  where  the  wives  of  the  absentees  are  beginning 
to  be  skeptical  whether  it  is  a case  of  non  available  planes  or  a case  of  "The 
States."  Lieut.  Davies  and  Lieut,  A.Y.  Smith  finally  appeared  here  after  a 
protracted  absence,  delivering  two  Sikorskys.  how  that  the  problem  of  flying 
time  is  somewhat  settled  by  the  arrival  of  the  amphibians,  the  field  is  still 
looking  forward  to  the  delivery  of  the  new  O-lS’s  and  new  Bombers. 

Third  Attack  Group,'.  Fort  Crockett,  Texas,  December  15th, 

[The  Fort  Crockett  Flyers  were  eliminated  from  the  8th  Corps  Area  Football 
Tournament,  suffering  defeat  at  the  hands. of  the  Fort  Sill  eveien  on  December 
7th  at  the  Fort  Sam  Houston  Field  by  the  score  of  27  to  13.  Although  the 
Flyers  lost,  they  played  the  best  game  of  their  season.  Handicapped  by  a 
small  group  of  reserves  and  lack  of  weight,  the  Flyers  were  no  match  for  the 
Red  Legs,  who  had  a squad  of  64  men  and. an  extra  heavy  line.  The  score  at  the 
half  was  20  to  0,  but  this  did  not  daunt  the  former  champions,  as  they  came 
back  to  make  two  touchdowns  by  the  aerial  route. 

The  sting  of  such  a defeat  was  lessened  when  the  team  received  news  of 
the  Kelly  Field  triumph  over  the. -Red  Legs.  It  looks  as  though  the  Trophy  will 
remain  in  the  Air  Corps  for  another  year. 

The  Flyers  feel  that  they  have  had  a fairly  good  season,  desuite  the  loss 
of  the  Corps  Area  championship,  for  they  defeated  the  Dr.  Peppers,  their  dead- 
liest rivals,  by  a score  of  13  to  7,  and  ended  the  season  with  the  two  other 
Galveston  teams  in  a three  way  tie  for  the  city  championship. 

A game  with  a City  All-Star  team  is  scheduled  for  December  21st,  the  pro- 
ceeds thereof  to  be  turned  over  to  charity. 

The  basketball  season  has  already  begun  here.  A Post  team  was  entered  in 
the  City  League  and  is  making  good  progress.  The  two  games  played  thus  far 
resulted  in  victories. 

Lieut.  John  H.  Fite  was  transferred  from  Fort  Crockett  to  March  Field. 

Lieut.  Fite  was  formerly  Personnel  Adjutant  at  Fort  Crockett- and  was  active 
in  all  athletics.  Rumor  has-,  it  that  an  affaire  a1  amour  called  him  West.  The 
Third  Attack  Group  wishes  him  cloudless  skies  and  happy  landings  in  his  new 
home . 

Mrs.  Davenport  Johnson,  wife  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  returned  to  Fort 
Crockett  after  a long  stay-  with  relatives  in  Europe. 

Lieut.  Marion  Dixcon,  Air  Reserve,  pilot,  with  Hal  Roach,  of  the  Roach 
Comedy  Studios;  Miss  Helen  Morgan,  and  Arthur  Loew,  of  the  Metro- Goldwyn- Mayer 
Picture  Corporation,  were  the  guests  of  officers  of  Fort  Crockett  on  December 
15th.  They. made  a brief  stop  at  Galveston  enroute  to  Mexico  City  for  the 
selection  of  a suitable  site  for  the  filming  of  "Conchista,"  in  which  Miss 
Morgan  will  star. 

San  Antonio  Air  Denot,  Duncan  Field,  Texas,  December  2nd. 

Major  A.W.  Robins,  Commanding  Officer;  Captain  C.E.  Branshaw,  Chief  Engin- 
eer Officer;  Lieut,.  L.S.  Webster,  Station  Supply  Officer,  and  Lieut.  C.E  .Thomas , 
Jr.,  Depot  Supply  Officer,  attended  the  annual  Engineering  and  Supply  Confer- 
ence held  at  the  Materiel  Division  at  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio.,  Dec.  1st  to 
5th. 

Lieut.  A.W.  Vanaman,  of  the  Materiel  Division,  Wright  Field,  drop-ped  in  for 
a pleasant  informal  visit  at  this  Depot  on  November  13th,  while  on  a hunting 
trip  in  this  vicinity.  Lieut.  Vanaman  was  formerly  Chief  Engineer  at  this  Depot. 

Lieut.  Myron  R.  Wood,  of  the  Office  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  while  at  Kelly 
Field  recently  in  connection  with  a forced  landing  at  Austin,  Texas,  of  a P-12C, 
which  he  was  ferrying  from  Seattle,  Wash. , to  Langley  Field,  Va. , paid  a brief 
informal  visit  to  the  Depot  on  2Jov.  14th,  and  was  greeted  by  his  old  friends 
here.  Lieut.  Wood  was  Depot  Supply  Officer  here  some  years  ago. 

Lieut.  Milo  McCune , of  Langley  Field,  Va. , stopped  over  at  this  Depot  on 
-:OV.  14th-15th,  en  route  ferrying  a.  P-12C  from  Seattle  to  his  home  station. 

Captain  Wm.  K.  Ennis,  of  the  35th  Division  Aviation,  Texas  Rational  Guard, 
at  Houston,  was  a visitor  at  the  Depot-  Hovember  14th.  and  15th,  having  ferried  in 
an  02-H  plane  of  that  organization  for  remain. 

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V-6102,A.C. 


Captain  Dudley  B.  Howard,  while  on  leave  of  absence  and  en  route  from 
March  Field,  Calif.,  to  his  new  station,  Wright  Field,  Ohio,  was  a visitor  at 
this  Depot  the  latter  part  of  November  with  his  family  as  the  guest  of  Lieut. 

A.S.  Albro  and  family. 

Major  J.H.  Pirie,  of  the  Office  Chief  of  the  Air  Corps,  afforded  this 
Depot  the  pleasure  of  an  informal  visit  on  December  1st  while  in  this  vicinity. 
Major  Pirie  was  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Depot  in  1925  and  1927. 

Mr.  Albert  Jarvis,  of  the  Curtis s-Wright  Corporation,  Paterson,  N.J. , ar- 
riving in  San  Antonio  for  a stay  of  some  months  an  the  general  service  represen- 
tative of  that  corporation  for  military  aviation  activities  in  this  territory, 
called  at  this  Depot  on  December  1st . 

Lieuts.  E.V,  Harbeck  and  A.S.  Albro  rejoined  this  Depot  on  December  1st 
from  an  extended  cross-country  flight,  ferrying  t^o  P-12C4 s from  the  Boeing 
Airplane  Company1 s factory  at  Seattle,  Wash.,  to  Langley  Field,  Va. , and  ferrying 
two  P-1  planes  from  the  latter  field  to  Kelly  Field.  They  reported  nothing  un- 
toward on  this  flight  except  some  degree  of  weather  at  the  beginning  and  at  the 
ending  of  the  trip. 

Selfridge  ^ield,  Mt  . Clemens,  I.Iich.  , December  1. 

During  November,  - Major  Brower  and  Lieut.  Griffith  spent  a week  in  Dayton  as 
a member  of  the  Pursuit  3oara  in  session  there. 

Major  Brett,  Post  Commander,  made  a cross- country  flight  to  Fort  Leaven- 
worth during  November. 

94th  Pursuit  Squadron;  November  23rd  saw  the  start  of  the  westward  trek 
of  the  old  P-12B!s,  which  are  being  transferred  to  Rockwell  Field,  [three  pilots 
from  Selfridge  Field  started  for  Rockwell  early  Sunday  morning,  and  will  return 
from  Seattle,  Wash.,  in  three  of  the  new  P-12C'*s.  In  the  near  future  it  is 
planned  to  start  all  the  remaining  P-1231 s on  the  road  to  Rockwell , and  then  the 
94th  will  go  back:  to  the  P-11  s , which  are  now  being  used  by  the  27th  Pursuit 
Squadron. 

Selfridge  Field  followed  a new  plan  this  year  in  regard  to  its  football 
team.  Instead  of  having  a team  for  each  squadron,  and  one  for  the  post  as  well, 
it  was  decided  to  have  only  the  Post  team.  Lieut.  Harbold,  engineering  officer 
for  the  94th  Squadron,  was  selected  as  head  coach  for  the  team,  and  it  is  agreed 
by  all  that  the  choice  was  a good  one.  During  the  entire  season,  Selfridge  lost 
only  one  game.  This  xvas  a return  engagement  with  Port  Huron  and  was  a well 
fought  contest  even  though  we  came  home  with  the  small  end  of  the  score. 

As  proof  of  the  fact  that  Skippy"  did  not  expect  someone  else  to  do  all 
the  "dirty  work,"  we  find  him  blossoming  out  just  a few  days  before  the  Mitchell 
Trophy  Race  with  a "trusted"  nose.  A close  investigation  was  made  by  his  brother 
officers  in  the  94th,  and  it  seems  to  be  rather  a proven  fact  that  "Skippy" 
really  did  get  the  "bad"  nose  in  a football  game.  The  nose  seems  to  be  improving 
rapidly,  and  of  course  Coach  "Skippy".  is  improving  right  along  with  the  nose. 

It  is  one  of  the  customs  of  the  94th  Squadron  to  hold  forth  with  a rousing 
big  dinner  on  Thanksgiving  Day  each  year.  This  year  was  no  exception  to  the 
rule,  and  quite  a number  of  quests  were  invited,  including  Col . Eddie  Rickenbacke: 

Sgt . Hoffman,  who  seems  to  know  just  how  to  make  the  most  out  of  a dead 
turkey  and  all  the  trimrnins  that  go  with  it  , had  a most  appetizing  menu  -planned 
out. 

17th  Pursuit  Squadron;  On  November  25th,  Lieut,  Coleman  went  to  Washington 
with  the  94th  Squadron  to  participate  in  the  ceremonies  for  Col.Rickenbacker. 

The  main  trouble  encountered  in  the  maintenance  of  our  P-12C!s  so  far  has 
been  with  the  ring  cowling  brackets  breaking.  An  average  of  three  ships  were  out 
daily  because  of  broken  brackets.  The  Engineering  Officer  decided  to  take  the 
cowling  completely  off  until  stronger  bra  diets  could  be  procured  from  the  Boeing 
plant.  At  present  we  have  four  ships  fitted  with  the  new  brackets,  and  they 
have  given  no  trouble  to  date.  A decided  decrease  in  speed  and  maneuverability 
was  noticed  with  the  rings  off. 

On  November  6th  the  Squadron  was  assigned  two  new  officers,  who  just  report- 
ed from  the  Air  Corps  Advanced  Flying  School,  namely,  Lieuts.  Heiman  and  Merrill. 
We  now  have  sixteen  officers  in  the  Squadron  all  told. 

The  Squadron  made  preparations  for  a real  home-like  Thanksgiving  Dinner. 
Captain  Hoyt  authorized  the  spending  of  funds  for  decorations  and  ordered  a real 
good  job,  with  the  result  that  on  Thanksgiving  Day  the  personnel  did  not  recog- 
nize their  dining  room.  Invitations  were"  sent  to  all  officers  of  the  Squadron 

- 399  - V-6102, A. C. 


as  well  as  to  officers  of  the  field  who  wore  unattached. 

On  November  14th  Captain  Hoyt  flew  to  Grayling,  Mich.,  for  the  purpose  of 
hunting  deer,  spoiled  IKE-E-R.  He  got  one.  The  Captain  had  not  been  out  more 
than  15  minutes  on  Saturday  morning  before  he  had  his  deer.  He  reported  that 
the  bullet  went  in  at  the  base  of  one  of  the  antlers,  knocking  it  completely 
off. , 

On  Novemver  8th  Lieut.  Hixson  flew  to  Indianapolis,  Ind. , to  attend  a 
Reserve  Officers*  banquet. 

37th  Pursuit  Squadron;  During  the  month  three  additiona  ships  were  assign- 
ed to  the  Squadron,  bringing  the  total  up  to  22. 

Since  the  36th  Pursuit  Scuadron  was  organized  on  October  1,  1930,  the  fol- 
lowing officers  were  attached  for  flying  to  the  27th  Pursuit  awaiting  the  ar- 
rival of  the  P-6*s:  Lieuts.  Elliott,  Olsen,  Dr ignall  and  Johnson.-  Recently, 
several  P-6*s  arrived  at  this  station, • and  the  above  pilots  are  now  flying  ships 
of  their  own  organization. 

Pair  weather  prevailed  during  most  of  r the  month,  allowing  the  squadron  to 
participate  in  several. tactical  problems',  with  good  results. 

On  November  12,  1930,  lieuts.  Boatner,  LeMay  , McGuire  and  Davis  left  for 
Manistique  on  a hunting  trip.  It  is  understood  that  while  they  were  in  the 
wilds  of  Northern  Michigan  they  shot  three  deer. 

Throughout  the  month  the  27th  engaged  in  a strenuous  program,  and  the  P-l’s 
were  kept  in  first  class  condition  throughout  the  month. 

36th  Pursuit  Squadron;  Major  Brower  arrived' on  November  11th  with  the  fourth 
P-6,  and  Captain  Ott  and  Lieuts.  Griffith  and  Egan  proceeded  to  New  York  for 
three  more  ship's.  It  is  expected  that  within  a short  time  the  36th  will  have 
enough  planes  to  take  an  active  part  in  the  training  now  being  carried  on. 

San  Antonio  Air  Be wot , Duncan  Field,  San  Antonio,  Texas,  December  15th. 

Major  A.W.  Sohins,  Commanding  Officer;  Captain  C.E.  Branshaw,  Chief  Engin- 
eer Officer;  Lieuts.  L.S.  Webster,  Station  Supply  Officer  and  C.E.  Thomas,  Jr., 
Depot  Supply  Officer,  this  Depot,  attended  the  annual  Engineering  and  Supply 
Conference  held  at  Wright  Field,  Ohio,  Dec.  1st  to  5th.  They  reported  an  en- 
joyable and  beneficial  conference. 

Lieut.  Donald  F.  Fritch,  upon  completion  of  his  tour  of  duty  in  Panama,  will 
be  assigned  to  duty  at  this  Depot. 

Mr.  Stanley  W.  Richardson,  Wright  Field,  Dayton,  Ohio,  recently  visited 
here  to  instruct  personnel  concerned  and  correct  difficulties  encountered  in  the 
operation  of  machine  bookkeeping..  Visits  to  San  Antonio  stations  will  require 
about  two  weeks*  time,  after  which  he  will  proceed  to  the  Pacific  Coast. 

Lieut .-Colonel  Lewis  H.  Brereton,  Commanding  Officer  of  Air  Corps  Troops, 
Fort  Sill,  Okla, , leading  a formation  of  three  0-19* s,  arrived  here  December  1st 
for  the  purpose  of  having  these,  planes  inspected.  He  departed  for  Fort  Sill  on 
December  5th,  leading. a flight  of  three  G-19E*  s. 

Lieut.  Robert  D.  Moor,  Self ridge  Field,  leading  a flight  of  three  P-12B*s, 
arrived  here  Dec.  3rd,  departing  on  the  5th,  leading  a flight  of  five  of  these 
planes  bound  for  the  West  Coast. 

Captain  Howard  B.  Nurse,  Constructing  Quartermaster,  Fort  Sam  Houston, 

Texas,  and  2nd  Lt.  Elmer  E.  Kirkpatrick,  Jr.,  Q JMC,  Ft.  Sam  Houston,  visited  here 
Dec.  4th  for  conference  relative  to  location  of  a new  Oil  Reclamation  building. 

Lieut.  Charles  C.  Scott,  36th  Division  Aviation,  Texas  National  Guard, 
Houston,  arrived  in  .an  0-2  December  8th,  and  departed  same  date. 

Captain  George.!.  McEntire,  Boston  Airport , Mass.,  and  1st  Lt.  Charles  M. 
Cummings,  Instructor,  Ohio  National  Guard,  Cleveland  Airport , Ohio,  paid  an 
informal  visit  to  this  Depot  recently. 

First  Lieut.  Joseph  A.  Wilson,  Boston,  Mass. , enroute  to  the  West  Coast  in 
order  to  ferry  a plane  back  to  his  home  station,  paid  an  informal  visit  to  this 
Depot  on  Dec.  12th.  Lieut.  Wilson,  formerly  stationed  here  as  Utilities  Officer, 
took  the  opportunity  of  greeting  old  acquaintances. 

During  November  the.  following  production  of  airplanes  and  engines  vrere  turn- 
ed out  by  the  Engineering  Department  of  this  Depot:  Airplanes  overhauled:  2 A-3, 
1 B-5A,  3 BT-1 , 4 02-E,  1 0-193,  ' 2:  Pl-D,  2 Pl-F^  6 PT-3,  1 PMA,  1 PW-9C,  total 
23.  Airplanes  repaired  - 1 A-3,  2 A~3B,  2 BT-1,  1 BT-2B,  1 Condor,  1 C-7A, 

3 02-H,  1 0-19B,  1 Pl-B,  1 Pl-C,  1 P12-C,  1 PT-3,  1 PT-3A,  1 PW-9C,  1 02-M3, 
total  repaired,  19.  Engines  overhauled:  31  Curtiss  D-12,  10  Pratt  & Whitney,  30 
Wright  J-5,  2 Wright  J-6,  total  73;  Engines  repaired  - 27  Liberty,  2 Pratt  & 
Whitney,  6 Wright  J-6,  total  35. 


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V-6102.A.C. 


Rockwell  Field,  Coronado,  Calif,  ,_  December  5th, 

Lieut.  R.M.  McGlinn,of  the  95th  Pursuit  Squadron,  deserted,  the  f as t(  dimin- 
ishing ranks  of  RoafcwelX  Field  "bachelors.  The  ceremony  was  "performed  at  Red- 
wood City,  Calif.,  on  ho  vernier  27  th.  and  united  Lieut..  McGlinn  and  Miss  Cather- 
ine Comiskey  of  that  city.  Lieut.  George  E.Frice,  of  the  95th,  served  as  "best 
man.  After  a short  honeymoon,  the  newlyweds  returned  to  Coronado,  where  they 
are  now  at  home  to  their  host  of  friends  at  909  Olive  Avenue. 

Lieut,  and  Mrs.  Arthur  Ronin  recently  announced  the  arrival  of  a daughter, 
Delphine  Ann  Ronin.  Mother  and  daughter  are  reported  to  he  doing  nicely. 

Received  hy  the  Seventh  Bombardment  Group  - a Loening  Amphibian  Oa-lC, 
equipped  with  Liberty  motor,  inverted,  and  wheels,  retractable.  In  the  words 
of  a certain  local  officer  - ''how-:,  ain’t  that  sump- ini 11  According  to  latest 
red  hot  dispatches  from  the  Group  Operations  Office,  under  our  good  friend 
Capt.  Grisham,  said  Buck  will  be.  used  as  an  "alert  ship. " Each  day,  one  pilot 
of  the  Group  will  be  detailed  as  the  "alert  pilot"  (we  wonder),  and  will  be  re- 
quired to  make  two. landings  on  water  as  well  as  two  on  land.  Many  wagers  are 
being  offered  as  to  the  length  of  time  the  trusty  Loening  will  stand  up  under 
the  "alert"  system. 

Rockwell  Field  has  a tennis  team.  Entered  in  the  Bay  City  Tennis  League  in 
the  face  of  some  rather  stiff  competition,  the  squad  has. put  up  a creditable 
showing  despite  some  very  severe  handicaps.  Play  in  the  league  marches  is 
helping  to  develop  everyone 9 s game  \7hich  will  prove  of  . ill  omen  to  the  March 
Field  aggregation  when  the  inter- field  match  is  played.  The  team  is  comprised 
of  Lieuts.  Charles  H.  Howard,  Stanley  K.  Robinson,  Carl  B.  Fry,  Russell  W. 

Munson,  Ivan  L.  Farman  and  John  U. . Stone. 

Captain  Miles  W.  Kresge  addressed  the  local  reserve  school  December  4th  on 
the  subject  of  Aerial  Bombing.  The  scope  of  Captain  Kresge 1 s talk  was  closely 
allied  with  the  recent  bombing  tests  conducted  at  Fort  Sill,  Ckla.  The  San 
Diego  reserve  organization  is  deeply  interested  in  the  work  done  at  Rockwell,  and 
members  of  this  command  are  fostering  every  opportunity  to  help  the  Reserve, 
cause  along. 

The  squash  teams  of  Rockwell  Field  and  the  University  Club  of  San  Francisco 
are  to  meet  in  the  near  future  to  decide  which  outfit  is  the  strongest  in  this 
kind  of  sport.  Each  squad  has  one  victory  to  their  credit,  and  the  coming 
encounter  promises  thrills  aplenty.: 

Major  Barton  K.  Yount,  Commanding  Officer,  accompanied  by  Lieuts.  C.P. 

Kane,  Depot  Supply  Officer;  B.M.  Giles,  Chief  Engineering.  Officer;  and  33. M. 
Robbins,  Station  Supply  Officer,  of  the  .Rockwell  Air  Depot,  departed  via  rail 
Nov,  26th  for  Wright  Field,  to  attend  the  annual  Engineering-Supply  Conference. 

Major  A.L.  Sneed  arrived  at  this  station  Nov.  3rd,  ferrying  a Douglas  BT2-3 
to  his  home  station,  Fairfield  Air  Depot.  While  here,  Major  Sneed  renewed 
acquaintances  with  officers  and  civilian  personnel  who  served  under  his  command 
when  he  was  at  Rockwell  Field. 

Captain  John  M.  Clark,  Mather  Field,  arrived:  Nov.  18th  to  confer  with 
Major  Yount  and  Lieut.  Kane  relative  to  the  Air  Corps  supply  situation  at  his 
home  station. 

During  the  month  of  November,  the  Depot  Supply  made  a total  of  249  shipments' 
of  Air  Corps  supplies  to  activities  in  the  control  area.  During  this  same 
period,  188  shipments  were  received  from  manufacturers,  contractors,  and  other 
Air  Co  rips  stations. 

Fairfield,  Ohio,  Air  Dewot , December  2nd.  . 

The  following  are  a few  of  the  visitors  at  this  station  during  the  past  two 
weeks:  Lieuts.  Ehudy  and  Slaght  from  Self  ridge  Field  on  cross-country  mission, 
Nov.  15th;  Lieut.  McConnell  and  Mr.  Be try,  Norton  Field,  Nov,  17th,  on  cross- 
country mission;  Lieut.  Lanagan  from  Chanute  Field,  Nov.  17th,  for  minor  repairs 
on  an  0-25  airplane;  Capt.  Williams  and  Lieut.  Seaton,  Nashville,  Tenn. , Nov. 
18th,  on  cross-country  mission;  Major  Kelly,  Norton  Field,  Nov.  18th;  Lieut. 
Persons,  Maxwell  Field,  Nov.  18th  in  an  0-19  for  major  overhaul;  Capt.  Colgan 
and  Lieut.  Mitchei,  Lunken  Airport,  Nov.-  18th  on  cross-country  mission;  Lieut. 
Phillipi,  Norton  Field,  and  Lieut.  Winnings  with  Lieut.  Bourg  as  passenger,  Lieut 
Fields  with  Sgt.  Kinder  as  passenger,  Schoen  Field,  Nov.  20th,  on  cross-country 
missions;  Lieuts.  Souza,  Burgess,  Privates.  Evans,  Smith  and  Sgt.  Jackson,-  Chanute 
Field,  Nov.  19th,  for  motor  change;  Lieut.  Lidster,  Self ridge  Field,  Lieut. 

- 401  r-  V-6102,A.C. 


Hewitt,  Little  Hock,  Ark.,  and  %jor  Grom,  Offut  Field,  Nov.  21st  for  major 
overhauls;  Cant.  Ott  with  three  passengers  from  Selfridge- Field,  and  Liept,  : 
Cummings  with  Lieut.  McQuiikin  as  passenger,  arrived  on  the  21st  on  cross 
country  missions  - Captains  McCulTum  and  Vance,  Bowman  Field;  Major  Mann,  and 
Sgt.  Carmichael,  Chicago,  Nov.  22nd,  enroute  on  cross-country  missions;  Lieut. 

Al verson  and  Sgt.  Webster,  Horton  Field,  Nov.  23-rd,  enroute  on  cross-country, 
missions  - Lieut.  Longfellow  with  five  passengers,  Nov.  24th,  from  Bolling 
Field  enroute  to  Chanute  Field  - Captain  George,  Lieuts.  Ranting,  - Timberlake-,  ■ 

El linger , Schlater  and  Fit zmaurice, France  Field,'  Nov.  24th,  from  Cleveland,  ■ 
enroute  to  Stout  Field  - Lieut,  Heed,  Self ridge  Field,  Nov.  24th  for  a motor, 
change  - Lieut.  Craigie,  France  Field,  Nov.  25th,  enroute  to  Scott  Field  on 
cross-country  mission  - Lieut.  Zimmeiitan,  Norton  Field,  Nov.  25th  on  cross-county 
mission  - Major.  McDonnell  and  Lieut.  Baddon,  Bolling  Field;  Capt.  Pascale  with 
four  passengers,  Langley  Field,  Nov.  27th  enroute  on  cross-country  missions  - 
Lieut.  Newhall  with  Sgt.  Ossler,  Chicago,  111.;  and  Lieut.  Jackson  with  Private 
Wheelover,  Chanute  Field,  Nov.  28tli,  on  cross-country  missions  - Lieut.  Lucas 
V.  Beau,  Jr. , Air  Corps . Instructor , 45th  Division  Aviation,  Colorado  National' 
Guard,  Nov.  19th,  to  ferry  to  his  home  station,  Lowry  Field,  an  02-H  airplane 
overhauled  at  this  Depot. 

Major  A.L.  Sneed  attended  the  Army  - "otre  Dare  game  at  Chicago, Nov.  29th . 

Lieut  ..  Melvin  B.  Asp,  accompanied  "by  Lieut  .-Col.  L.E.  C-oodier,  Jr  . , also 
attended  the  Army-Notre  Dame  game  at  Chicago. 

Second  Liejut.  LeojrW.  Armour,  Air  Heserve,  reported  Dec.  1st  for  a two 
weeks1,  tour  o’f  active  duty..  .He  was  assigned  to  the  Supply  Department. 

Another  11  Get-Together  Party, ri  sponsored  by  the  Wilbur  Wright ' Officers’ 

Cluh,  was  held  at  Side  Slip.  Inn.  on  Friday  .evening,'  Nov.  21st,  and  was  enjoyed 
hy  everyone,  present . ... 

nThe  .Women'  s Aeronautical'  Association"  pve  a luncheon  Nov.  25th  at  the 
Officers1  Club,  at.  which  time,,  the.  contract  bridge  lessons  given  by -Mrs*'  James- 
Hunt  were  continued. ' v "• 

Fairfield, , Chip’, , Air  Depot,  Deck'  16th. ' ' ■'  <■  ■ '■■ 

Major  A.L.  Sneed,  Commanding  Officer;  Cabt. -Edward  Lauglilin,'  Engineer 
Officer;  Lieuts.  George  V.  McPike,  Dep.pt  Supply  Officer  and  John 'A.  Austin, 
Station  Supply  Officer,  attended  the  Engineering-  Supply  Pnnfcrence ^at  Wright 
Field,  December  1st  to  4th. 

Capt.  Edward  Laughlin  departed  on  20  days  leave  of  absence  Dec*  7th, during 
which  time  he  visited  in  Trenton,..  N.J. , and  New  York  City.  - 

Lieut.  Frederick  M.  Hopkins,'  Jr.,  departed  for  Pope  Field,  Dec. '5th,  to 
obtain  an  0-19  airplane  to  be  overhauled’  at  this  station.  He  returned  on  the 
10th. 

The  Officers’  Clu.b  was  twice  the  scene  of  social  functions  in  the  past  two 
weeks  - a Dance  on  December  2nd  for  the  entertainment  of  the  officers  attending 
the  Engine ering-Supply  Conference,  and.  their  wives;  and  another  Get-Together 
Party  on  December  13th. 

Among  those  visiting  the  post  during  the  past  two  weeks;,  the  following 
were  noted:  Lieuts.  Alexander  and  Harris  from  Pope  Field,  Dec.  2nd,  for  minor 
repairs  to  0-19  airplane  - Capt.  Pascale  and  four  passengers,  Langley  Field, 

Dec.  2nd,  enroute  from  Self ridge  Field  to  Langley  Field;  Capt.  Stromme,  France 
Field,  Dec.  2nd,  enroute  from  3uffalo  to  Scott  Field  oh  cross-country  mission  - 
Lieuts.  Peck  and  Norton,  Maxwell  Field,  Dec.  2nd,  on  cross-country  mission  from 
Bowman  Field  to  Maxwell  Field,-  Lieuts.  Anderson  and  Marriner.  from  Chanute  Field 
Dec.  2nd  on  cross-country  flight  - Lieut.  Parker,  Selfridge'  Field,  Dec.  4th,  •• 
for  change  of  motor  - Capt.. Wright  and  Pvt.  Barrack,  Hi chiirdk "Field , from  Schoen 
Field,  Dec.  8th,  for  major  overhaul  - Lieut.  Davis,  Self ridge'  Field,  Dec.  '8th, 
enroute  from  Maxwell  Field  to  Selfridge  Field  on  cross-country  mission  - Capt.  • 
Hayes  and  Lieut.  Harris,  Scott  Field,  Dec.  8th,  enroute  to'  Bolling  Field  - Lieut. 
Ballard  with  nine  passengers  from  Self ridge  Field  on  Dec.  9th  - Lieuts.  Maitland,' 
Patrick,  Drumm,  Schramm,  Boeker  and  Palmer,  Kelly  Field,  Dec.  9th,  on  cross- 
country mission  - Lieut.  Brownfield,  Marshall  Field,  Dec.  9th,  for  major  overhaul 
of  his  plane  - Lieut.  Johnson,  Selfridge  Field,  Dec.  11th,  for  change  of  motor  - 
Lieut.  Webster,  of  Brainard  Field,  December  11th,  on  cross-country  mission  to 
Bolling  Field. 


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V-6102,A*-C^‘ 


Crissy  Field,  presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Calif. : 


The  Crissy  Field,  basketball  team  lost  the  first  game  of  the  season  to  H Co, 
30th  Inf.;  score  22  to  18.  C Co.,  30th,  defeated  us  on  November  28th  to  the 
tune  of  30  to  11.  On  Dec.  5th,  Crissy  Field  defeated  the  presidio  Athletic  Club 
33  to  9.  Crissy  Field  plays  basketball  games  every  Friday  night  in  the  post 
Gymnasium,  which  was  formerly  the  ROTC  hangar.  Usually  there  will  be  one  or 
two  games  played  there  by  outside  teams,  so  that  thereasrs  three  hours  or  more 
of  entertainment  every  Friday  evening  for  those  who  wish  to  watch. 

A baseball  league,  playground  variety,  started  Dec.  2d.  Five  teams  were 
made  up  out  of  the  personnel  of  the  Post,  so  that  every  department  was  represen- 
ted. The  officers  made  one  team,  and  the  departments  are  divided  up  into  4 
teams  of  enlisted  men;  the  Photo  Section,  Line,  Supply  and  Headquarters.  The 
interest  is  quite  keen,  and  there  is  good  material  on  all  teams.  There  is  so 
much  interest  that  now  the  men  like  to  play  and  look  forward  to  the  games,  and 
play  whenever  possible.  The  league  has  20  games  scheduled  and  in  ten  days,  9 
of  the  league  games  have  been  run  off.  It  was  thought  that  20  games  would  be 
too  much,  and  the  league  was  an  experiment.  The  results  were  better  than  hoped 
for.  At  present  the  standing  percentage  is;  Officer,  800;  Supply,  667;  Line, 
500;  Photo  Section,  250;  Hq. , gero. 

An  inter-departmental  tracm  and  field  meet  held  Nov.  26th,  in  the  morning 
from  8; 30  to  11; 45  included  the  following  events;  A 100-yard  relay;  75-yard 
sprint;  potato  race;  rescue  race;  sack  race;  three-legged  race  and  other  old 
standbys.  The  meet  ended  up  in  a play-ground  baseball  game  between  the  officers 
and  enlisted  men,  the  officers  losing.  So  much  fun  was  the  result  of  the  ball 
game  that  the  ball  league  was  started.  A beautiful  plaque,  called  the  YMCA 
Trophy,  donated  by  the  presidio  YMCA,  was  won  by  the  Line.  Score  for  the  meet 
was:  Line,  30;  Hq.  ,24;  Transportation,  17;  Materiel,  7.  The  meet,  was  a success. 
Officials  were  "Tex"  Hunter , (YMCA)  Referee;  Capt.  Prosser,  A.C.,  Starter;  Lieut. 
Brewer,  Air-Res.,  in  charge  of  the  meet;  Lieut.  Boudreaux,  Clerk  of  Course; 

Lieut.  Upston,  A.C.,  Lieut.  Ted  Smith, Air  Res.  and  Lieut.  Crew,  Air  Res.,  JtfcsSges. 

Crissy  Field’s  new  tennis  court  is  about  98^  completed.  It  has  a foundation 
that  will  last  through  the  next  war,  and  the  court  is  conveniently  located  be- 
tween Headquarters  and  the  Reserve  Hangar. 

Monday,  Dec.  22d,  was  the  appointed  day  for  a smoker  for  the  entire  post 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Athletic  Officer,  Lieut.  Brewer.  Features  of  the 
Smoker  were;  Music,  that  is,  Jazz;  8 rounds  of  amateur  fights  and  smokes.  The 
30th  Infantry  loaned  their  ring  for  use  that  evening. 

Lieut.  E.B.  Abbey  of  the  Buildings^ & Ground  sDD iv i ion'1'  from  the  Chief  of 
the  Air  Corps’  office  was  here  for  a few  days  to  confer  with  Col.  Lahn  in  re- 
gard to  the  speeding  up  cf  the  buildings  at  the  new  Marin  Bombing  Base.  All  of 
the  Bay  District  are  very  much  interested  in  the  opening  up  of  both  of  the  new 
fields  - Alameda  Repair  Depot  and  the  new  field  in  Marin  County. 

FOOTBALL 

KELLY  FIELD  WINS  OVER  AIR  COBPS  RIVALS 
By  Jack  R.  Germaine,  Army  Sports  Correspondent. 

The  fighting  Flyers  from  Kelly  Field  defeated  their  Air  Corps  rivals,  the 
Brooks  Field  Maroons,  6 to  0,  on  Thanksgiving  Day  and  ended  the  season  in  a 
deadlock  for  first  place  honors  with  the  1929  champions,  the  Twfenty-third  In- 
fantry Doughboys,  in  the  San  Antonio  Army  Football  League. 

An  extra  game  will  be  necessary  to  decide  the  championship  and  will  be 
played  on  New  Year’s  Day  between  the  Kelly  Field  Airmen  and  the  23d  Infantry 
Doughboys.  The  final  standing  is  an  exact  duplication  of  last  year,  both  the 
Flyers  and  the  Doughboys  being  tied  for  first  place  at  the  close  of  the  seasoh. 
the  Infantrymen  from  Ft.  Sam  Houston  finally  emerging  victors  after  a three- 
game  series,  tv/o  of  which  ended  in  ties. 

The  battle  for  the  "Air  Corps  football  supremacy ” was  waged  on  the  Brooks 
Field  gridiron  under  ideal  summer  weather  conditions  before  a crowd  estimated 
at  3500  soldiers  and  civilians. 

The  Game. 

Brooks  Field  won  the  toss  and  chose  to  defend  the  north  goal.  Cundiff, 

Kelly  end,  kicked  off  to  Smith,  who  made  a 12-ya.rd  return  to  his  own  25-yard 
line.  The  Maroon  backs,  headed  by  Smith,  star  halfback,  plunged  through  the 

- 403  - V-6102,A.C. 


mighty  forward  wall  of  the  Kelly  Field  Flyers  for  two  consecutive  first  downs, 
placing  the  pigskin  on  Kelly’ s '32-yard  line  "before  they  were  halted.  Kelly 
Field  duplicated  the  Maroon' s feat,  rushing  the  "ball  to  the'  Maroons'  20-yard 
line,  featuring  a sensational  aerial  attack  that  amazed  the  Brooks  Field  grid- 
ironers.  A series  of  criss-cross  plays  moved  the  "ball  within  the  shadow  of  the 
Maroons'  goal -post  where  Turner,  Kelly  "back,  plunged  over  the  center  of  the  line 
for  the;  touchdown,  the  only  one  of  the  game,  and  what  turned  out  to  "be  the  win- 
ning margin.  Cundiff's  try  for  extra  point  failed  when  a trio  of  Maroon  tack- 
lers  rushed  through  to  smear  his  kick. 

The  opening  quarter' ended  shortly  thereafter  with. Kelly  Field  in  posses- 
sion of  the  "ball  on  Brooks'  '33-yard  line. 

During- the  second  quarter,  the  Flyers,  headed  by  Parton,  Mylnchek  and  Tur- 
ner, carried  the  "ball  to  the  Maroons'  25-yard  line,  where  Decuir,  Maroon  "back, 
intercepted  a pass. 

Again,  Kelly  Field  threatened  to  score  when  a 35-yard  pass  from  Par ton  to 
Hcltzclaw  was  successful,  placing  the  "ball  on  the  Maroons'  43-yard  line,  Vick 
"broke  through  for  a substantial  gain,  setting  the  ball  On  the  enemy's  24-yard 
line.  It  was  at  this  time  rthat  Kelly  fumbled  and  porter,  stellar  tackier  for 
Brooks  recovered,  ending  another  Kelly  Field  threat. 

In  the  final  quarter,  Sartain  punted  to  Kelly  Field's  18-yard  line,  a 53- 
yard  punt.  Two  line  plays  failed  to  net  the  Kelly  backs  any  yardage,  and  on  at- 
tempting a trick-play,  Turner  fumbled  and  Van  Deventer  recovered  for  Brooks 
Field,  Two  off-tackle  plunges  by  Sartain  netted  nine  yards,  putting  the  ball 
on  Kelly's  9-yard  line.  This  was  the  first  time  during  the  game  that  the  Ma- 
roons really  threatened  to  score.  Freeman  missed  a first  down  by  inches,  and 
Kelly  took  the  ball  on  downs,  Parton  punting  out  of  danger  as  the  gun  sounded, 
ending  the  game. 

Outstanding  performers  included  Sartain,  Smith,  Pratt,  porter  and  Van  De- 
venter for  the  Brooks  Field  Maroons,  and  Mylnczek,  Turner,  Parton  and  Holtzclaw 
for  the  Kelly  Field  Flyers  -> 

Score  by  Quarters;  Kelly  Field  6 0 0 0-6 

Brooks  Field  0 0 0 0 -0 

Scoring  Touchdowns;  Kelly  Field  (Turner);  First  Downs;  Kelly  Field  (6), 
Brooks  Field  (4);  penalties;  Kelly  Field  - 6 for  65  yards;  Brooks  Field  - 3 
for  25  yards. 

DOUGHBOYS  WIN  FIRST  EIGHTH  CORPS  AREA  BATTLE  FROM  BROOKS  FIELD 
By  Jack  R,  Germaine,  Army  Sports  Correspondent. 

Lieut.  "Spike"  Nave's  Twenty-third  Infantry  Doughboys  from  Ft. Sam  Houston, 
undefeated  in  the  recent  San  Antonio  Army  football  loop,  opened  its  bid  for 
Eighth  Corps  Area  football  laurels,  scoring  a 13-0  victory  over  the  Brooks  .Field 
Maroons  in  the  opening  game  of  the  Eighth  Corps  Area  football  tournament. 

The  game  was  played  under  ideal  football  weather  conditions  before  a crov?d 
estimated  at  3000  on  the  Ft. Sam  Houston  gridiron,  Saturday  afternoon. 

The  Aviators  from  Brooks  Field  never  had  a chance  against  the  rugged  Dough-*- 
boy  combination  that  clicked  like  a veteran  machine  from  the  opening  whistle  till 
the  final  gun,  piling  up  eighteen  first  downs  as  compared  with  two  by  their 
opponents . 

Doughboys  Score  on  Pass  in  First  Quarter. 

The  Infantrymen  from  Ft. Sam  Houston  scored  once  in  the  initial  quarter. 
Taking  the  ball  on  their  own  -52-yard  line  shortly  after  the  opening  kickoff, 
Umberger,  Paine  and  Nave,  with  their  terrific  line  plunges  and  off-tackle 
smashes  carried  the  ball  deep  in  the  Maroon  territory  when  a pass  from  Umberger 
to  Minnis,  a six-foot-four  right  end,  was  over  the  goal  and  complete  for  a 
touchdown.  Sartain,  Maroon  quarterback,  made  a valiant  attempt  to  bust  up  the 
pass  but  fulled  when  the  pigskin  landed  square  in  the  arms  of  the  waiting 
Doughboy,  Minnis.  A pass  from  Lieut.  Nave  to  Umberger  clear  out  to  the  right 
end  of  the  field  was  complete  for  the  extra  point. 

The  second  quarter  failed  to  see  any  team  score  although  the  Doughboys 
threatened.  The  Maroons  seemed  to  brace  up  considerably  but  were  still  lacking 
with  offensive  power. 

The  second  and  final,  touchdown  of  the  Doughboys  came  in  the  middle  of  the 
third  quarter.  Taking  the  kick  on  his  own  five-yard  line,  Umberger,  of  the 

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Doughboys,  evaded  a half-dozen  Maroon,  tacklers  before  being  downed,  after  a 45- 
yard  run.  Again  .the.-- ■ offensive,  punch  of  the  Infantrymen  came  to.  life,  marching’ 
straight  down  the  field  with  Faine.,  Umberger  and  Doshinko  leading  .the  attack. 
Umberger  plowed  through  the  .center  of  the  Maroon  line  for  the  touchdown.  Nave’s 
kick  for  the  extra  point  was  wild  and  the  third  quarter  ended  13-0. 

The  Maroons  displayed  their  only  real  football  in  the  final  quarter  when 
they  completed  a forward, pass  that  netted  them. seventy-five  yards,  A bullet 
pass  of  ten  yards  from  Sartain  to  Freeman  was  complete,  the  Maroon  quarterback 
galloping  65  yards  before  being  overtaken  by  Umberger.  . It  looked  like  the 
Brooks  Field  Flyers  were  going: to . cross  the  chalk-line  of  the  Doughboys.  Their 
threat  was  halted  on  the  Dough  in  yfi  ’ ten-yard  line  where  they  hit  a stone  wall, 
failing  to  net  any  yardage  ■ on-  four  plays.  The  game  ended  r shortly  afterwards 
with  the  Infantrymen  in  possession  of  the.  ball  in  midfield.  .. 

The  bands  from  the  Air  Corps  Training  Center  and  the  Twenty- third  Infantry 
were  on  hand  for  this  colorful  occasion. 

A radio  public- speaking  unit  was  installed  by  the  Second  Signal  Company  of 
Ft. Sam  Houston- where  Capt.  Shelton,  an  expert  announcer,  kept  the  spectators 
informed  as  to  the  progress  of  the  game  and  all  the  outstanding  features. 


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